Deacon held her closely, kissing her with intensity. “I’ll let you amuse me anytime, my love. I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be, than deep inside of you.”
She stiffened slightly and he sensed he’d struck a nerve. He hadn’t meant to say anything offensive, it was actually a song lyric he remembered from long ago.
“I’m sorry, I said something wrong again.”
“No. It’s all right, you couldn’t have known….”
“Pete used to say the same thing?”
“No. I used to listen to that song a lot after his accident, that’s all. That one verse really struck home. Let me think, how did it go?” She sat a moment, muttering the words to herself.
Kacy sang softly, her voice sweet and full of longing. “I’m all right on my own, and then I met you.” She paused, wiping a tear from her cheek with the heel of her hand. “I thought I was doing fine, and then I met you. I used to think it was Pete who was my soul mate, but he wasn’t at all. It was you all along, and I botched it up. I got it wrong, until now.” She paused again, shaking her head sadly. “I’m not making sense, am I? Just babbling like a crazy woman.”
Deacon laughed quietly. “No, strangely enough, I really understand. That’s one reason I love you so much. No matter how crazy it might sound to someone else, to me, you make perfect sense.” He kissed her lightly on the nose. “So you go ahead and babble, Hillary Kassandra Du Champs and I’ll listen.”
“Deacon Phineas Stewart,” she said, her accent broadening the vowels. “I’d have you carry me to the bed, but you’re a gimp.”
“This gimp could outrun Seabiscuit, if you were waiting at the finish line.”
“On your mark,” she stood up suddenly. “Get set!” Deacon struggled to rise from the couch. “Go!”
Instead of running, he grabbed her and dragged her back down on the couch, tickling her mercilessly.
“False start! You started to run before you said Go!”
“I didn’t, I swear! Scout’s honor!”
“A likely story!” He tickled her until she gasped for breath. “I don’t want to race. I just want to make love to you.” He sang softly, kissing her deeply.
They walked back to the bedroom, Deacon leaning on his cane and supported by Kacy. He made love to her sensuously and slowly, savoring every curve of her body. He traced the line of her breasts with his fingers, enjoying the extra fullness that her pregnancy gave them. He held her like spun glass, gently caressing her as if he were afraid she would break. Each touch of his hands excited her more, and she found she couldn’t wait to feel him inside her. She’d never experienced anything like the sensations Deacon gave her. Not even Pete had lit fires in her, like he did. She delighted in his touch and found herself wishing their love making never had to end. They reached the inevitable conclusion and she sighed heavily, resting her cheek on his chest.
Deacon stroked her hair, laughing softly. “Did you mean to bite the hell out of me?”
“Did I?” She blushed deeply, rubbing the bruise she’d left on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, I was thinking of the neighbors.”
“Next time, just scream, it’s a lot less painful!”
He tousled her hair happily, struggling to rise for a shower. As he tried to stand, she went to start the hot water. He hobbled in after her, holding the wall for support.
“Ev called while you were sleeping,” he told her casually.
“He did? Oh, I completely forgot to call them! They must have been worried sick! Nancy’s like my Gran, she imagines things that can go wrong, and works up an entire scenario of disasters. Poor Ev.” She smiled despite herself.
“He said she was working up into a lather, so I’m glad he reached us. Besides, he had news that is going to interest you.”
“Oh?” She got in the shower and helped him over the ledge, steadying him with surprising strength.
“Yes,” he grinned. “He did some digging. He’s put it all together for us! He found the connection!”
“You’re kidding! How?”
“He didn’t go into details, and I didn’t ask. He got curious about how they could have gotten hold of that picture of Pete.”
“That’s been bothering me too, but I just pushed it aside. What did he find out?”
Deacon told her about the lawyer’s office. Before he finished, she was glaring angrily past his shoulder, into the distance.
“That bloody bastard!” Her accent was stronger than ever. “That foul, vile reprobate! There aren’t words to describe how low that is! To use something like that against us! How could he?”
“Because he’s a ruthless businessman, Kacy. There must be hundreds of millions riding on this deal. If he can get the land cheaply, by using underhanded means, sell it off to Green’s Gym using Obamilmerl as a front and handle the sale as a lawyer, think how much he could make!”
“It’s—indecent!”
Her eyes flashed dangerously and Deacon was very glad she wasn’t angry with him.
“But devilishly clever. He must have been using the kid to keep him out of it. Probably promised him a cut, when the deal went through.”
©2021 Dellani Oakes
Dellani Oakes 