I take her to my bed. Strip her down. Love her with my hands, my mouth, my body. Afterward, we take a shower. I take my time washing her, running my hands over her stomach. Vivi's words from this evening skip along my mind.Are you signing yourself up to be this child's father?
Chapter 38
Hugo
"I have a confession to make,"Mallory says out of nowhere.
We're lounging on the porch bed, letting the afternoon sun warm our toes. She's tucked under my arm, head heavy on my chest. Mallory loves it out here, staring out at the cloudless sky, and I love anything that makes her happy.
"Lay it on me." My fingers graze her arm, bringing chill bumps to her skin.
"Your fencing costume was...sexy."
I look down at the top of her head. Take a moment to compose myself. "Because the mask covered my ugly mug?"
Mallory shifts, pushes up on her elbow so she can look at me. "You looked hot, Hugo."
I do my best not to laugh. She's being open and honest with me right now. "I have to say, nobody has ever called me hot wearing breeches."
"Not to your face."
"Or at all."
She grins. "Bull riding has buckle bunnies. What does fencing have?"
"Trails of dust from women running the other direction."
Mallory slaps my chest. "Stop. I said what I said. Hot."
I palm her lovely cheek, stroking her soft skin with my thumb. "You're just saying that because you found out I'm good at making you come."
"Greatat making me come," she clarifies, and my chest puffs with pride. "But no. I'm not. You looked powerful. Strong. In control. Not to mention how muscled your thighs look in those white pants."
"Don't even think of asking me to wear that outfit for you."
She giggles. "Actually, I was wondering if you'd give me a beginner's lesson."
"I take umbrage with thrusting sharp objects at you."
She gives me a look.
I sigh. "I heard it."
She laughs. "Come on. I looked it up. Fencing swords have blunt edges."
"They can still hurt you. That's why fencers wear protective gear."
Mallory pouts. "Can you give me a little show, then?"
"No costume."
"No costume," she agrees.
We're standingin the living room. I've pushed the coffee table out of the way to give us more space.
"These," I start, pointing at the weapons above the fireplace, "are the swords. They are the foil, épée, and saber." I point at each in turn. Mallory nods studiously. I bet she was a star pupil in every class.
"What is the name of that one?" she asks, nodding her chin at the fourth sword, closest to the fireplace mantle.
