please.”
She stabbed another piece of meat with her pink fork. Thankfully, she was quiet for the remainder of dinner until Mom announced dessert.
“Who wants apple pie?” Mom asked.
“Mimi, does it got that crunchy stuff on top?”
“It does.”
Easton rubbed her tummy as she said, “Mmm. Do you got any ice cream for the top?”
“I do.”
“I want some!” she yelled.
“Easton, where are your manners? Is that how you ask for dessert?” I asked.
“No, ma’am. Mimi, can I have some with ice cream, please?”
“Yes, you may.”
Mom and I cleared the table and Rey stacked the dishes in the sink. Then we delivered the dessert to everyone. Tristian pretty much inhaled his. I almost asked him if he wanted to lick his plate.
“That pie was amazing, the best I’ve ever had.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Mom said. “Would you like some more?”
“Gosh, no. I couldn’t eat another bite.”
A snarky comment almost pushed past my lips, but I refrained. Instead, I said, “If you all don’t mind, we’re going to leave.”
Tristian asked, “We are?”
“Yes. We have a lot to discuss.”
“Okay.”
We rose from our chairs and the peanut tried to get out of her booster seat. “Hey, you’re staying here tonight, remember?”
“Do I gotta?” Easton asked.
“Yep.”
“Don’t you want to?” Dad asked.
“I wanna go where Mr. Trishan Dad is.”
“Easton, tonight your mommy and Tristian need some grownup time. There’ll be plenty more time for you to spend with them.”
Her head hung as she said, “Oh-kayyy.” I knew that tone, but wasn’t falling for it.
“Give me a smoochie,” I said.
She tipped her face up so I could kiss her. “Can I get a smoochie from Mr. Trishan Dad too?”
He did his due diligence and put a smile on her face.
“Are you and Mommy gonna kissy-face tonight?”
“Kiddo, you might want to ask her that.”
Just when I was prepared to gloat over that question, the fucker threw me under the bus.
“Not tonight,” I said. “Behave for Boppy and Mimi, okay?”
“Okie-dokie.”
We finally broke free and walked back to my house. I rubbed my arms as we walked, thinking of what I was going to say.
“Are you cold? It’s a nice night for this time of year.”
“It is and I’m fine.” How was I going to handle this marriage thing? My belly was on fire. I shouldn’t have eaten so much for dinner.
I unlocked the front door and at that moment wished I lived miles away from my parents. My toe caught the threshold and I stumbled. Tristian grabbed my arm to steady me. When I gained my footing, I went to thank him, only he was close… too close and somehow we ended up kissing. Or rather he kissed me.
Heat exploded in my belly and I was helpless to deny him. And did I even want to? How long had it been since I’d been held like this? I didn’t count our other kisses. It was useless to pretend there was nothing between us when flames licked every inch of my skin. He deepened the kiss as I fisted his shirt and pulled him closer.
“I can stop. Just say the word.”
The word? What word? No wasn’t in my vocabulary at the moment. I kissed him back for an answer. He groaned into my mouth and it stirred me that much more. Should we go further? Yes, my body screamed. It had been denied a man’s attention for so long, I’d forgotten what it was like. Would I regret it? Maybe. Probably, but right now I didn’t give a damn.
My hand crept beneath his shirt and his firm muscles tensed. He broke off the kiss and dark, dark eyes that seemed to spark with silver stared back into mine. I didn’t stop but continued my quest. My other hand also joined in the exploration as his head dropped back and he sighed.
“Please tell me you’re not going to stop.”
A smile curved my mouth. “I’m not stopping.”
“One question first. Why the change of heart?”
What could I say? I needed to get laid? “You’re too hard to resist.” That was the truth.
“I’d say the same about you.” Then, to my surprise, he lifted me up and carried me to the couch. “I’d prefer being comfortable if we’re going to do this.”
“And what is this?”
“Huh-uh. I’m leaving that all up to you.”
“What if I said I wanted you to take the lead?” Being in charge might not be the best idea. But then again…
“Not a chance, Curly Q.”
“Curly Q?”
“Love your curls. What can I say?”
“Reminds me of an uncle my mom used to talk about.