She moves faster as she chases her orgasm, pushing me over the edge. I thrust up hard as a shout escapes my lips. It’s toe-curling, body-numbing, earth-fucking-shattering carnality.
She slumps against me and neither of us moves for a long time.
CHAPTER 22
DELLA
It helps knowing people with a lot of money. I didn’t have to wait months before I got to testify against Stew Roberts.
He was sentenced today and I got to see how he was taken away in cuffs. It’s was a liberating moment which I needed it.
The guys wanted to throw a party to celebrate but I stopped them. I’d rather have a quiet dinner with all my friends seeing as it will be Jamie’s first day at school tomorrow.
She convinced me to use the money in the swear jar so we could take-out for everyone.
“Pizza,” Rhett hollers as he sees all the boxes on the counter. “A meal fit for a king.”
“My daddy’s a king,” Danny says as she goes to hug Rhett. “Are you a king, Uncle Rhett?”
He kisses her chubby cheek as he picks her up. “Not yet, baby-girl. I need a princess of my own before I can be a king.”
“What are you then?” she asks innocently.
“I’m a legend, baby-girl.”
He sets her down and she comes running over to me. “Mommy, he’s a lege … a lege … he’s my uncle Ledge.”
I laugh and look over to Rhett. “Hey, Uncle Ledge.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him.
“I like that. Ledge. Damn, I always wanted a cool name.”
“Uncle Ledge, I want some pizza. Some of the cheesy ones.” Danny starts to climb up his leg so he has no choice but to pick her up again.
I sit down at the kitchen counter as everyone starts to arrive.
Rhett starts to feed Danny, but she has to kiss his cheek every time she wants a bite. She’s got him eating out of her tiny hand.
***
CARTER
I wait in the kitchen for the girls to finish up. My apartment smells of all their different perfumes.
I glance around and smile when I see Danny’s coloring book and crayons lying on the floor. Jamie’s jacket lies over the back of one of the couches. Della’s bag is on the counter. Everywhere I look, I see something that belongs to them. They’ve made this place their home. For the first time, I have a home with a heartbeat.
The girls walk into the kitchen and I place their lunch bags in front of them. I made one for Danny, too, even though she’ll be getting breakfast and lunch at the daycare she’s going to.
“It’s a big day for my girls.”
“You made us lunch,” Jamie says, pulling a scared face. “Is it edible?”
“Ha-ha. Aren’t you a funny one?” I smile when she looks inside the bag and smiles.
“I can get used to this.” Jamie turns to Della and Danny. “Will you give us a minute? We’ll be right down.”
“Sure,” Della winks at me and grabs all their stuff.
Jamie waits for them to leave before she turns back to me. I’m surprised when her chin starts to tremble and tears well in her eyes.