Chapter Forty-Six: More Than Just A Dream

Rei’s Point of View

I had just finished getting dressed when there was a knock on the door. I quickly scanned the floor and surrounding area to make sure I hadn’t missed any lost condoms from when I had dropped the box, and they’d gone everywhere in the room. Seeing no concerns, I opened the door to find Shiloh on the other side.

“Mom, you look great! I love those jeans on you,” she grinned.

They were very comfortable, and even though I wasn’t a fan of crop tops, the one Mary had picked out for me looked nice with the thin, loose-knit cardigan sweater.

“I want to borrow those platform boots, please,” my daughter added, and I smiled, knowing full well that if she liked them, I’d never see them again. Although Shiloh was taller than me, we did share the same shoe size.

“Xavier is here. Aunt Grace is talking to him. He brought the boys a Lego set to build and a gift card for me to buy a book. We did thank him; it was very generous of him. He brought you beautiful red roses, too. I put them in a vase with water in the kitchen, out of reach from the boys. Don’t worry,” my daughter said.

“Thank you for letting me know. I need to finish my makeup, and I’ll be right down,” I smiled in response.

It was thoughtful of Xavier to bring something for the kids and flowers for me, too. I was not expecting that.

“Mom, you have a bag ready this time, right?” my daughter asked, hands on her hips.

“Shiloh, I do, but I’ll be home later tonight,” I reassured my daughter as she arched an eyebrow.

“Mom, you are a nurse. I know that you are going to be safe. If you are going to stay overnight, just let Aunt Grace know. She’ll let us know in an age-appropriate way if you are not coming home. Don’t worry,” Shiloh said in a tone that I would use with her if I didn’t want her lying to me.

I shook my head and sighed, then pulled my daughter in for a hug.

“I love you, Shiloh, thank you,” I whispered as I held her tightly.

“Mom, Onyx, Salem and I really do like Xavier. We know that he makes you happy. Don’t feel like you can’t move on from dad. We want you to have love in your life, too,” Shiloh said and left my room.

I was glad I was not putting on mascara when Shiloh said that. I would have poked myself in the eye. My daughter never brought up her father. Ever. I chewed on my lip and wondered what would have prompted her to.

I inhaled deeply and decided to have a serious conversation with Shiloh tomorrow evening. I needed to find out why Greg was occupying her thoughts. Had someone at school said something? Perhaps a neighbour had made a snide comment once again? Or maybe my daughter was starting to think about dating.

I finished applying my makeup and then checked my mini bag's contents. I threw in the salted caramel lube because Mary had been right about the outfit, maybe she really did know what she was talking about with this stuff. I quickly snapped a selfie of myself and sent it to her with a promise to check in tomorrow evening. She responded immediately with a smiling emoji with hearts for eyes and the word ‘beautiful.’ I smiled, knowing that she thought so. I just hoped that Xavier would think so, too.

If things were going to progress as I hoped they would, I had plans to go on the birth control pill. I was pretty sure that Xavier and I were exclusive, but I’d never asked him that, but I hoped to do that tonight. I threw in another handful of condoms just to be on the safe side. It wasn’t him I was worried about wanting so much sex. It was me.

My dreams in the last few weeks were quite vivid and graphic. It seemed Xavier had awakened something in me, and I was hungry for more. It seemed like he felt the same way. I hoped that Xavier did. I would be devastated if he didn’t.

My plans for the evening were focused on one goal: giving him an incredible blow job. I had been researching different techniques and advice, determined to make it as pleasurable as possible. Last time, I was just going with my gut instinct, and while Xavier seemed satisfied, I wanted to truly satisfy him and bring him to climax in my mouth. I wanted to prove my dedication to pleasuring him. Not only that, I really enjoyed doing it and wanted to do it again. Often.

I grabbed my bag and walked slowly down the stairs. I was excited about the date but still a bit nervous despite everyone’s assurances that there was no reason to be. I had not seen Xavier since the last time he was here. What if it felt different when I saw him? What if this is all just in my head?

When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I saw Xavier sitting on the floor with Onyx and Salem, working to build the Lego set he had brought them. Grace and Shiloh were playing a video game together. It must have been some racing game because they were trash-talking each other and leaning intently into their controllers as if that would make the little image on the screen go faster. When I chuckled watching them, Xavier looked up, and his eyes met mine. The biggest smile crossed his face, and to say I felt butterflies would be an understatement.

“You look beautiful, Rei,” Xavier breathed, forgetting it wasn’t just the two of us in the room.

“Mommy, you look SO pretty!” Salem said and jumped up to hug me.

“Thank you, Salem, that’s very sweet,” I smiled.

“I hear that you are getting pizza and ice cream, plus extra time to play video games and watch a movie. What do you say to Auntie Grace for planning such a fun night?” I prompted.

“Thank you!” my children’s voices chorused before they resumed exactly what they were doing moments before I prompted them to use their forgotten manners.

“They thanked me, don’t worry,” Xavier grinned.

“I never properly thanked you. Shiloh told me about the gorgeous red roses you brought for me. I just have to see them before we leave," I smiled coyly.

"It was my pleasure," Xavier replied, his eyes smouldering with desire.

Sensing him coming up behind me in the kitchen, I spun around and pressed him against the wall. My arms circled his neck, pulling him down to my level as I kissed him with an insatiable hunger. No words could accurately describe my magnetic pull towards Xavier and my longing for him. Xavier deepened the kiss, lifting me up as he did, and I wrapped my legs around his waist.

Someone clearing their throat interrupted our moment. Xavier slowly put me down, and we turned to find Grace standing in the doorway, hands on hips and a stern expression on her face.

“Please tell me you at least looked at the beautiful flowers,” my best friend groaned.