Page 93 of Rebound

“Oh boy,” Violet says.

“What you drinkin’ on, Ms. Scott?” June Bug asks. “Let’s go to the bar and get you something. You look thirsty.” Before she can respond, he tucks her arm in his, and they walk away.

“Don’t mind me. I’m not thirsty,” Violet says to their retreating backs. “And Terri, we have a reservation in ten minutes,” she says, her voice louder this time, but Terri doesn’t reply. I don’t think she hears.

“Just stay and have dinner here,” Vickie says. “Jeannie, this is who I’ve been working out with. She’s family now, and she still won’t go easy on me.”

“I’m hardest on family,” Violet says.

“I’m joining your gym,” Jeannie says. “I need my waist snatched.”

“That’s my specialty,” Violet says.

“Come on.” Vickie puts her arm through Violet’s. “Let’s get you something to drink, and you know Colt will be upset if he doesn’t get to see you.”

“I could have beaten you,” I announce to Seth the moment we get inside the honeymoon suite at The Plaza.

“Uh-huh,” he says. He takes me, turns me around, and pushes me against the wall where he unzips and pulls off my pants. Seconds later, all my clothes are off. He stands back and looks at me in a white thong and a matching satin bra. He whistles. “My wife is so fucking sexy.”

The words are barely out of his mouth before he rips the thong off and unsnaps the bra. I’m off my feet and being carried to the bed before I can react. He tosses me onto the giant California King before he removes his shoes and undresses himself.

He dives on top of me and smothers whatever I was going to say in a hungry, desperate kiss. His kiss is rough and rushed, but his hands are smooth as they roam over my body.

“Open your legs,” he orders. I can barely move with him on top of me. He gets impatient and spreads my legs open himself before sliding inside of me without a second’s hesitation.

“Oh my god. This is so good.” I crack the lobster tail, dip the meat in the garlic butter sauce, and take a bite. “Mmhmm,” I moan. I put the rest to Seth’s mouth and he devours it. “Dammit Seth, you almost swallowed my hand.”

“I don’t want to do that,” he says. “You give good hand jobs.”

“Jesus,” I say shaking my head. I grab a French fry and dip that in the garlic butter too. It’s almost midnight, and after hours of lovemaking, we order a decadent dinner, complete with champagne. “Filet mignon me,” I command. He cuts a piece of the steak and puts it in my mouth. “God, that’s like butter. More,” I say.

“You eat a lot. Good thing I wouldn’t care if you gain a million pounds.” I gasp and punch his arm. “I don’t. That’s part of the love thing, I guess. I’d look at you, and you’d still be sexy. I’d bang a million pound Layla.”

“That’s almost sweet, even though that’s gonna give me nightmares. I’m joining Violet’s gym when Jeannie signs up.”

Chapter 59

Layla

The next few weeks fly by, and I do my best to enjoy every moment I can with Seth and Jasmine. We talk to his dad every day, and each time, he promises he will come visit soon. I visit Gaga every day too, and Seth comes with me most days. She’s not improving, and although her PT was going well, that’s come to a halt. She’s no longer capable of taking orders, and a few times, she became combative with the physical therapist. The last few times I was there, she didn’t speak to me at all. She stared straight ahead the entire time and didn’t even bother to look at the television. Seth came to pick me up and brought Jasmine. That was the only time Gaga cracked a smile. Jasmine sat on the bed with her while she watched a cartoon.

The Mischiefs have started training camp, so Seth isn’t at home all day anymore. He’s busy, and when he’s not at camp, he’s playing with Chastain and his other teammates. If he’s not doing that, he’s working out, but he makes sure to be done by the time I get home from work.

He says the evenings are for the family. He will cook most nights, and when he’s done, we’ll clean up together before I bathe Jasmine. I find that I love the nighttime routine I have with Jasmine. It’s my time alone with her, and she looks forward to story time each night.

Despite his father and my grandmother, life has been great. He tells me he loves me every day before I leave for work and every night. If he calls me during the day, we’ll say it before ending the call. We make love each night, and afterward, I fall asleep in his arms.

“Mama!” Jasmine says, taking me out of my thoughts. She jumps on the bed before she runs away from me. She does this every morning when I’m getting her dressed. I wait, and she runs back to me. I open my arms and she comes in. “Kiss,” she says, and I kiss her forehead.

“Let’s get you dressed. Thank goodness I do this now and not your daddy. He must be colorblind,” I say, and Jasmine laughs as if she understands me.

“Funny,” Seth says. He comes into the bedroom holding a pink tutu. “Put that on her,” he says, and I snatch it from him. Jasmine loves her tutus, so I don’t complain. “I probably won’t be home until four,” he says. “After training camp, the owner invited us to his house for some sort of team-building exercise.” He makes a face. “I’m already sick of that guy.”

That guy is Ryder Valen, the owner’s grandson. Mr. Valen has retired, and Ryder is now the official face of the team.

“Okay. I’m meeting Jeannie and Vickie at the park since it’s a warm day. Jeannie’s bringing the babies, and Vickie is bringing Johnny.”

“Ice cream,” Jasmine yells.

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