Page 65 of Retribution

Her head darts to the direction of Willow, who is engaged with a YouTube video she’s chosen. She turns her attention back to me, her breathing ragged and heavy.

I lean down to her face and tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. Bringing myself closer to her ear, I whisper, “Stay.”

She can’t resist my touch.

The feeling of her body pressed against mine heightens my longing for her. It reminds me of every reason I’ve been fixated on her with the smell of her perfume offering a temptation that I don’t even want to refuse. She hasn’t answered my question, she just stares at me with her mouth parted– the mouth I so badly want to taste right now.

Bringing my face closer to hers, I hear her breath hitch. I nudge my nose against hers to try and prompt an answer. Her eyes flutter closed, and I can feel the heat of her breath radiating onto my own. She’s trying to talk herself out of staying, but we both already know her answer.

“Stay.” I repeat and trail my lips along her jaw, squeezing her hips slightly.

She begins to nod, her nostrils flaring. Offering a sly grin, I pull away from her.

“Pizza or noodles?” I shout towards Willow.

“Pizza!” she drags out, laying further back onto the couch and propping her legs up.

I turn back to face Indie, and she looks at me with a defeated face, knowing I’ve coerced her into staying.

“Oh, one more question Indie,” Willow shouts.

“Mm-hmm.” Indie doesn’t trust her own voice right now, I’m betting that it would betray every single emotion she is feeling inside.

She is most certainly starved, a hunger that only I can fulfill. A desperation so primal, she’s letting it overtake her instincts as I torment her, bait her into setting foot right inside of my territory. Little does she know that I plan to devour her in every way possible.

“Pineapple on pizza or not?” The million-dollar question.

Or in this case, two-million dollars.

“Absolutely it does.” She speaks with confidence.

Me and Willow look at each other, our eyes growing wide.

Thank, God.

Indie looks between us as me and Lo send signals between our gaze, preparing to crack.

“Woo-hoo!” Willow stands up and begins jumping up and down on the sofa doing her ‘happy dance’.

Indie lets out a sigh of relief, chuckling.

“Hawaiian pizza it is then,” I confirm, leaving the room to order.

***

Willow is crashed out between me and Indie, the Beauty and the Beast end credits roll, the room darkening in the process. We consumed the entire pizza between us, ate hot cookies and drank a ridiculous amount of soda.

I stand up, stretching my limbs before peering down at Willow who is snuggled against Indie. Indie glances up at me wearing that adorable smile that makes her dimples pop.

Damn, she is stunning.

I carefully scoop Willow up into my arms, setting Indie free, and whisk her away to her bedroom. She is already in her daisy covered pajamas, her hair plastered across her sweaty forehead. I lay her down into the bed and peel back the fresh pink bedspread, her choice of course, and place it back over her, tucking her in tight.

Leaning over, I brush the hair out of her face, a slight snore escaping from her. I wrap my arms around her and place a tender kiss on her cheek, cherishing every single second. Her eyelashes are long and wispy, her skin as smooth as silk, her nose is lightly dotted with tiny freckles.

I realize I’m smiling deeper than I have in months, my heart almost hurts with the amount of love I feel looking at my little girl. I kiss her one last time on her forehead and walk out of the room, closing the door quietly.

Grabbing my cell out of my pocket, I send Bridget a text, telling her there’s no need for her to come over tonight. I have a small feeling that tonight isn’t going to be spent the usual way, wallowing in self-pity and bourbon.

---