Her thighs began to tremble as he took her higher, not breaking his rhythm. She tugged him closer. His c**k stretched the front of his jeans at that. Wanting to be where his fingers were. He forced patience, wanting to make this all about her. Wanting to show her what she was to him.

His eyes may have watered from her grip in his hair when she came in a hot rush against his mouth. But he wanted more. Continued nuzzling and kissing until she hit another climax and finally pushed him back as her chest heaved.

“Now that we’ve taken the edge off, I propose we get totally naked and get flat so I can f**k you so hard your tits jiggle just the way I like.”

Minutes later, he lay on his back with a beautiful woman straddling his body. “Life is good.”

She gave him a smile, but he saw the sadness still in her eyes. He was pretty sure he hadn’t caused it or she wouldn’t be f**king him just then. He’d get her all buttered up first and he’d talk to her about whatever it was.

She rose and fell on him, her hair sliding forward over her shoulders, hiding her face here and there. Her body was tight around his. Wet from his mouth and her climax. The weight of her made him happy, felt right as her inner thighs slid over his hipbones. He wanted her so much it nearly hurt, but when they were like this, nothing else mattered. When they were like this, she was his and he had no doubts of it.

Her nails scraped down over his chest, pausing at his ni**les, playing until he writhed with how good it felt. This was a surprise to him. He’d never thought much about his ni**les, being so fond of the female variety and all. Leave it to Lily to know though.

She took her time. Slow and deep, teasing him, bringing him into a rhythm only the two of them knew. Seductive. Soft like her skin, and yet heady, sticky and unbelievably hot. She added a swivel and he might have blacked out for just a second it was so good.

“I know you’re down there thinking about when you can take over.” One corner of her mouth quirked up.

Yes, he liked being in control.

“You’re doing just fine for now. I especially like…mmm, yes that little swivel there.”

She undulated on him and he thanked the heavens above she took those dance classes in high school. The woman knew how to work her hips to the greatest effect.

He slid his palms up her sides to her br**sts, playing with her ni**les through the material of the tank. She arched to get closer and her pu**y rippled around him when she did.

That’s when he couldn’t take any more and rolled, flipping them over so he could be on top and in control.

She laughed, but it wasn’t mocking.

A laugh that died on a moan when he picked up the pace and began to f**k her in hard, feral digs. Her nails dug into his biceps as she wrapped her legs around his waist to change his angle and get him even deeper.

There was no sound but the blood rushing in his ears and the soft slap of wet flesh meeting. Her skin slid against his, sweat making the friction sweeter until he couldn’t take it another second and blew hard, deep inside, her name a plea on his lips.

He petted down her side as she snuggled into his body.

“Now that I’m sated for a few minutes, why don’t you tell me about it?”

She sighed. “What do you mean?”

He turned her to face him. “What made you cry? I can see you’re upset. What’s wrong?”

“I confronted my mother today about the drinking and pills.”

“I take it it didn’t go well?”

He was trying very hard not to sound like he was upset or pissed off. The way this issue made him react wasn’t about her and it wasn’t the time for his feelings on it.

“She was defensive.” Lily shrugged.

“Did she see she’s got a problem?” He doubted it. Hell his father had landed Tate in the hospital with a concussion more than once. And he was still an abusive drunk. Not that they had much to do with him after he’d been caught blackmailing her some years before.

“Maybe I’m overreacting. She’s sure there’s no problem and who am I to deny her that little bit of peace?”

“Fuck that, Lily. She’s got kids. Her son has been in danger of failing all year. He’s making you chase him over fences and attend classes with him because she’s more concerned about her pills and oblivion than her damned job as a mother.”

She huffed a breath and extricated herself, quickly putting her boxers back on and getting some distance. Distance that only made him crankier.

“She’s had her entire life upended. He’s taken everything from her and she’s not a young woman anymore. She’s got to face a life as an older woman. Alone. It’s hard enough to date when you’re in your twenties and thirties, she’s sixty-five. Anyway, they’re prescription pills.”

“God, don’t tell me you’re getting caught up in her excuses. Lily, addicts always have excuses. It’s what enables them to keep abusing their substances of choice. Her problems won’t go away because she ignores them. You know that.”

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I’m so very tired of talking about problems.” She put her robe on and left the room.

He followed her out. “Won’t go away if you ignore them either. What about Chris?”

She threw her hands up. “I’m doing all I can. I’m not a superhero. I gave up a great job to come here and pick up after other people. I’m here. I left everything behind and I’m so exposed and raw and I just don’t want to talk about it. Every time I try to help I f**k it up anyway. She’s pissed at me. Nancy is using that to try to make trouble, and around all that, I have to keep Chris away from it.” Her voice wobbled a little and his belly ached to hear it.