After dinner, Mollie took Ellie to her room to show her all her mermaid items while I did the dishes. Ellie offered to help, but I was so glad that Mollie was opening up that I didn’t want it to stop. When I was finished cleaning up, we all played a game, which Ellie won. I was surprised she didn’t let Mollie win, but I was touched when Mollie gave her a hug to congratulate her.
“Time to get ready for bed little bug.” I put the lid on the game box.
“Aww…Just a little longer?” Mollie clasped her hands together in a prayer position.
“It’s a school night. Go get your jammies on and brush your teeth.”
She pouted, and I hated it when she looked so sad. I suspected she knew it as she often used it to try and get her way. I looked at Ellie instead.
“That’s my cue to go,” she said.
“Actually, can you wait?” A strange desperation came over me. Like Mollie, I wasn’t ready for the evening to end. “I’d like to talk with you for a minute before you go.”
“Sure.”
“You can wait on the balcony if you like. It’s nice out there tonight.”
She nodded and I watched as she made her way outside. Then I went to check on Mollie.
“I like Ms. Webb, daddy.” Mollie was tucked into her mermaid sheets with her mermaid doll in her arm.
“I could tell. I hope school is more fun for you now.”
“Billy told the whole class I don’t have a mommy.”
Billy was an asshole, or whatever the five-year-old equivalent of asshole was. “Honey, you have a mommy, she just isn’t here.” I wish I knew how to explain this to her especially since she seemed to take it so personally. Like there was something wrong with her that made Tiffany leave. The truth was, Tiffany was a selfish bitch. Mollie deserved better.
“Do you think I could get a new mommy? I like Ms. Webb.”
I nearly choked. I decided to change the subject, a trick my mother called redirection. “Maybe we can take Ms. Webb for a picnic sometime. You like picnics too, don’t you?”
Mollie nodded and yawned.
“I love you.”
“Love you, daddy.” She turned over hugging her doll to her.
I closed her door and picked up the monitor from the living room as I headed out on the balcony. Yes, Mollie was five, but I still had to be able to hear her. I set the monitor on the little patio table.
“She’s all set?” Ellie asked standing at the rail looking over the ocean.
“Yep.”
She nodded toward the monitor. “Does she get up a lot or sleepwalk?”
I could feel the heat of embarrassment on my cheeks. “No. I’m just a cautious parent.”
Ellie smiled and it made my heart stop. “There’s nothing wrong with loving and protecting your child.”
I stepped closer to her, wanting desperately to kiss her. It was maddening just how much I needed to touch her. A part of me said to send her home, but the ache in my body wouldn’t let me.
“Thank you for coming tonight, and for making her happy.”
“My pleasure.” A soft pink blush rose to her cheeks and I wondered if she was thinking of the pleasure I’d given her over the weekend. She cleared her throat and looked out over the water again for a moment before turning her attention back to me. “She’s shy, but with a little coaxing and patience did well today.”
“I think you’re magic because in one day you’ve done what two other teachers haven’t been able to do in eight months of school.”
“I’m just glad she enjoyed it.”
The wind blew her ponytail back and I itched to release it so I could watch all those dark waves.
“Do you enjoy it?”
“Teaching?” She beamed, “Yes. I love it.”
“What about being taught?” That warning bell was growing louder as I maneuvered into new territory of discussion.
She bit her lower lip as her blush reddened. “I enjoyed that too.”
“I liked teaching.” I stepped closer to her. “There’s more to learn, Ellie, if you want.”
Her blue eyes looked conflicted.
“I know I said just the weekend. And I have to be honest, I still can’t offer you anything more than pleasure. But I dreamt of you last night.” I moved in closer so that we were millimeters apart. Her sweet scent filled my nose.
Her breath hitched. “You did?”
“I dreamt I ate your sweet pussy.” My hand slid up her thigh, pulling the skirt of her dress up. “You never let me do that and I’m dying to taste you.” My fingers slipped under the panel of her panties. “You’re wet, Ellie. Is that because of me?”
She nodded and closed her eyes as my fingers stroked her wet pussy. “Yes.”
Seeing my chance, I dropped down to my knees, pulling the lace panties down her legs.
“Will.” Her voice was strained as if she wanted me to stop, and yet never stop, at the same time. “What about Mollie…your neighbors?”