“Wait for me, baby.” He reached behind him and pulled her hands free of him.
With her hands now at the side of her head and his fingers entwined with hers Jim glanced over her, propped up on his elbows that were at the side of her chest.
“I'll never let anybody hurt you again, Tasha, never. I love you so much,” he told her as his own climax thundered towards its conclusion with a final thrust and a deep cry that was more than she could take, her own release steamrollering over her making her toes curl, her hair prickle and her sex burn.
Collapsing against her, his fingers still wrapped around hers, his face in her neck, Jim said, “So, we're agreed then, baby, I'm going to take care of you and keep you safe any way I can, we're both going to wear wedding bands and we will never be apart. God, I love negotiating with you.”
Laughing beneath him, Tasha realised she still hadn't told him about her call from Angie and they had yet to discuss the message from her father, but suddenly Jim's phone sprang into life, startling them both.
Releasing her and sitting up, Jim grabbed his phone while Tasha gathered her shopping lists and iPad.
“Hello,” answered Jim. “Oh hi, Deanna.”
Tasha rolled her eyes then grimaced at the other woman's name.
Jim shook his head as he continued the conversation he was having. “Tasha? She's good, thanks.” He grinned across at her. “No, now's a great time for me, I just needed to discuss Lizzie's day out with you tomorrow.”
Tasha grabbed her dress and found her pants then redressed while Jim finished his call before checking messages or emails. She gestured to say she was going downstairs where she found Philip entering through the front door.
“Yo step-mommy dearest,” he shrieked, hugging Tasha as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
“What are you up to?” she asked suspiciously.
“OMG, you are good. You're suspicious of me after just one sentence.”
Laughing, Tasha took his arm and entered the kitchen. “Maybe it was the step-mommy thing. So, what are you up to?”
“Auntie Abby has been in touch and we are throwing you and the old man a party,” he shrilled, confusing Tasha.
“Why?”
“Dunno, but Auntie Abby reckons we need a gathering on Friday, just close friends and family. She thinks we need to celebrate all things Jim and Tasha,” he said as if he was announcing a new show.
“No,” replied Tasha.
“Why?”
“It's like Fort Knox here, in case you hadn't noticed, so the chances of your dad agreeing to this are zero,” Tasha explained.
“We could ask him,” suggested Philip, hugging Tasha. “You are the best step-mommy ever, say yes, Tash, please and then ask the old man, pretty please,” he pleaded.
“Ask the old man what?” came Jim's voice from behind them.
Spinning together and giggling as they did so caused Jim to frown at them, but in an amused way rather than with irritation.
“Ask away,” he told them.
Nudging each other to ask neither of them spoke for a few seconds before giggling again.
“Or not.” Jim prepared to walk past them to the kitchen.
“Philip comes with plans and ideas via Auntie Abby,” started Tasha, deflecting Jim's attention to his son.
“What plans and ideas would they be?” Jim sounded suspicious.
“Party!” cried Philip sounding camper than anyone Tasha had ever heard.
“Do you practice that degree of gayness?” Her question made Philip pout meaning he looked as camp as he’d sounded before. Tasha laughed loudly.
