Page 43 of If You Love Me

“Good morning, love,” I said, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

She pulled away. “We had a decent day, but we aren’t there, sir,” she said, shooing me away.

I raised my hands in surrender. “I apologize.”

“Mm hmm. You can wash your hands and cut up those mangos for Summer’s lunch.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I did as she requested and washed my hands. After drying them, I grabbed a knife, cutting board, and the peeler. For a while, we worked in silence. I kept glancing over at her. I assumed that she’d already showered because she was fully dressed in a crop top that showed off a sliver of her stomach, a pair of leggings, and fuzzy slippers.

My eyes kept traveling the length of her frame, lingering on the new roundness of her ass. I couldn’t get over this new body. Evenie had been on the slim-thick side the entire time we were together. Now she’d filled out. Her breasts were bigger, her hips and thighs had spread a little, and that ass… my goodness! Her body was insane.

I found myself biting my lip as I stared at her. It didn’t register that I’d been caught until my eyes met her face. She stood watching me with a hand on her hip.

“Can I help you with something over here, Tyrion?” she asked.

“I’m sorry.”

“Mm hmm. I’m sure your fiancée wouldn’t like you looking at me like that.”

I kissed my teeth. “Why would you bring her up?”

“For the same reason you invited her to go with us yesterday. Just to be saying shit.”

I signed. “I was trying—”

“I don’t need you to try anything. Yesterday was a day for you, me, and our child. I get it. She’s potentially gonna be her stepmother. I have to accept that I have to share her eventually, but right now, I get to be selfish with my baby. Besides, until we can come to an understanding about our positions in your life, me and her have nothing to talk about. Her little attitude is gonna make me slap her in the mouth, so you better handle that. Until you divorce me, I’m your wife. This is just as much my home as it is yours, so she doesn’t get to just pop in here whenever she feels like it. You wanna see her, go over there.”

I swallowed hard. Something about her putting her foot down did something to me. I was glad to see that this Leon character hadn’t broken her. She seemed stronger than she was. I mean, she was never weak, but I felt this strength in her that I hadn’t before. I had to respect it.

“I hear you,” I said finally.

“Good.”

She went to the cabinet and grabbed three plates to begin plating food. I’d just finished packing Summer Rose’s lunch when she came around the corner yawning.

“Good morning, princess,” I spoke.

“Good morning, Daddy.” She came to me for hugs and kisses, then went to her mother. “Good morning, Mommy.”

“Good morning, baby.”

Evenie’s smile was bright as she picked Summer up for a hug. She giggled as her mother smothered her face with kisses.

“Did you sleep good?” she asked.

“I did. I wish you would have slept with me, though. It’s nice having you to cuddle with.”

“How about you come cuddle in my bed tonight? We can have our own movie and little sleepover.”

“Oooo! Can you paint my nails and do my hair?”

“Of course I can. Find a style, and Mommy’s got you.”

Summer smiled as she wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

“Me too, baby.” I could hear the tears in her voice as she placed her on her feet. “Wash your hands so you can eat.”

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