Page 70 of Mother Pucker

Shayla and the blonde exchange a look, their lips twitching, before they’re laughing, too.

And, fuck it, so am I. If this isn’t the craziest welcome I’ve ever gotten, then I don’t know what is.

twenty-two

rowan

She tucksher legs under her, her smile practically taking over her entire face. Her golden hoops twinkle from her ears. “Try it.”

We’re sitting on my living room couch after having done some strengthening exercises. I really don’t need them anymore since my thigh seems to have healed considerably, but Shay insists it’s important. Plus, I like having an excuse for her to come over.

A part of me doesn’t know what the status of our situation would be if I no longer required the physical therapy sessions. And since both she and I know that time is coming to an end, I’m too afraid to ask.

I inspect the green slush in my hand, both with my eyes and my nose, taking a tentative whiff. I’m no newbie to smoothies and protein shakes, but this? I’m feeling about as green as this looks. “What’s in it?”

Her shoulders slump as if I’ve already said no. “Will you just taste it? I got groceries and stocked up your fridge and pantry with all sorts of healthy ingredients, so you can make these smoothies yourself when I’m not around.”

Oh goodie!

When I continue to examine what can be described as green goop, Shayla huffs, “Fine. There’s kale, blueberries, banana, matcha, kiwi, and almond milk. Oh, and I also added walnuts and peanut butter for protein.”

Hmm. Those don’t sound terrible, though, this smoothie is the ugliest looking thing I’ve ever seen. I hesitantly touch my tongue to the rim, making Shay roll her eyes.

“Will you just take a sip! Everyone at the house loves it!” She amends her statement at my squint, “Okay, so Cortney really loves it. And it’s so good for you.”

“Babe, just because things are good for you, doesn’t mean they should be blended together and shoved down your throat. Most people like to enjoy their food.”

Shay sighs as her only response, and I know I have to bite the bullet. In all honesty, I’m wondering if biting anactualbullet might be less painful.

Praying to Jesus internally, I take a bigger sip, rolling the mixture around my tongue like a wine sommelier. Except, this tastes nothing like wine . . .

“There’s this,” I wave my hand, all while trying not to gag. “This meaty flavor coming through that wasn’t on your list.”

“Oh right, I must have forgotten to mention it.”Uh huh. We know for damn sure she didn’t forget.“It’s bone broth and lima beans–”

“Ah, yup.” I nod, placing the glass on the coffee table and hoping the one sip I had doesn’t have the rest of today’s meals coming back up. “That’ll do it.”

Shay crosses her arms over her chest. “You didn’t even give it a real try! Do you know how good lima beans are for you? That smoothie has an entire serving of all the things you need daily.”

I pull her onto my lap and she comes easily, despite her rigid stance. “I’ll tell you what, you take the lima beans–or any beans,for that matter–and the,” I shudder, “bone broth out of the next smoothie you make me, and I’ll drink it.”

That seems to placate her. “Fine, I’ll just start making it without those things. I bet Kai will like it better that way, too.”

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve made it a habit of cooking together in my kitchen. While I’m happy to just cook for her or get a healthy takeout, she’s insisted on learning and getting more comfortable in the kitchen.

Last week, we made fish curry and rice one day, and chicken parmesan the next time we hung out. We made lemon chicken a couple of days ago, and today Shay wanted to make her “famous” smoothies. Clearly, we have different definitions of the word famous, and I’ll need to order from anon-famousmenu later.

“Oh, and guess what?” She wiggles her ass on my lap, making my dick go from half-hard to rock solid in an instant. “I made the chicken parmesan you taught me for everyone at home last night.”

My brows rise. “What did they think?”

“Delia and Dylan poked it with their forks for a few seconds, as if they thought it would come alive, but after they tried it, they couldn’t believe I’d made it. Everyone loved it!” She lays kisses on my jaw before finding my mouth. “In fact, I thought I could thank you properly for teaching me.”

I nod. “It’s only fair that you do.”

I rise to my feet with her wrapped around me, while she kisses down my neck, and take her to my bedroom.

I swing my arm around her waist before she can get out of bed and put her clothes back on. This is the part of our time spent together I hate the most–when she has to leave.

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