Barely Breathing

He flipped me over and pulled my hips back, entering me from behind. I moaned and pressed myself back as he sank into me.

I let myself get lost in him, crying out his name as he pounded into me. He pulled me up, my back to his chest, and leaned around to kiss me. One of his arms was locked around my waist and with his free hand, he found my sweet spot and circled his fingers until I came so hard my knees nearly gave out. He was right behind, thrusting deeply into me and biting down on my shoulder as he came with a loud groan and a shudder.

“So fucking hot,” Kane said as he pulled out of me and took off the condom. He took it to the bathroom trash can and then we laid back down for a few minutes, the smells of sweat and sex in the air.

Breakfast was a semi-success. My breakfast casserole wasn’t great, but the cinnamon rolls were decent. I wasn’t much of a cook, but I liked feeding Kane, so I’d just have to get better. And in the meantime, he was too wise to admit my cooking wasn’t the best.

“Ready to go see Brooklyn?” he asked when we’d finished the dishes.

I looked at the clock on my wall. “What time are we supposed to be there?”

“No set time,” he said, shrugging.

“Are you sure it’s okay? I don’t want to interrupt anything.”

“It’s fine, Viv. We’re not staying. I just want to give Brooklyn her present on Christmas instead of next time I see her.”

This meant a lot to him. I agreed, took a quick shower and dressed in a dark green sweater dress, brown leggings and tall brown leather boots.

I was quiet on the drive there, because I was nervous. Meeting Brooklyn was a big deal. I wanted to get to know her, if she and Kane and Cori were ready for it. But I worried about stepping on her mother’s toes. And I didn’t have much experience with kids. What if she didn’t like me?

When we walked up to the front door of Cori’s modest bungalow, I slipped my hand into Kane’s for support. He smiled and rang the doorbell.

“Dad!” The little girl who opened the door took my breath away. She was beautiful, her dark eyes shining with happiness.

“Kane?” a female voice called from inside.

“We just came by to drop off gifts.” Kane led me inside, still holding my hand.

When we went inside, the few family members inside silently checked us out. Cori’s relatives had probably never even seen Kane.

The small house was cozy, with garland over the doorways, a tree covered with a child’s homemade ornaments and opened gifts scattered on the floor. The smell of cinnamon filled the air. Even though none of the furnishings looked new or expensive, they were stylish and the place looked like a comfortable home.

Cori was thin and petite with long, perfectly straight chestnut hair. She was pretty and Brooklyn was too, but Brooklyn looked just like Kane. Seeing the man I loved reflected in the face of his little girl melted me inside.

I wanted kids. With him. I hadn’t seriously thought about it until this moment, but seeing him next to his daughter made it all so clear. I wanted Brooklyn to be as much a part of our lives as she possibly could, and I wanted more kids, too.

“Guys, this is my girlfriend Viv,” Kane said to Cori and Brookyln. He wrapped an arm around my waist.

“Hi,” Brooklyn said, smiling.

“Hi.” I smiled back and turned to her mother. But Cori just regarded me with a cool expression and said nothing. Maybe she was skeptical of any woman who would be spending time with her daughter.

“This is for you,” I said, handing her the centerpiece I’d bought her. It was a basket of Christmas greenery and pinecones. She looked at it with her lips set in a thin line.

“Thanks.” She took it but wouldn’t even look at me. Kane rubbed his hand over my hip.

“Brooklyn, I’ve got something for you,” he said.

Her dark eyes sparkled happily as he handed her a small box. She tore through the shiny silver paper and delicate red ribbon to reveal a Tiffany blue box. Kane seemed to be holding his breath as she opened it.

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