Saturday
"Auntie Mel! Wake up. Wake up. Wake! Up!" Jason bounced on the foot of the bed. "Did you marry Annie's dad?"
The bouncing and yelling she might've been able to ignore, but his question was another matter entirely. Forcing the sleep from her limbs, Melodie reluctantly pulled herself from Daniel's embrace. "Come here, sport."
Jason bounded into her arms and plied her with a good morning kiss. "Did you marry him?"
"What makes you ask such a question? You know I'd never have a wedding without you being there as the ring bearer, right?" She tousled his mop of brown hair.
"He was sleeping in your bed. Doesn't that mean you're married?"
She searched her brain for a way to explain her sharing the bed with Daniel without providing him anything potentially scarring or trouble-worthy when he repeated it. At seven, she had no doubts he'd repeat it.
Before she could answer, Daniel's gravelly morning voice joined the conversation. "You ever slept on your aunt's couch, buddy?"
Jason's eyes squinted. "Yes."
"Was it comfortable?"
The brown curls bounced as he shook his head. "No. Very lumpy."
"You and the princess here took up all the space on the floor, and my old back couldn't take another night on the couch."
Jason nodded. "Only place left was Auntie Mel's bed. Good thing it's big enough for both of you."
Melodie pulled Jason into her arms and started tickling him. "My couch is lumpy, you say? I'll show you lumpy."
The giggling woke up the remaining sleepyhead, and Annie joined the party. "Tickle me, Daddy. Tickle me."
Daniel smiled at his daughter, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Maybe later, princess. Daddy's tired this morning."
Melodie kissed Jason on top of the head. "Okay, you two, go get on the lumpy couch, and find some cartoons to watch. We'll be out in a minute to fix some breakfast. I'm pretty sure there are donuts in the cabinet calling your names."
Cartoons and sugar prompted the kids to leave the room in a hurry, leaving her alone with the man who'd played hero in the most erotic of dreams last night. The moment the kids cleared the door, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Did you not sleep well last night?"
His lips covered hers and made her forget for a moment what question she was asking him. His kisses ventured lower, the neckline of her T-shirt being pulled aside to give him access. Temptation engulfed her, pushing aside the adorable rug rats channel surfing down the hall. Physical and emotional need weaved together to form a chain of desire settling low and deep within her body.
"Daddy, we're hungry!" Annie's voice sliced through the building tension between them, and she regretted instantly his lips lifting from the swell of her breasts.
His eyes darkened. "I'm pretty damn hungry myself but not for donuts."
One more kiss. She needed one more kiss before she could tear herself away. Pulling his body flush with hers, the hard contours of his chest provided a comforting and welcome weight against her chest. "Tonight, Annie sleeps on the lumpy ol' couch, and you get the bedtime story you've been wanting."
Thoughts of the children dissipated the moment their lips touched. Pleasure mounted swiftly as his tongue swept across the seam of her mouth. With no hesitation, she opened to him, deepening their connection. Wanting more. Needing more.
"Auntie Mel! We're starrr-ving!" Jason's desperate proclamation forced them apart once again.
Her eyes closed as Daniel's fingertips slid over her highly sensitized and well-kissed lips. "Maybe Annie can stay with them tonight and give us an evening alone."
She laughed and sat up, fearful if she remained prone it would prove too difficult to resist pulling his body on top of hers for another attempt. "Just as well, I need to get ready and drop Jason off before work." Her hand covered his heart. "You will be here when I return, won't you?"
The strong beating under her palm increased, and his hand came to rest over hers. "I want to be with you as long as you want to be with me." She'd grown accustomed to him being here. She didn't want to think of how lonely this place would feel when he had to go home.
A quick kiss this time before she made her way to the kitchen. "Come and get it, kiddos. A breakfast filled with sugar and carbohydrates. Your parents will thank me later." She loved being the aunt.
Jason devoured the first few bites of his chocolate goodness while Annie remained ever the lady and nibbled at hers. Melodie could swear she witnessed a glint of amusement in the young girl's eyes as she watched Jason consume his breakfast. Once the first few bites were down, along with a few swigs of milk, Jason found his voice. "You should ask Mommy where she bought her couch."
Melodie sipped some of her coffee and tried not to think of Daniel using up all the hot water in the shower without her. "Why's that, sport?"
"Cause Daddy sleeps on the couch a lot of times. It must be more comfortable than yours."
Melodie thought to the number of times she'd seen her sister lately, rarely accompanied by her husband. Maybe Evelyn's life wasn't as accomplished and perfect as she let others, her family included, believe. "I'll be sure and ask her. Finish up your breakfast while I get ready, and then I'll take you home."
"Can't I stay? Puhlease?? I wanna play with Annie today."
Daniel stepped into the kitchen. "It's okay with me if his mom approves. We can take him home later after work. There's gotta be a park around here somewhere."
Sexy. Sensitive. Sweet. Smoking hot. His hair still damp from the shower and the flush of red on his tanned skin prompted her to not even care if he'd used up every single drop of hot water. A cold shower would be in order for her anyway. The desire to call in sick and spend the day with her pretend family overwhelmed her. It wouldn't do, though. Despite what her mother might think, she took her job and responsibilities very seriously. Add to that her promise to visit her mother and make another attempt to repair their relationship, today could rank pretty high on the total crap list. The thoughts cooled her ardor and provided focus on what needed to be done. "I'll call Ev and ask. Going to jump in the shower and get ready for work."
Before heading off to get ready, she squeezed Daniel's hand. When he looked up to smile at her, the dark circles under his eyes brought her concern for him back into focus. "You still haven't answered my question from earlier. Are you okay? You look exhausted." She winked at him and whispered, "I'm pretty sure I didn't keep you up all night."
He lifted their clasped hands and kissed the back of hers. "I'm fine. Go get ready for work. You don't want to be late."
And just like that—bam!—he'd shut her out. She'd gotten much better at reading him and recognized his behavior. Of course, it wasn't hard to remember as they'd been down this road before. She nodded and fought the urge to sigh. She didn't want to lose him again.