Page 51 of Absolution

“Never!” I clasp my throat, offended. “Em, and I are going to be great friends.”

“Are you planning on making her your cellmate? With the mouth you have, she’ll have to join the navy just to fit in.”

“Well, I have never!” I cover my mouth with a gasp, doing my best southern belle impersonation.

Scarlet trails a path up my body, lust filling her eyes. Desire courses through me the moment our gaze locks. “I bet you have, and I guarantee it wasn’t nice.”

“There’s something to be said for being bad once in a while.” I cock my brow.

“And I have the proof of that.” She inclines her head to Emmie cuddled next to her.

“That you do, but what a beautiful thing she is.” I ease into the seat beside them, Emmie stares at me for a brief second and then reaches for me. “Ahhh, what do I do?”

Scarlet giggles. “Hold her, unless you don’t want to.”

“Why would she want me to do that?” I say as I lift my hands toward her. She climbs over to them, and I pull her closer. She nestles into my chest, nuzzling my neck. “Oh, my.”

“What?” Scarlet’s eyes flicker from Emmie to me.

My chest constricts, making my breath hitch as I’m engulfed with emotion. Emmie’s easy going spirit and unconditional love, pours from her heart, filling mine.

“She’s a thief.” My heart races when Emmie melts into me.

Scarlet’s face drops, her smile fading. “She is not, she wouldn’t hurt a soul.”

“You don’t understand.” The words leave my lips as a murmur, a hymn of healing and love.

“What is it?”

“I’m a goner.”

Scarlet rubs Emmie’s back, smiling softly. “I warned you.”

“Obviously, you lack the ability to clearly state her dominance in situations such as these.” I press my cheek on the top of her head. “Oh, dear Lord, help me; I think my heart just imploded. How can she smell so good and feel so perfect?”

“Babies… they tend to do this to everyone.”

“Now I understand why there are condoms, this will have you feeling like you want to produce a million of these little creatures.” My body relaxes as she settles into my arms.

Scarlet nods. “Yeah, it sure will give you the cute and fuzzies.”

“I’m seriously thinking you didn’t fully articulate her powers of persuasion; this girl needs a warning label on her at all times.”

“She’s asleep again, want me to get her?” Scarlet sits up, adjusting herself. The large L shaped couch could fit ten people, but then I feel like it’s a love seat.

“Ahhh, no.” I slouch in my seat. “Is it too late to switch which Morgan I fall in love with?”

“She’s the safer bet, and don’t worry, she’ll not break your heart.” Sadness clouds Scarlet’s features.

I tilt my head, staring into her eyes. “Meaning you’re going to break mine? This thing is just starting, and you’re already trying to get rid of me? Harsh.”

“Whatever happened to a test drive? Or like the sample trays? Do I have to decide right now, or can I get a thirty-day trial period? Actually, I’m not sure we should wait, I hear broken hearts build character.”

I raise a brow. “Am I not character enough for you now?”

“I couldn’t imagine you not being enough for anyone.” Her one-sentence answers are playing with my emotions. There’s so much meaning into each one, I can’t begin to decipher them all.

“I can say the same for you. A veterinarian, a single mom, and lest we not forget drop-dead gorgeous. You are an incredible woman, Scar.”