After Us (Next Generation #6) - J.M. Walker Page 0,37

head against my shoulder. “I think I know why we’re having issues.”

“Oh?”

She lifted her head. “We haven’t had much time alone. This is new for both of us. I’ve never been in a serious relationship and neither have you. So we’re bound to have some bumps along the way.”

I kissed her jaw. “We got this, and I got you, Piper,” I murmured, placing a soft peck on the top of her head. “I always got you.”

“I know and I have you as well, Jaron.” She snuggled against me. “But it’s only been not even three full days yet. We don’t have to fall into a routine right away.”

“True but I’m not a patient person.”

She sat up, a gasp leaving her. “No. I never would have guessed that.”

“Careful.” I jabbed a finger into her side, earning me a giggle. “You’re not patient either.”

Her laugh deepened. “Let’s just wait a little bit and we can get groceries later.”

I pinched her chin and covered her mouth with mine.

She moaned, wrapping herself around me.

I grinned against her lips, giving the bottom one a gentle bite.

While Brynlee played in her playpen, talking and babbling to herself, Piper and I cuddled on the couch. It was perfect if you asked me, even if we didn’t talk about a whole lot. Just being together was enough.

Jaron

It was the following Friday. I had been home for a week and while things weren’t perfect, we were slowly falling into a routine.

I would get Brynn up in the mornings so Piper could sleep in a little longer, since I was the one who made her go to bed late each night.

Whenever I went into Brynn’s room in the morning, she would be standing in her crib and her chubby little body would jump whenever she saw me approach her.

It was the start to my day that I never knew I needed and looked forward to each morning. I would get her changed, place her in her playpen out in the living room, and wake up Piper with a kiss to any part of her body that was exposed.

It was now Friday and Sammy and Cyrus were coming over for supper later that evening.

“Did you want me to grab something for supper tonight?” I asked Piper as she fed Brynlee an afternoon snack of soft crackers.

“We can order pizza so you don’t have to go to the store.”

I kissed her head. “I don’t mind.”

“Okay, well whatever you want, I can cook it.” She smiled up at me.

“Okay.” I placed a peck on Brynlee’s cheek before giving her mama another kiss. “Thank you for this morning,” I whispered.

She laughed, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “Thank you for this week.”

“One day at a time, baby.” I gave her one final kiss and left the house.

We spent the week slowly reconnecting. We talked some more and even though it was only a couple of words shared between us, it was a start in the right direction.

When I reached the driveway, I hesitated between taking my bike or Piper’s car. I knew she wasn’t going anywhere, so she wouldn’t care if I drove it.

Our fighting had been limited this week, thankfully, but we still had our moments. Of pushing. And then at the same time, a constant taking. I wanted to give, take, fight, and more. A part of me, that sick part, enjoyed fighting with her because I loved her angry eyes on me as they heated my skin until I felt like I was going to combust from the fiery stare. I bet my life that angry sex with her was dirty and hot as fuck.

Piper walked on eggshells around me. Not always. It had mostly been in the mornings after I woke up from a nightmare. She probably wondered when I would blow. I wouldn’t. Because none of this was her fault. But I was itching for something. Not sex. She took care of that. Blood maybe? A fight? She had mentioned a gym in the basement. Maybe working out would help me. I could spar with Sammy. He was a dirty fighter, but it always helped my moods after getting into it with him. Maybe I could convince both him and Cyrus to fight me. I needed to fight. To hurt. To get fucking bloody.

Forcing myself out of my head, I took Piper’s car and drove to the grocery store to grab some food and hopefully, better tasting formula for Brynn. I could still remember the taste perfectly.