“Mine?”
He lets out a long ragged breath and closes his eyes, lifting his face to the heavens.
“There’s nothing to forgive.” What we’ve done, I wanted it all. He may be old enough to be my father, but I’m old enough to know what I want, and it’s him. The sooner he gets over his guilt trip, the better.
“Kane, look at me.” I run my palms over his unshaven jaw, the sensation flickering a memory of last night. “There’s nothing to forgive.”
His head rests against mine, but he holds me at bay, preventing me from kissing him like I desperately crave. I push against his restraint, inching closer to his lips.
“I can’t, Vi.” He turns around and hastens down the path towards his truck.
Rain pelts my face, and I welcome it, dousing the heat and fire I feel for him. I take one last long look at the grave. “Between us both, I think we fucked him over. If you care for him at all, Mum, help me mend him. I don’t know how to help him.” As if the heavens heard my plea, the rain stops and the sun peeks through a break in the dark clouds, shining on Kane’s truck as he opens the door, like a spotlight on a stage. It’s then I know I must go to him.
I open the door and climb into the passenger seat. He starts the engine and drives home in silence. Words clog in the back of my throat. I can’t seem to find the right one. The longer the silence, the more words join the lump gathered there, preventing me from speaking.
Back at the house, he flicks the switch on the kettle. “Tea?”
I glance at the bubbly next to the cake. “Prosecco?”
He turns the kettle off. Grabs two tumblers from the cupboard, and pours us both a drink.
I slide into the wooden chair at the oak table. The kitchen fills with the same tension as the truck. “Cake?”
He hands me the cake and a knife, then sits at the head of the table adjacent to me. Our knees knock as he scooches the chair forward.
I cut him a piece, and he shakes his head. “More for me then.” A moan escapes as the buttery icing melts on my tongue and the red velvet cake crumbles against my lips. “So good,” I mumble.
He chuckles.
“What?” More crumbs tumble from my lips.
He wipes the frosting from the corner of my mouth and licks it from his finger. The act dampens my knickers and I shuffle against the hard wooden seat as my pussy thrums for his touch.
“You’re missing out.”
“Watching you enjoy it is enough for me.”
I gulp down the last mouthful, then sip my Prosecco for a little courage. The chair scrapes along the floor as I stand and collect a fork from the drawer. He slides his chair back to stand.
“Don’t get up.” With the fork in hand, I sit on his lap.
“Vi.” My name is a breathy rumble, telling me exactly how he feels.
I fork off some cake and bring it to his lips. “Open.”
He does as I ask, taking the cake. His eyes dance with excitement as he rolls the cake around his tongue.
“It’s good, isn’t it?” I fork off another piece and feed him again. “I want to take care of you too, Kane. Like you take care of me.” Moisture pools between my thighs as I shuffle against his leg, seeking a little friction. The seam of my jeans catches against my clit, causing my walls to clench.
“Delicious,” he says, gazing into my eyes.
I drop the fork, cake forgotten, as I press my lips to his. He allows me this, but despite my teasing tongue, his lips won’t part.
He pulls away, holding my face in his hands. “I can’t, Vi. I won’t use you for my selfish pleasure again.”
“You’re not using me. I want this and you do too. I know you care about me, so don’t pretend you don’t.”
“You mean everything to me. You’re the only thing in my life that’s pure and untainted by the past. Even though you’re woven into its thread, you’re innocent, and I want to keep you that way. I want you to blossom like a violet in spring. I’m only keeping you in shade, contained like a houseplant in a small pot. You need the sun to reach your full potential, and I’ll be damned if I hold you back. You deserve to flourish wild and free, not hidden away here with me in darkness.”
