life-changing event.
I can feel it.
“Okay,” she whispers, sucking in a deep breath and letting it out. “I’d love to meet them.”
“Good. Now finish up your breakfast. I’m gonna run home and shower and get ready. I’ll be back. We’ll probably be outside, so don’t put her in something she can’t get dirty in,” I add, dropping off my cup in the sink and grabbing the dish soap.
“I can get that,” she says, as the bottom of her chair legs scrape across the linoleum.
I finish washing the cup, rinsing it in clean water, and place it in the drying rack on the counter. Just as I turn, she wraps her arms around my waist and presses her cheek to my chest. “Now you don’t have to,” I tell her, kissing the crown of her head and holding her against me. The scent of her fruity shampoo fills my senses and makes my cock jump in my pants.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her warm breath seeping through my T-shirt.
“You’re welcome, Mal.”
With Herculean strength, I pull back and drop my arms. Even though I’d much rather hold her for the next few minutes, or a thousand years, I know we’ll never make it to Edna’s house if I don’t leave now.
She follows me to the door. “What time should we be ready?”
I glance at my watch and notice it’s just after nine. “Is ten okay? I usually help my aunt with some of her yardwork, and I have a few things to finish up at my place.”
“Ten’s good,” she replies, twisting her hands together nervously.
Stepping forward, I slip my hand into her hair. Her breath hitches, and fuck, do I want to kiss her. But I know I’ll never be able to stop once I start, so instead of taking her lips with mine, I kiss the corner of her mouth. “Lock up behind me,” I whisper before pulling back. “Bye, Lou,” I add a little louder.
“Bye, bye, Walk!” Lizzie hollers from the table, her plate almost empty.
Then I force myself to leave, even though an invisible force is drawing me back, pulling me to where she is.
Once I hear the lock engage and the chain slide into place, I set out for the stairs. I could tell she wanted me to kiss her. It was written in her eyes and echoed in the way her breathing hitched.
I will.
I want that kiss more than my own next breath, but I know one won’t be enough. She’s a hit I crave. That’s why I have to wait. At least for a little longer.
Tonight.
Tonight, I will finally taste Mallory.
***
When I knock on her door, I hear the sound of Lizzie on the other side. “He’s here!” she yells, twisting and turning to knob.
“Lizzie, you’re not supposed to open the door, remember?” I hear Mal say, as she slides the chain and releases the lock. “Hey.”
“Hi.” I barely get the words out before Lizzie jumps in my arms. “Did I hear you trying to open the door?”
She gives me a shy nod.
“You have to make sure your mom opens it, okay, Lou? You’re too short to see who’s here, and you always have to look before you unlock the door. Got it?”
She lowers her eyes but keeps them locked on me. “Otay. I will.”
“Good girl,” I reply, kissing the top of her head. “You ready to go?”
She wiggles in my arms until I set her down. “I’m bwinging my bag, Walk,” she informs me, going over to retrieve the backpack-style bag on the couch. Mallory goes over and helps her put the Dora bag on her back, and the moment it’s in position, she turns and proclaims, “Weady!”
I pick her up again and turn to face her mom. “How about you? Ready to go?”
She nods, twisting her fingers together again. “I think so.”
I step up to her and place a hand on her hip. “They’re gonna love you guys.”
Mallory takes a deep breath and exhales. “I feel bad for not bringing anything.”
I bark out a laugh. “Oh, don’t feel bad. Wait until you see the spread Aunt Edna puts on every Sunday. It doesn’t matter if there’re four people there or forty. Plus, she usually sends me and my cousin, Jamal, home with leftovers. It helps get me through the first half of the week,” I state, as Mallory grabs her purse and we head for the door.
Lizzie chats the entire way down, but my eyes are focused on her mom. She’s wearing a fitted T-shirt and