Chapter 7

Trace

I adjusted myself in my jeans as Ben walked into the kitchen, smiling as he gave me a tight hug. “Hi, Dad.”

“How was school, buddy?” I asked as I returned it, realizing how much I missed him.

“It was great. What’s for dinner?” He went to get a drink from the fridge, giving me time to go wash my hands. I hoped that he couldn’t smell the sex in this room as I grabbed a paper towel to dampen it and wipe down the counter where Embry had just had the most beautiful orgasm that I’d ever seen.

“I went shopping today. How does some spaghetti and meatballs sound with some garlic bread tonight?” I thought of Embry in the bathroom with a small smile. Fuck it. We could all make dinner together. I thought about how long it had been since he’d felt that kind of connection in this house. It would make for a nice change.

“Great,” he replied as he checked his phone for a second.

“I have a friend here. She’s in the bathroom right now, but we can all cook together. How does that sound?”

Ben looked up at me, curiosity in his brown eyes. “Who is it?” he asked.

I went to toss the paper towel into the trash can. “She’s a friend from the base. How about you get some sauce going on the stove for me, and I’ll get her to help me with the meat?” Ben nodded.

I left the kitchen and slipped my hand over my throbbing cock as I walked down the hallway to get Embry. Jesus, I wanted to fuck her so bad. I tapped on the door, and she opened it slowly, peering out at me. “Want to help with dinner? Do you work tonight?”

“I don’t,” she said. “I was just helping with the deliveries today.” Her nose wrinkled at me adorably as I kissed it. “Are you sure? Will he mind?”

“Ben? No, not at all. It’ll be fun. We’re like professional chefs here.”

Embry laughed and tossed her hair over her shoulders. “Sure, you are,” she replied as she stepped closer to me.

I leaned in to kiss her, longing to close the door and finish what we started out there. She moaned and stroked me over my jeans as I tensed, her lips gentle against mine. “Are you going to be okay?” she asked.

I lowered my jeans quickly, closing the door as she dropped to her knees to relieve me of some of the pressure. It was quick, and soon, I was cleaning up. She laughed and waited in the hallway for me.

I never dated in the past six years, not to the point that Ben met any other women. This was kind of a big deal, but he was twelve, and I liked Embry. I thought that he might as well.

I led her down the hallway into the kitchen, where Ben was pouring some tomato sauce into a big pot. “Ben, this is Embry. She works on the base. Embry, this is my son, Ben.”

I watched as they shook hands and sized each other up for a moment. He was as tall as she was already, but I was six foot five and knew that Ben was going to take after me. I pulled the meat from the fridge and mixed it in a bowl before I added some of the ingredients to make one of his favorite dinners.

Ben got to talking about school, and they had a lot of similar interests. Embry knew a lot of the games and music that he liked. I watched them bond, feeling like an old man as they talked and laughed. I was considerably older than Embry was, but I didn’t give a shit. I wanted this girl, and as we sat down to eat, I took her in as she advised my son about something going on with a friend at school.

Embry could be good for both of us. I caught her eyes throughout the evening when Ben was distracted, making sure she knew what I wanted to do to her later with just a few looks. The attraction between us was undeniable, and she blushed as she met my gaze and twirled some noodles on her fork. Even though I’d done a few things to her, both here and at the bar, Embry was still innocent. She was beautiful with her clean face and messy, braided hair that reminded me of her age.

Ben took her into the living room to show her his newest game. I grabbed a beer, taking them in for a moment. With Embry in my life, I could provide something real for Ben again. His mother was never this good with him, and I realized that she never wanted a kid at all. Granted, it was a surprise for me as well, but I rolled with it while she just drifted further away.

They talked until I told him to take a shower before bed. I sat on the couch with her as he headed up the stairs. I slipped an arm over her shoulders and leaned over to tell her how much she turned me on, making Embry laugh. I told her that Ben would be in bed in about an hour, if she wanted to stay over for a while.

Embry agreed. I kissed her neck gently, teasing her all over again as I whispered what I wanted to do to her. I was losing all control with this woman, and even though it scared me, it also made me want a future with her. It made me want to live again.