As I woke, laughter drifted into the room, and I knew Malcolm and Gracie were already up. They were early risers, especially on the weekend. We’d, on a whim, decided the family room should be on the second floor, so whenever those two were up, I had to get up too.
Having a husband and daughter who were obsessed with PlayStation was a nightmare, especially after the night we’d had. I flushed at the thought of Mal’s hands on me, our bodies a tangled mess of lust and sweat. The way I felt about him hadn’t changed in all these years. We’d had a rocky start, and there were times I didn’t understand what was running through his head, but he made me happy.
Smiling, I rolled over.
The sun bathed the room in bright light when I pulled open the curtains. Drawing in a breath, I released it feeling grateful. Every day was a new reason to celebrate. I slipped on a robe, ran my fingers through my mass of tousled curls, and made my way to the family room.
“You two are the worst,” I complained, peeping into the room I wouldn’t dare set foot in when games were afoot.There was just too much adrenaline and unhealthy competition, and I dealt with that every day when I entered a courtroom.
“Good morning, beautiful.” Mal grinned. He looked relaxed in a black T-shirt that hugged his muscular form just right and gray sweatpants. His hair was standing on end, and for about the millionth time, I wondered how a man could look so incredibly sexy this early in the morning.
“Hey, Mom, I’m kicking Dad’s ass this morning.” Gracie laughed.
My daughter was so much like me in appearance and her need to triumph. She had the same long black hair and striking features, except for her eyes. They were the color of black tourmaline, like her father’s.
“Good morning, you two. I’m making breakfast.The last one down does the dishes,” I shouted, making my way downstairs.
This was the best part of my Saturday, spending time with Gracie and Mal with no work distractions.
Quickly, I whipped up some omelets. I didn’t need to call them down. The smell of food and coffee did the trick.
Sitting around the kitchen island once I’d served them generous helpings, I smiled.
“What’re you being all goofy for, Mom?”
“Just feels good being here with you two.”
Mal winked at me as he took a large spoonful of my eggs.
“You sneak.” I laughed.
Mal and I had built an incredible life together, and I was not prideful in saying that. Life had dealt us a good hand, and we never took it for granted.
He was an entrepreneur with a highly successful supply chain and logistics business, and I had just made partner in one of the largest law firms in the country, heading up the family law division.
Gracie was a brilliant student, her grades never dipping below an A minus. At almost fifteen, she had her head on straight and didn’t give us any trouble. Some people called us the perfect family, and maybe we were.
“Hi, Melissa,” I shouted, spotting my neighbor while watering the flowers in my front garden. She was constantly sunbathing on her front lawn, which faced the street. She made sure to wear her skimpiest bathing suit, despite the fact we lived on a cul-de-sac, and there were no high walls or even a fence in front of our houses.
Her husband and I worked together, thankfully, in different departments, and I could understand why the man was the way he was. His wife was nothing short of a tart. Anyway, who was I to judge? Maybe they had an open relationship. Worse things have happened.
She gave me a royal wave, and I smiled, wondering what Mal would think of me doing something like that. I laughed at the idea, my face heating because my husband would probably get a kick out of it.
He was on a call when I walked back in. I guessed it was work because his hair was all ruffled like he’d been running his hands frustratedly through it.
Gracie had retreated to her bedroom, where her music was blaring—some UK boy band she’d fallen in love with and swore to marry the lead singer. She was a typical teenager who only joined her parents for meals or when she felt like it.
“Melissa’s sunbathing again.” I laughed when he ended the call. He didn’t laugh like he usually did about things like that. Instead, he looked worried. “You okay, babe?”
He sighed and came over to wrap his arms around my waist. “Honey, don’t be upset, but I have to meet Gregory for a business dinner tonight.”
“But it’s the weekend.” I sulked, looking up at him. “You’re always at his beck and call the rest of the week. Can we not have one day?”
“The downside of having an out-of-town business partner.” He leaned in to kiss me, an obvious ploy to distract me. Still, when his lips touched mine, the fire within me, reserved just for him, burned intensely. It overtook my sense of reason. He held me closer, deepening the contact, leaving me breathless when he broke away. He took my bottom lip in his, sucking gently, his hand slipping down to grab my ass. “I promise to make it up to you.” He released me, his eyes never leaving mine.
I had no doubt he would live up to that promise. The thought alone was thrilling and left me tingly in all the right places.
ChapterTwo
