Slice stood up. “I’ll help you.”
Violet giggled, listening to Brody and Gunner tease Beth about how the dogs really ruled the house and not Beth and Flick. Their table had grown bigger with more people hanging out with them. Tonight had been so much fun.
“Well, they are sweet, though, right?” Beth asked.
“Yes, most of the time. When Lilly can’t get to you guys, she has a habit of jumping on the bed, and if I don’t let her out, she jumps on my crotch, which does wake me up,” Gunner said, shaking his head.
Violet giggled along with everyone else.
“Man, it’s getting late. Violet, didn’t you say you were tired?” Frankie said.
Violet hid a grin. The girls were putting into play the idea they’d dreamed up to help her. She loved her friends and their meddling, especially if it made Speedy make a move.
“I am. Speedy, let’s head back to the house,” Violet said.
The perplexed look on his face would be funny if Violet weren’t so nervous.
“Of course, we can pick up the kids on the way home,” Speedy said.
“They will have just started the movie. Gunner and Brody challenged Flick and me to a pool tournament. The kids have to be picked up at 11:30. We’ll do that for you and bring them by,” Beth said.
No wonder Beth was so good at surveillance and at the bail bonds. She had Speedy believing it was a genuine offer and hadn’t been set up ahead of time.
“I appreciate it. Violet,” Speedy said, standing up and helping Violet up, keeping hold of her hand.
Violet relaxed, relieved that she wasn’t being put on the spot in front of everyone. Speedy led them outside and down the road back toward the house. The night was clear, crisp, and quiet except for the sounds coming from the clubhouse and the animals in the barn they passed.
Violet thought through all Beth and the girls had said about her relationship with Speedy. Maybe here, outside as they walked, was the best way to bring it up. She wouldn’t have to look directly at his face.
“I’m not tired,” Violet said softly.
“You’re not? Then why did Beth say you were?” Speedy asked.
Violet could feel his eyes on her as they passed buildings and some of the houses. It was hard for her to tell him everything, but she would.
“Because she knew I wanted time alone with you, and the girls said that I could tell you anything,” Violet replied.
Speedy paused, but Violet tugged his hand so he kept on walking.
“What do you need to tell me? Are you not happy? Did I rush you?” he asked.
She hated hearing the fear and concern in his voice. She took a deep breath and let it all out.
“Frankie said not to call you old because I shouldn’t emphasize the age gap. Faith said ‘well-seasoned’ might be a better way to say it or ‘experienced.’ Beth said that I need to tell you what I want because you might be concerned about moving too fast or that I’m too young,” she said, pausing because they were infront of their house—the house she wanted forever with her and Speedy.
“What do you want?” Speedy asked, leading her up the steps and across the porch, opening the door for them.
She paused inside the house as Speedy closed the door. For this, she needed to be looking at him. When he turned, she let all the words she’d been holding inside come out.
“You’re my man. My person I can share everything with. The one I want forever, and I can tell you anything, including that I want you so much I ache. But I’m scared. I know you said I’m your woman, but I’m a lot of woman, and standing here in front of you—I hear my mom’s words saying my thighs and stomach are fat and that my breasts are too large and sag. I know that’s not sexy, but the girls told me that you were my safe space and that I can tell you my hopes, dreams, and insecurities too,” she said, letting out a breath at finally getting the words out.
Speedy stepped closer, taking her hand to tug her flush against him.
“They were right. I’m your man and the person you can share everything with. I know you hearing your mom’s words is something that won’t go away right away. But these breasts,” he said, trailing his fingers down her cleavage to cup her breast, “will be where our babies will be nourished and where I will worship every curve. When our kids are scared or upset, they can lay their heads on your shoulder and be cuddled against these breasts that aren’t too large. They’re the perfect size that makes my mouth water just thinking about seeing them unclothed and having them in my mouth.”
Speedy stared into her eyes as he trailed his hand down her stomach and around to her butt, pulling her flush against him. His hardness poked her in the stomach.
“Do you feel that?” he asked.
