Page 50 of Property of Mongrel

“Yeah, I mean I was never in their room with them, of course, but I was old enough to see the little glances and touches. Occasionally, me and Jonah would hear soft laughter or even moans coming from behind their bedroom door. I told Jonah then that I wanted someone who I could laugh alongside no matter what was happening.”

“Betty told me that sex could be fun, or serious, or even raunchy, depending on the occasion.”

Kissing her, I slip her to the side while holding the condom, so it doesn’t slide off. “Let me take care of this then clean you up,” I say.

“Okay, do you want something to drink?” she asks.

“Water. I think we’re going to need a lot of water tonight.”

“Coming right up.”

By the time we finally fall asleep, sometime around daybreak, both of us are physically wrecked but in the best possible way. Contentment fills me as I whisper just before sleep claims me, “I’d go through all of it all over again if it led me to you every time. You’re my endgame and my world, Addy.”

Waking up the next morning, I realize the sheets are cool and that Addy is already up. I head into the bathroom, take a much-needed piss, brush my teeth, then slip my boxers on and go in search of my woman.

“What are you doing?” I ask as I see her puttering in the kitchen.

“I got the spaghetti sauce started for tonight’s dinner. And before you say it’s too much, I tend to prep stuff like sauce and meatballs, that kind of thing. So, I’ve got it in the crockpot on low to rewarm it. Do you want breakfast?”

“Wanna go to the diner?” I ask.

“I mean, I can cook, honey, I don’t mind,” she says.

“I know, but you’re going to be busy in a little while, so I’m trying to ease your load,” I tease.

“I am, huh?” she asks.

“Your old man is insatiable where you’re concerned, but unfortunately, we used the last of the condoms I brought earlier this morning, so I figured while we were out, I could grab some more.”

“Oh, okay. Um, let me go get cleaned up,” she says, moving toward the bedroom.

I stop her and tilt her chin up. “You okay, sweetheart? You seem a little off this morning.”

“Everything was so perfect last night and I’m about to blow it all to smithereens this morning,” she replies.

“How?”

“Because I feel like you’re going to tell me just to throw on some clothes, brush my hair, and we can go, but I can’t do that, honey. I have to take a shower, and at some point, that’s gonna bother you.”

Scooping her up in my arms, I start striding toward her room while she squeals. “Good thing I don’t mind helping you get squeaky clean.”

“Unicorn, you’re a damn unicorn,” she says over breakfast. True to my word, I helped her shower once she put her hair in a shower cap, but I used my fingers and tongue to make her come again. I’d have made love to her, but I made a promise and I will honor it, even though my dick hates me right now.

“Naw, just a man who finally has everything he ever dreamed of,” I reply. “There will be some who say it’s too soon to tell you this, but I don’t care what others think. I love you, Addison, and will spend the rest of our lives together showing you just how much.”

She’s about to say something in return when we hear, “Miss Addy! Mr. Mongrel!” and turn to see JB charging our way, a little boy the same height as him following alongside.

“Hey, JB!” Addy exclaims. “This is a wonderful surprise!”

“This is Liam, he’s going to be my brother, we’re best friends!” JB states. “This is Papa Wayne, he’s going to adopt me, isn’t that awesome?”

“It sure is, buddy,” I reply as Addy appears overcome with emotion. Looking at the man standing behind the boys, I ask, “Do you have a date for the adoption yet? He was my physical therapy buddy, so I’d love to come and help him celebrate, and so would Addy. If you don’t mind, that is.”

“Don’t mind at all,” Wayne replies. “It’s just the three of us, so the more the merrier, although if these two have their way, half the town will be there.”

I grin then shrug. “The joy of boys. My brother and I are about eleven months apart, and I remember some of the things we used to get into.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” he says. He’s smiling, but I can see the sadness in his eyes and remember I heard from somewhere he was a widower who relocated to our town.