Page 48 of The Third Girl

Dennis’s voice comes out low and rough, his face turning beet red. “It’s too goddamn soon for you to be seeing anyone, no matter who she is. Terri’s barely in the ground.”

I try to hold my tongue, but in the end, I can’t. “Your daughter’s been gone over a year. I deserve to be allowed to move on with my life. Terri would want that for me. She wouldn’t want me to suffer forever.”

“That doesn’t mean she’d want you moving on with some youngwhore.”Stephanie throws her arms out from her sides. “Honestly, Matthew, what do you do, pay her to watch your child at night, and she also takes care of you in the morning? What exactly does she charge for that?”

What. The. Fuck.

She’s only stopped by Sailor tugging on her pants. “Ice cweam?”

Fortunately, she gets herself under control. “Yes, sweetie. Let’s go. Daddy has clearly lost his mind.”

I have no fucking clue how I manage it, but I tamp down my anger to walk out with them. I always ensure Sailor’s properly strapped in. Opening the door, I hoist her into the car. At least I know the seat is properly installed because I did it myself. She climbs into it, and I busy myself getting the straps just right while Stephanie and Dennis look on. “Remember, they’re meant to be snug. And the chest strap needs to be pretty high. Near her nipples.”

Stephanie rolls her eyes. “Got it. We did raise a child to adulthood.”

And I can see it on their faces. But Terri’s no longer here, and it’s all my fault.Got it.I lean in, softly kissing Sailor’s cheek. “Be good for Granny and Grandad, okay? I’ll see you when they bring you back.” I squeeze her chubby thigh, then back out of the vehicle. “What time should I expect you?”

“Probably a few hours. Maybe by one or two.”

I nod, then watch them get into the vehicle. I wave at Sailor through the window, feeling a tiny part of my heart going away with them. I hate it.

I watch until they get to the end of the street, turn, and are out of view. For several moments, I stay there, hands on my hips, staring off into the distance. Finally, with a deep sigh, I turn and head back up to the house. The door opens as I approach it. My heart clenches. If Skylar heard any of what Stephanie said, I feel awful. Jogging up the steps, I stop at the threshold, blocking the way. “Don’t go.”

Skylar’s head tilts to the side. “You want me to stay?”

I let out a heavy breath. “Yes.” I step forward, which makes Skylar back up a pace to give me room to close the door behind me. My gaze connects with hers and holds. I don’t know if she can see the plea in my eyes, so I vocalize my wishes. “Stay. Please.” In one quick move, I haul her to me and hold her in my embrace for what seems like a long time, our arms wrapped around each other like we’ll never let go.

Her body relaxes into mine, and I feel her nod against my chest. “Okay,” she agrees.

My life has been shit for a year. But when I hold Skylar, everything falls away. I will always love Terri. But Skylar is a balm to my wounded soul. She makes me feel like someday I might be myself again. And I want to be. For my child. And for her.

Inhaling her soft scent and pressing my lips into her hair, I murmur, “Let’s go upstairs. I’m ready to crash.”

She nods, then looks up at me, questioning.

“Come lie down with me. You can nap. Or read if you’re not tired. But I’d really love for you to stay with me.” Easing away, I take her hand, lacing our fingers together. I inhale slowly through my nose, and my brows draw together as I think about what we’re doing. This is big. But I’m ready to focus on things that make me happy. And Skylar does just that.

Upstairs, I tug her with me all the way into the bathroom, then stamp a kiss to her lips as I begin to divest myself of my uniform. In the process of unbuttoning my shirt, I step over to the walk-in shower, lean in, and pull the lever toward me to heat the water.

When I turn back around, Skylar is eyeing me with interest. Undisguised lust. I wet my lips, coming back over to stand in front of her as I slip my shirt from my shoulders. “Get undressed.”

Her exhale feathers slowly over her lips. She blinks up at me, responding to my quiet demand. “You want me in the shower with you?”

“Damn right, I do.” I stoop to take off my shoes and socks, then stand and drop my pants, along with my boxer briefs. Kicking them away, I arch a brow at her. “Something wrong?” I snag my phone off the counter and pull up an alternative rock playlist that I think she’ll like.

“Um.” She tilts her head to the side, staring at me with a funny look on her face, her cheeks burn pink.

I stare right back.

And then her gaze wanders, slipping down my body. I physically feel the way she drinks me in, and everywhere her eyes travel, they leave a hungry caress behind. My shoulders, my pecs, my abs, my dick… I step closer. “Come here.” I hold out my hand to her, wanting her to make the last step.

Her teeth catch her lip, and she gives me a small smile, reaching down and pulling her T-shirt over her head. She must have put on a sports bra before coming back downstairs with Sailor earlier. She peels it off, and her cheeks only redden more as she stands before me, topless. Her nipples are the palest pink, her skin as smooth as can be. I’m anxious to put my mouth on her, to touch every inch of her beautiful body. She’s petite, but curvy in all the right places. If I thought my dick was as hard as it could get before, I was mistaken. It aches for her. My heart thuds wickedly in my chest, each beat calling out to hers.

At the sides of her joggers, her thumbs catch at the waistband. She falters, glancing up at me.

I huff out a breath, finally realizing that she’s nervous about having her period. I draw her to me, tip her face up to mine, and cradle it between my palms. I brush my lips over hers and stroke my tongue into her mouth. She’s the sweetest thing, and I want to lap her up, devour her, taste her everywhere.

She moans, clutching at my waist with both hands. Her perky breasts brush lightly against my abs at first, then more firmly. Considering the first time we had sex, we were mostly clothed, it’s a shock to my system to feel her bare skin against mine. But fuck, it feels good. I’ve missed being close to someone like this. And now, with her, I crave it.

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