“Do you want me to stay with Anthony here?”

  Esther shook her head while saying “Yes” and she knew it confused Melanie even more. Tears pricked her eyes, and she hoped Melanie didn’t get mad and leave, didn’t see her own confusion over her feelings as a weakness or a nuisance. “Yes, I do want you to stay.”

  “And what do you want me to stay for, exactly?”

  That Esther could easily answer. She wanted to do everything with Melanie. She wanted to taste her, touch her, feel her. She wanted their skin plastered together, sliding one against the other as the sweat from their bodies mingled. Tingles filled her nerves, pooling between her legs as she refocused her eyes, hoping that the desire she felt reflected in her gaze. “I want you.”

  “You want me for what?” Melanie’s voice deepened, desire in each word, and Esther was so glad to hear it.

  Licking her lips, Esther kept their gazes locked as she answered confidently. “I want my mouth on you again. I want to make you come so many times that you lose track. I want to feel you against me, riding my thigh, grasping hold of me tightly.” Esther’s breath hitched as the thoughts potentially became reality. She could imagine everything vividly as she said it, and she didn’t want to stop. “I want your fingers inside me, teasing me, pleasuring me.”

  Melanie’s lips parted, and Esther had to resist leaning in to capture them in a kiss.

  “Will you stay for that?”

  “Y-yes,” Melanie stuttered. “And in the morning?”

  “Tomorrow morning will be like this morning.” Esther looked her directly in the eye. “No different.”

  “Somehow I imagine it’ll be vastly different.” Melanie leaned in and kissed her, full of heat. Her tongue glided along Esther’s lips before she allowed Melanie in, tangling their tongues together as she wrapped her arms around Melanie’s neck to hold on.

  It was so easy to fall with her, to forget the worries and fears and doubts. It frightened her that it was so easy. She’d been on guard for a decade and had never allowed herself to have this many of her walls come down at once, but Melanie was so good to her.

  “Are we doing this here or in the bedroom?” Mel murmured.

  Esther groaned, not wanting to answer, but she knew she had to. She knew they had to move in case Anthony were to surprise them suddenly. Pressing her forehead into Melanie’s shoulder, Esther drew in a steadying breath before standing up. She tossed a “come hither” look over her shoulder and immediately walked toward the bedroom, not even double-checking the locks on the front door or the windows. She could risk it just this once.

  When they stepped into her bedroom, Esther shut and locked the door, immediately pulling off her t-shirt as she walked straight into Melanie and pushed her back onto the bed. She didn’t want it sensual like last time. Esther wanted it hot. She wanted to have no doubts in her mind what Melanie was feeling.

  Stripping Melanie’s T-shirt, she dropped it onto the floor and covered Melanie’s breasts with her hands, massaging before she reached around and flicked the clasp of her bra. Esther’s breathing became rapid as she pressed kisses against Melanie’s chest, down to her breasts, sucking her nipples between her lips. Melanie’s hands tangled in her hair, holding her firmly in place as she lavished the sensitive skin.

  God, this was glorious. She never wanted to give this up. She never wanted to live without this kind of unrestrained passion, which was honestly something she had never experienced before. Melanie unhooked Esther’s bra and dropped it to join their clothes. Esther made quick work of Melanie’s jeans and underwear, pushing them down her hips to her knees before pushing hard against Melanie’s hips so she fell back to sit on the edge of the bed.

  Esther didn’t wait. She couldn’t.

  Getting on her knees, Esther kissed the inside of Melanie’s thigh, excitement running through her. She moved up one leg, then started at the knee of the other. Melanie writhed, her ankles still caught by her pants and her shoes, but Esther didn’t release her yet. She could already see Melanie glistening for her.

  “Mel?”

  “Hmm?” Came the distracted reply.

  “Can I?”

  “Hell yes,” Melanie answered. “Do it already.”

  Leaning in, Esther touched her tongue against Melanie’s swollen lips, the sweet flavor bursting on her tongue. She hummed satisfaction as she moved in more, wanting more, needing more. Esther closed her eyes as she focused all her energy on pleasuring Melanie, on bringing her up to the brink just so she could do it again.

  Melanie lifted her knees up, straining against the fabric of her pants as she spread her legs more and clung to the sheets on the bed. Esther reveled in the moment. She had dreamed of having Melanie like this so many times she had lost count, and now it was actually happening. Melanie was letting her take control, letting her touch and pleasure her. And even better, it would be her turn next.

  Reaching in with one hand, Esther slid two fingers inside Melanie and pushed upward against the soft spongy flesh she found. Melanie gasped, which spurred Esther on even more. She reached down with her free hand to work at Melanie’s shoe until it fell to the floor and then pushed her pants over her foot. With more freedom to move, Melanie bucked her hips, rocked them, moved her clit into Esther’s waiting mouth.

  Esther pushed in more, sped up the movement of her tongue, the press of her fingers as she swiped back and forth. Melanie cried out, her voice echoing in the small room as her entire body jerked and Esther’s fingers were coated with a warm, sticky fluid. It was beautiful. She watched as she slowed her pace and Melanie was able to catch her breath and open her eyes. Melanie grinned down at her, shifting to move so she could finish undressing as Esther stood and did the same.

  Melanie scooted back onto the bed and touched herself while eyeing Esther. Pushing past the shyness that wanted to take over, Esther climbed onto the bed and bent down to kiss Melanie senseless. Instead, she ended up being the senseless one as she lost all track of what they were doing, who was in charge, and whose hands were where.

  This had been exactly what she wanted—Melanie against her, moving with her, their entire focus on each other. Melanie found her way between Esther’s legs, fingers sliding into heat. Esther rutted, she groaned, and for the first time in as long as she could remember, she completely let go.

  Even their first time together, she had held back. She hadn’t wanted to push. She hadn’t wanted to make Melanie’s first time with a woman a bad experience, but this was so different. In the few weeks since they had been together last, they had managed to find a way through so many barriers. This was exactly as it should be.

  Esther grunted, riding Melanie’s hand to her precipice and willingly falling over it, clutching Melanie as close to her as possible. This time when they kissed, it was messy. It was uncharacteristic. But mostly, it was pure and unadulterated. Esther bit her tongue to keep herself from speaking, but she knew that this was exactly what she had been looking for. This was what she had longed for. This was something she didn’t want to give up.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Melanie’s entire body ached. She couldn’t even remember what time they had fallen asleep, but it had been glorious pleasure up until that point. Shifting slightly, Melanie kept her eyes closed as she tried to figure out what time it was. The bed was warm, Esther behind her, closest to the door, as she stretched her sweetly aching muscles.

  “Melanie?” The whisper was so soft, but the pitch was too high and innocent to be Esther.

  She drew in a breath, letting it out slowly as her mind hummed through the last legs of sleep to find its way to the waking world.

  “Melanie?” The voice again.

  Prying one eye open, Melanie stared straight into Anthony’s curious amber eyes, his shaggy, sleep-mussed hair, and a slight smile playing at his lips. Immediately, without even consciously thinking about it, she pulled at the blanket to make sure her body was covered and he wouldn’t see anything.

  “You awake?” Anthony asked.

  Melanie could have laughed. She hadn’t been, but she had a distinct impression that Anthony was the reason she was awake now. She’d forgotten all about these kinds of mornings. Keeping her voice low to match his and not wake the sleeping Esther behind her, Melanie whispered, “Yeah. What’s up, bud?”

  “I wanna do something nice for Mom, but I need help.”

  “Okay?” Melanie reached up to clean the sleep out of her eyes. “What is it?”

  “Breakfast.” He grinned so widely that Melanie had to choke back her laugh.

  She was pretty sure Esther only ate breakfast to teach Anthony to eat breakfast, that if given the option, she would much prefer to skip it. Matching his smile, Melanie nodded at him. “Okay. Give me a minute and I’ll be out to help you.”

  Anthony grinned broadly, keeping quiet as he fisted his hands and raised them so they shook in front of him, his excitement evident on his face. Eventually, he turned around and tiptoed out of the room, shutting the door with a soft click.

  Melanie released a breath and closed her eyes, listening to the rhythmic breathing next to her. Esther was still fast asleep, which honestly shouldn’t surprise her. Melanie was pretty sure she would also still be asleep if Anthony hadn’t woken her up. It took more effort than she anticipated to force her body to move, but she slid out of the bed as quietly as she could manage.

  She was so sore. Her legs ached, her arms protested, but she narrowed her gaze until she could see the floor and found her clothes mostly in one pile on Esther’s side of the bed. She grabbed them and dressed in the dim light of the room since the sun wasn’t even up yet. What the hell time was it anyway?

  As soon as she was dressed, Melanie slipped out of the bedroom with her bare toes on the hardwood. Anthony was waiting for her at the end of the hall, eager anticipation written all over his face. Melanie bent down, her knees so mad at her as she did it. Once again she was reminded of how old she would be when this kid graduated high school.

  “Okay, what did you want to surprise your mom with?”

  “Breakfast! I want to bring her breakfast in bed.”

  Melanie grinned at him. “I think we can manage that, Chef Anthony.”

  He beamed.

  “What are we going to make her?”

  “Eggs and bacon?” He answered as though it were a question, and Melanie had to decide if that was what he really wanted or if he was thinking something else.

  “Let’s see what you’ve got in the kitchen. How about that?”

  Anthony nodded, then took Melanie’s hand and led the way. She followed, diligently. At least he knew better than to start the stove or oven without an adult present. That was a bonus, because waking up to the house burning down was not something Melanie looked forward to. Waking up to a five-year-old in her face was a much better alternative.

  When they got to the kitchen, Melanie breathed a sigh of relief that they had made it out of the bedroom without waking Esther up. That was a feat in and of itself, and a testimony to just how tired Esther really was. Anthony refused to let go of Melanie’s hand as he took her through the various cupboards in the kitchen to show her what food offerings they had.

  Melanie sat back and pursed her lips for a moment. “Do you want to make French toast?”

  “What’s that?”

  “Oh, kid, you have not lived until you’ve had French toast.” She smiled. “Grab the bread. I’ll get the eggs and butter.”

  “But can we have bacon?”

  “Yes, we can have bacon, too.” Melanie grabbed the meat while she was in the fridge and piled the counter with everything she would need.

  Anthony dragged a chair over from the dining room table, and together they stood at the counter while they mixed and stirred. When it came time for the stovetop, Melanie did everything, making sure Anthony didn’t accidentally burn himself in the process. She was pretty sure Esther would never forgive her if that happened.

  They went through all of the steps, and by the time they were finished with breakfast, there were heaping plates for each of them. Melanie never had been able to cut down from cooking for five to cooking for fewer, especially with as much as Jeremy could eat.

  They made a special plate specifically for Esther, and Anthony snagged a serving tray from somewhere. Melanie knew they’d be doing dishes for the next hour. It would be her pleasure though.

  Melanie waited as long as she felt she could, giving Esther as much time to sleep as possible. Eventually Anthony was restless, and she had no choice but to let him wake her up. Melanie held the tray as Anthony opened the door to the bedroom. Luckily, Esther’s naked body seemed to still be covered by the blankets, otherwise Melanie would have had to try something different to cover her.

  Anthony stepped right up close to his mother and settled a hand on her arm gently. Then he rubbed his fingers up and down her arm. Melanie wondered if he had done the same to her, and if that was why she had woken so gently to a five-year-old. Usually her kids, when they were that young, would poke her or awkwardly stare until she woke with a start. This seemed to be a much better way.

  Esther rustled, pushing her face into the pillow and groaning lightly as she was torn from her slumber. Melanie regretted it in some ways, and in others she was excited for the treat Anthony had insisted on preparing. It would be a wonderful surprise that he probably never got to do for his mother.

  “Mom,” Anthony murmured, saying it loud enough that it would get Esther’s attention. “Mom, wake up. I got a surprise for you.”

  “Do you?” Esther’s sleepy voice answered.

  Melanie couldn’t stop the smile from taking over. This would be a delight in so many ways.

  Esther finally opened her eyes, keeping her hand firmly on the blanket by her chest. She peeked at Anthony with an unguarded grin before her gaze cast on Melanie, and her smile faltered for a moment.

  “We made you breakfast in bed,” Anthony loudly and excitedly proclaimed.

  Melanie held the tray firmly in her fingers, trying to read into the look Esther had given her moments before, except it was gone as she focused on Anthony. Keeping her mouth shut, she let Anthony do the talking.

  “It’s not eggs and bacon, but Ms…Melanie helped me make French toast.”

  “We also made coffee,” Melanie chimed in, finally, knowing Esther would want that as well. “Ours is in the dining room.”

  “We thought you could eat in here.” Anthony was so proud of himself. It was a beautiful sight to see.

  Esther shifted on the mattress, moving to sit up and keeping the blanket tight around her chest. As she settled, Melanie leaned in and put the tray of food next to her on the bed. Anthony pointed to each item and explained what it was, but Melanie could tell that Esther only heard parts. Her gaze was solely on Melanie’s, her lips parted, still red from the night before, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes wide. She looked so innocent and so worried wrapped up in one.

  “Anthony, would you give your mom and me a minute? I’ll join you in the kitchen in a second, okay?”

  “Okay.” He moved in to hug his mom before sauntering out of the bedroom, leaving the door wide open.

  Knowing she was going to have to keep her voice down, Melanie leaned in closer. “He woke me up with this idea.”

  “When did he wake you?”

  “An hour ago?”

  “Did he seem… I don’t know.”

  Melanie shook her head and brushed her fingers across Esther’s forearm. “He hasn’t said a word about finding me here, and I’m not sure it even registered what was happening.”

  “Oh.” Esther’s cheeks turned a bright shade of red. “I guess that’s a good thing, then.”

  “Maybe.” Melanie traced her thumb back and forth. “We can talk about it later. I figure you might like a morning being pampered.”

  Esther nodded, though she didn’t seem to register the words. Melanie let the topic drop. She moved in and gave Esther a quick kiss on the head.

  “Feel free to bring it out and join us if you want.”

  Esther nodded. “I might do that. I prefer company.”

  “I’ll let Anthony know and smooth any ruffled feathers about breaking from the plan.” Melanie stood up, gave Esther a lingering and knowing gaze, then she left the bedroom and shut the door carefully behind her.

  Esther sat naked in the bed with only the thick comforter covering her. Her heart raced. Anthony could not be so dense to have missed this, could he? God, she hoped he was. How was she going to explain to him that sex wasn’t all about making babies, because that was what he had been taught. Not by her, but he was five, and wouldn’t there be questions for his inquisitive mind?

  She shifted her gaze to stare down at the tray of food, the golden brown French toast with syrup drizzled over it, powdered sugar sprinkled on top. The coffee steamed from the mug, a healthy dose of milk mixed in already, just like she liked it. Her lips twitched upward as tears pricked at her eyes.

  She was crazy. She really was, because every thought about Anthony finding out about the two of them stopped instantly. She wanted this. She’d been so sure of it the night before, so confident, and it was stupid of her to think anything different just because it was morning and her precious routine had been thrown to the wind.

  Full out grinning, Esther reached down and turned the plate slightly as she stared at it. Melanie had snuck out of bed, without her waking—a minor miracle in and of itself—and had spent time with her son. And not just any time, but they had spent those precious minutes, perhaps even an hour, doing something for her. She’d never had that before. Skip had never…

  Esther trailed off in that thought. Skip. He’d be picking Anthony up from daycare the next day, and she would be left with a lonely, quiet house again. If he found out about Melanie, it could be the end of both their careers. Except, Melanie had said she would fight, and for the first time since she began teaching, Esther felt like she had a principal who would fight with them, at the very least for Melanie.