I observe him once again, belly aflutter by his presence and in anticipation of talking with him tonight. Stenton is uptight about more than Jordan not acing a spelling test that we’ve gone over with him several times when each time he’s gotten all fifteen words correct. He’s stressed out about something more than losing tonight. He’s afraid. I want to assuage his fears.
“Why don’t you go take off your clothes so we can soak together? I need to talk with you,” I inform, trying to hide my anxious mirth.
Stenton remains in place, eyes stapled to me for seconds long before taking off for the main room and stripping down to ink. When he returns, I’m in the tub, salivating over his canvas. Holy mother of Joseph…this man is a work of art. I’m caught up in the cuts of his muscles and the colors and designs, deliciously marring his smooth skin.
“You gonna scoot up?” he asks, monotone, waking me from my musing.
“Here.” I scoot back. “I wanna hold you.” I welcome him in.
When Stenton is submerged and resting on my chest, I grab the sponge, squirt soap on it, and go about rubbing it onto his hard pecs.
“Your correction out there…with JR. It was a bit impassioned, hmmm?”
Stenton sucks his teeth. “Jordan’s slacking off. He’s been out of character this school year. That damn academy is too expensive to have him playing around,” he hisses.
I drag the sponge up to his chiseled arms.
“He’s had a number of changes over the past few months. His Mommy became his Daddy’s girlfriend…lover, then wife. Then his Dad moves into his home and brings a masculine, overseer type of energy.” Stenton grunts. “And did I mention said Dad is his best friend? There have been lots of changes…and even more to come.”
“So what the hell’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means we should all keep in mind that we are undergoing changes when we’re dealing with each other.”
“You’re sounding just like her, Zo! It’s ironic that it’s her birthday, don’t you think? What are you trying to say? Layman’s terms, please.”
I try to minimize the tremble in my frame from laughing at his curtness.
“I’m just saying I know you’re stressed out…about me.”
Stenton steels.
“About what?”
“You know about what, StentRo. But that’s neither here nor there. The bottom line is you need to exercise more patience. Things are changing around here.”
“What types of changes? Speak English, Zoey!”
My lips twitch up into a smile behind his head.
“Well, patience for Jordan, specifically. You shouldn’t get bent out of shape over small things. You’re going to be the retired, married father”—Stenton huffs again—“of two.” I qualify, calmly.
This time, after steeling in place while he processed my words, Stenton swiftly makes a 180-degree pivot, sloshing water everywhere.
“Holy shit!” he whispers in sheer shock. “It worked?”
I can’t help my hearty laughter as he looks down at my flat belly. I can finally let it out after enduring his foul disposition.
“Zo?”
I don’t speak until I’m able to catch my breath.
“Yes!” I breathe. “After all the ovulation kits, ultrasound, and blood tests to make sure I’d been ovulating back in October, I’ve caught another one of your determined sperm boys…this time willingly.”
A wry smile opens on his face.
“Don’t pout! At least I know what I’m working with this time, and I couldn’t be happier.”
I take him at the side of his stubble cheeks and bring my face to meet his lush lips, tugging at the lower one until he joins me. Stenton’s kiss, even when thrown askew still arouses me. When I pull back to observe his reaction, I notice his eyes have softened.
“I love you, Zoey. I’m so glad you stayed and forgave me for all the bullshit.”
My pulse quickens and in that instant, I’m revved up. Stenton does this to me. He unravels me without effort. Although I know he’s having a moment, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t jostle.
“At the rate of your baby-making skills, and now that I know this artificial insemination thing actually works, I’m glad, too.” I sputter into laughter.