I sat up and looked at the closed bathroom door with a sigh. The pulsating between my legs tamed as I looked around Paxton’s room. He had good taste, or I did. I liked the sea-blue stripes behind the bed. The silver accents with pearl white furniture. I walked toward his balcony and opened the door, taking an instant breath of fresh air. The ocean still looked just as powerful, but with more beauty, unlike the night before. It didn’t feel dark at all. Not even when my eyes focused miles out. Where the blues and green turned black. That view was even better than mine. A few feet in the air made a world of difference.
I smiled when I saw Paxton’s chair facing the one I sat in all the time on the first floor. There would have been no way I would have known he was there, staring at me while I took it all in. The vast sea, the sun kissing the ocean, or the bright moon, hovering above.
I yawned when I heard the shower start, and I walked back in. He’d be expecting his breakfast and coffee in about fifteen minutes.
The yawns kept coming as I descended the stairs to the dark house. I looked in on Rowan first, knowing there was no need to look in on Ophelia. She was curled in a little ball, right beside her sister.
I flipped the light on in the kitchen and started coffee first. The two zucchini’s caught my eye when I turned the knob on the radio. I really needed to use those up, I thought as I changed the station. Who wanted to listen to depressing news at six o’clock in the morning?
I set the table with butter and two plates out on the breezeway and poured us coffee. Everything was ready except Paxton. I set out to get him only to run right into him, coming from his office. My hands crashed into his strong chest and he grabbed my arms.
“Watch where the fuck you’re going,” he snapped with pinched eyebrows, glaring right down to me.
I did what my mama had preached since I was two. I think. I killed him with kindness. One quick peck from the tips of my toes.
“I just sucked your dick at six o’clock in the morning. I feel like I at least deserve a good morning.”
“You sucked my dick because that’s what you’re supposed to do. I don’t smell bacon,” he countered with a softer tone while his hands moved me aside.
I led Paxton toward the Florida room where I had set the table for breakfast. I liked it out there in the mornings. It was peaceful. “You don’t need all that greasy stuff. It’s going to get hot out today. Eat some nourishment. You’re going to need the energy.”
“You just told me you would listen. This isn’t listening,” Paxton complained as his feet shuffled to the patio. “Muffins? Seriously?”
“Zucchini muffins. Try it.”
“I’m not eating zucchini for breakfast. I’ll stop along the way somewhere.”
“Oh, sit down and eat. I wouldn’t complain too loud. Not when someone else is cooking for you.”
Paxton pulled out his chair and sat with a growl. “That’s because—”
“Yes, Paxton. I know. That’s because it’s my job. It’s what I agreed to. I want to see that contract. I’m sure I have stipulations or loopholes.”
“You don’t have anything. You have me. That’s all you need. I tell you what to do, and you do it. That’s what works for us. That’s what we do.”
“That’s what you do. I don’t feel like I have a say in anything.”
“And you didn’t have a problem with it before you forgot who you were. If you’re faking this shit to get away with acting like you are, I’ll find out. And believe me when I say it. You’ll be sorry,” he threatened as his eyes moved to the bite he’d just taken from his muffin. He liked it. Score.
I brushed off whatever arcane punishment he had in mind with an eye roll, sipping my coffee. “Do you really believe that, Paxton? Do you honestly think I am faking any of this?”
“I sure as hell hope not.”
“You know. What time should I expect you to be home?”
“I’ll be late, I’m sure. I’m starting a new job this morning. Just fix my plate and you can warm it up when I get home. You got everything under control for the girls today, right? You know what’s going on?”
“Yes, I can handle the girls.”
“And the groceries?”
“Yes, Paxton. I’ve got it.”
“What is this shit?” he abruptly asked with a thumb hitchhiking over his shoulder toward the house.
“What?”
“Why isn’t it on the news?”
“What’s wrong with this?” I questioned.
“Miley Cyrus? Forget it. I’ve got to go. I’ll call and see how things are later.”
Paxton stood, grabbed another muffin, and walked away with his coffee. I cleaned up, and waited to hear his truck leave before I laid down on the round cabana bed and stretched out, the sound of the ocean permeating my mind. Seagulls came to life in the distance, and the sun lit the morning with warm light.
~~
“Where’s my sister. You said my sister would be here,” I complained. My butt sat on the edge of the chair while I stared at the door, waiting for her.
The lady I’d become familiar with leaned over, elbows on knees. “She’ll be coming. I need to talk to you about something, sweetie.”
My eyes moved from the door to Sherry. “What?”
“I have good news and bad news.”
“What?” I asked again. I didn’t care what order she gave it to me in. As long as the good news meant we would be together again, that’s all I cared about.”
“I’ve found permanent homes for both of you.”