Nineteen

 

This Moment Here With You

 

 

Sunlight filtered through the half-closed blinds, painting the familiar space in shades of silver and shadow. A soft hum vibrated in the room—a low, contented sound that emanate from his chest as he lay beside her, one arm flung over his head, the other resting across his stomach.

 

Lying on her side, head nestled into the pillow, she watched him. 

 

She loved watching his sleep. Had for years. If anyone ever asked what her favorite pastime was, she’d say this. The reason had changed over time — sometimes to capture a fleeting moment, to memorize the way his chest rose and fell, or to smile at the small grins that bloomed from whatever he was dreaming about. Sometimes it was the sound of her name, murmured unconsciously, or the soft mews he made in deeper sleep.

 

But through it all, one thing had remained true—she loved him. Always.

 

With slow indulgence, she traced a lazy finger along the exposed curve of his bicep and the soft dip of his underarm, all smooth muscle and unguarded warmth. Her touch wondered down the line of his forearm, then back up over the ridge of his bicep, gliding through the fine dusting of hair, and into the hollow where his arm met his chest.  

 

A subtle shift of muscle, a soft exhale, he stirred beneath her touch, and then, without lifting his head, he cracked one eye open.

 

Caught.

 

A slow, lopsided smile curved his lips, sleep still tugging at the corners of his expression.

 

“Watching me again?” he murmured, voice rough with sleep and something sweeter. Something only for her.

 

“Always.”

 

He rolled onto his said to face her, “Admiring or planning you next attack?”

 

“Admiring and thinking.”

 

“About what?” he asked, reaching up to tuck a loos tendril of hair behind her ear.

 

“Hiring a nanny.”

 

He’d been wondering when she’d bring it up. Thanks to his brother, he already knew she’d been talking with his sister-in-law. Not that he ever doubted she’d see the need—it was just a matter of her coming to terms with it in her own time.

 

“Can I ask why now?”

 

“A million reason,” she said softly. “Being sick. Relying on Stephanie so much the last few days. And honestly? I’m not keeping up with work the way I should,” she sighed. “I don’t know how Sal did.”

 

“You can’t compare yourself to your father,” he said gently. “He had Lili and Mathis, which made a huge difference in those early years. And when you were old enough to travel with him, he had a crew full of uncles who always lent a hand.”

 

“True.”

 

“I can ask Jeanie to compile a list of reputable agencies and when we’re back in New Jersey on Tuesday we can start making some calls.”

 

“No. I’m not hiring a stranger,” she said firmly.  “I’ve been talking to Desiree about it, and she has a family friend who’s interested in the job.”

 

“Okay. Then we’ll set up a time to meet her when we’re back home.”

 

“That’s another thing I was contemplating—going home later today with your parents and the kids.”

 

“Really?”

 

“I was… until Des offered to take Lily for a couple of days.”

 

His eyes went wide as a mischievous grin spread across his lips.

 

“Oh? So just you and me, no kids, no parents…” he shifted closer, his voice dropping low. “Sounds like the start of a very inappropriate few nights.”

 

Before she could reply, he leaned in and gently eased her onto her back, his hand sliding behind her neck as he hovered over her. That grin of his—lazy and wicked spread wider.

 

“Well,” he murmured, brushing is lips just short of her, “no time like the present to get the party started.”

 

“We should really get up and check on the kids.”

 

“Nah, Ma’s got them all under control,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “Perfect time for my revenge.”

 

“Revenge?” her eyebrows arched in mock surprise. “For what?”

 

“For…” he declared, his eyes sweeping over her. “For using me like a Kentucky Derby winner the other day. You think I forgot about that.” His grin turned downright sinful. “It’s time to settle the score, sweetheart, and I’ve got a couple nights to do it.”

 

Without another word, he shifted, gently pressing her back into the pillows, her head sinking into their downy softness. Her worn Stones shirt— a testament to the countless washes and years of love – rode up further to expose her navel and the smooth expanse of her swollen stomach. His gaze lingered there for a moment, something tender flickering behind the heat in his eyes, before his fingers, nimble and sure found the hem of the shirt and began to ease it upwards.

 

The soft cotton glided over her skin, brushing against her ribs, her chest, her shoulders. She lifted her arms, helping him. The shirt slipped free, tossed carelessly to the floor, joining her growing pile of discarded clothes. The sunlight now seeping through the window bathed her in its soft glow, highlighting the delicate curve of her collarbone and the fullness of her breasts. 

 

He leaned over her, blue eyes dark and hungry fixed on her likes she was the only thing that existed. He didn’t rush. Didn’t hurry. He just looked. Then slowly, deliberately, he lowered his head.  

 

Warm, soft lips found the hollow of throat just beneath her chin. A shiver ran through her, a delicious tremor that started deep in her core and spread outwards.

 

“Mmm…” she sighed, her breath catching in her throat as his kisses trailed lower, down the curve of her neck, past the pulsing hollow her collar bone.  

 

His mouth moved with reverence, unhurried, as if memorizing her one kiss at a time. She felt the graze of his stubble against her skin, just enough to send a fresh wave of shivers down her spine.  Her fingers threaded through his hair, not guiding, just anchoring. 

 

He looked up at her, eyes dark and gleaming, his voice a whisper against her skin as he met her green eyes. “Still think we should get up and check on the kids?”

 

Her laugh was soft, breathless, but the answer was clear in the way she arched toward him, in the way her leges shifted beneath his.

 

“Not a chance,” she murmured. 

 

He chuckled, a low, satisfied sound. “Thought so.”

 

His tongue traced the lines of her body with precision. Each touch a spark, igniting a fire that spread rapidly through her veins.  Her fingers pulling him closer.

 

“Jon…” she breathed, her voice a ragged whisper.

 

“You like that?” he murmured, his voiced muffled against her skin.

 

She couldn’t speak, only nodding, her fingers clutching his hair. Her body was a symphony of sensations, each note played by his lips, his tongue, his breath. He moved lower still, kisses trailing past the curve of her hip, to the inner curve of her thigh. Instinctively, her legs parted. A silent offering, an unspoken invitation.

 

“Please,” she whispered.

 

“You’re cute when you beg—but I’m just getting warmed up.”

 

She let out a breathy laugh, equal parts frustration and desire. “You’re evil,” she breathed. 

 

He smirked against her skin, his fingers grazing the inside of her thigh but going no further.

 

“Oh, baby,” he drawled, his breath warm against her, “you haven’t even seen what evil looks like.”

 

She squirmed beneath him, hips lifting, seeking more.

 

“Just fuck me already!”

 

A slow smile spread across his face. “As you wish.”

 

In one fluid motion, he position himself between her legs. Slowly, inch by agonizing inch, he pressed deeper until he was buried deep inside her.

 

She gasped, her body clenching around him.

 

He began to move, slowly at first, then faster, his hips pumping against hers. She met his thrust, her body moving in rhythm with his.

 

Long legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer. Nails clawed his back, while love bites nipped at his skin. 

 

His breath hitched as the heat between them deepened, every touch sparking fire beneath their skin.

 

She arched into him, a soft moan escaping her lips as their bodies moved in sync.

 

“Faster,” she begged, her voice a desperate plea.

 

He obliged, his movement growing more urgent, more instant. The bedsprings groaned their protest beneath them, a rhythmic thump accompanying ever motion.

 

“Yes.” She moaned.

 

She was so close, her body vibrating with anticipation. The rising tide of pleasure threating to consumer her. 

 

His hands held her close, steadying her as the waves of pleasure finally broke, washing through them both in a shared moment of surrender.  Their breaths mingled, slow and deep, hearts beating in quiet harmony.

 

He smirked. “Now we better get going before someone comes looking for us.”

 

She rolled her eyes, a sly grin tugging at her lips. “That’s on you. I need a shower after that.”

 

Before he could protest, she gently pushed him off and dashed toward the bathroom, laughter trailing behind her.