Page 79 of Deprived No More

Stopping momentarily, he looks in my direction. “We’re even, man. You pull weekend shifts I can’t do because of mypersonal stuff. It’s not right, and I know it. But for now, there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m grateful the practice has brought me on, given my limitations. You guys didn’t have to. I may not always be able to help, but when I can, I’m happy to do it.” He gives me a slight wave and, if I’m not mistaken, the trace of a crooked smile before walking down the hall, leaving me to mull over our conversation.

* * *

“Daddy.” I can’t help but smile at my usual greeting, thankful some things never change.

“Hi, sweet girl. Did you have a good day?”

“Yes. Adam had a birthday, and we got cupcakes.”

“Wow, that is a great day. Where’s your mom, pumpkin?”

I follow her outstretched arm to the kitchen, where Kat is dancing in front of the stove. The relief I feel is immediate to see her relaxed enough that she’s able to embrace her Dirty Librarian again. Olivia returns to her seat on the couch next to Grace, where they’re watching a silly Nickelodeon sitcom about an unlikely superhero and his teenage sidekick. As I come up behind Kat, I check to ensure there’s nothing that will burn either of us if I startle her. Buttery green beans are sauteing in the pan as I hear Love Song by The Cure streaming from her earbuds.

Plucking one from her ear, I wait for her to turn, hoping I haven’t scared her. By the broad grin, I think she’s okay.

“How’s my dancing queen?” I ask.

“Better now,” she replies before extending her height on her tippy toes to greet me with a kiss.

Had this morning even happened? It feels like I’ve stepped back in time. Between the mind-blowing conversation with Holden and now this, I feel the need to ensure this whole day wasn’t a dream. “What’s for dinner?” I ask, resting my chin on her shoulder as she’s turned her back to me to resume stirring the vegetables.

“Sauteed green beans, pork chops, and applesauce.”

My stomach growls at the thought of one of my wife’s pork chops sitting on a plate. Nuzzling her neck, I smile. How could this day have turned out so well when it started as it had? If Kat hadn’t stopped me, I could be the one sitting in a jail cell right now instead of drooling over pork chops as she wriggles her hot ass against my growing dick.

Out of the blue, it hits me. It’s so quiet. “Where are the boys?”

“Oh, Nick.” Kat’s face instantly falls.

“What?”

“I’m a terrible mother. I told them they could go play their game until dinner. I just wanted to cook without having to yell over my shoulder at them.”

“Babe, you’re an incredible mother. Hell, I bought the damn thing. They aren’t on it much. You’re really good about keeping limits on it. How much longer ’til dinner’s ready?”

“About fifteen minutes.”

“I’ll change and take them out to kick the soccer ball around. Just yell when it’s ready.”

As I finish tucking in the boys, I can feel sleep calling my name. It’s been a long twenty-four hours. Between the chaos from finding out my wife’s stalker is my neighbor, my active kids, and a belly full of my wife’s cooking, I’m ready for bed.

I peek in on my girls and find they’re already fast asleep. As I make my way toward our bedroom, I find Kat curled up on her side.

“You okay?” I ask, sliding off my sweatpants and pulling my shirt over my head.

“I’m good,” she says, staring at my chest. After all of these years, my heart still skips a beat when she’s ogling my body.

Trailing my hands down the planes of my chest and abs, I reach down to give my cock a stroke and realize it’s as tired as I am. “I know all of this is tempting, but Daddy needs his sleep.”

“Oh, lord.” she laughs.

There’s my girl.

As I slide under the sheets, I roll onto my side, facing her. Reaching out to tuck a wayward lock of hair behind her ear, I take in the beauty in front of me. “How did I get so lucky?”

She smiles back at me, and I know we’re going to be okay. All of this is going to be okay.

“I didn’t tell you. Holden came by my office today.”

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