Page 51 of Strength

We carried the food and drinks out to the deck, where Charlie was sitting at the table and throwing the stick for Tank.

“I knew you two would become fast friends,” I said as I set down the platter of food.

Charlie patted Tank’s head. “He’s such a cool dog. How long have you had him?”

“Since he was six months old. He was the last of an unwanted litter who was dumped at the pound a couple of years back. He was instrumental in helping me transition out of the Navy and into civilian life.”

“Were you on a ship in the Navy?”

“I sure was.”

Charlie’s eyes lit up.

“I worked down in Australia, too.”

Charlie looked at me. “Mom, that’s where you’re from! Did you know my mom back then?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“I didn’t even have you back then, Charlie,” Olivia said as she helped her son make his sandwich.

Charlie stuck his nose into the air. “I’ll bet your life was so boring.”

I noticed Olivia’s momentary hesitation, but she was good at covering it up. “I couldn’t imagine my life without you, kiddo.”

Olivia and I shared a knowing smile.

“So, I was thinking, since you go back to work this week, Emmett, that maybe I could find a casual evening job somewhere here a couple of nights a week,” Olivia said as she picked up a stray piece of lettuce.

“That sounds good. What did you have in mind?”

“Maybe waitressing or bartending. It wouldn’t pay much, but if I pay out the break in the lease agreement quickly, that shouldn’t matter.”

“Maybe you could finally study for that nursing degree.”

Olivia’s eyes darkened. “I don’t think that will ever happen.”

“Never say never.” I winked at her and she blushed.

I enjoyed our easy conversation while we ate our lunch and drank the fresh orange juice. I was looking forward to sharing my space with these two. Olivia, because I couldn’t get her out of my damn mind, and Charlie, because he was a good kid.

After lunch, Charlie took some painkillers and went for a nap.

“He’s out like a light,” Olivia said as she stood by the bench at the entrance to the kitchen.

I closed the dishwasher door and went over to her. “He’s had a lot of excitement this morning. I think it took it out of him.” I rested my hand on the bench. “You’re both much happier already. I love seeing that.”

“It’s all thanks to you.” Olivia dropped her hand over my own.

We both paused.

My blood raced through my body at her touch. I stroked her hand then closed mine around hers. I pulled her against me. “I want to lose control with you, Olivia. I haven’t had you to myself for weeks.”

Olivia ran her hands over my shoulders. “Now’s our chance to reconnect.”

We kissed and my body went into overdrive. As our tongues danced together, my hands crept beneath her T-shirt and she tore at mine. I needed to feel her warm skin, I needed to taste her. I wanted to show her how much I’d missed her body these last few weeks.

Olivia took her T-shirt off and tossed it onto one of the kitchen benches and I followed suit. Olivia broke the kiss and traced her nails over my pecs, down my abs to my beltline. Her fingers slipped beneath my jeans and teased me a little without actually touching my cock.

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