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NANA IS POINTING AT a photo of a dark-haired Latino man in the center of her twenty-six-inch computer monitor.  I bite back my laugh at her crooked finger and the grin that creases her entire face.  I’m reading on the new Kindle Walker gave me two nights ago after dinner.  It’s the world’s best gift ever. He loaded it with over a hundred books already and it’s as close to heaven as I’ve ever been.

Nana’s voice is full of girlish wonder. “Now...oh, boy...this one here...”  She smacks her red lips like she’s chewing on something mouthwatering.  “I’d break a hip for him.”

“Oh my God, Nana.  It’s 6:30 in the morning,”  I chide playfully, but deep down I see the twinkle back in her eyes and know she’s happier than I’ve seen in longer than I can remember.  When we were back in Mexico, there’s no way she would have had the heart to get frisky.  “Have you been up all night looking at Senior Hook-Ups?”

And I have Walker to thank for that twinkle.  And possibly a broken hip.

After Nana saw me reading on the Kindle, she started griping about missing her computer games yesterday morning, Walker came home that evening with an entire set up for both of us, then proceeded to spend the night getting everything connected and installed.

This morning, after a few hours sleep, I came into Nana’s room to bring her a breakfast tray and there she was, bright-eyed and very bushy tailed. Walker said she stayed up and talked his ear off the entire time while he was setting up her desk and started elbowing him out of the way to log on as soon as he was done. 

Walker cooked veggie omelets and potato pancakes already this morning.  I told him, if he doesn’t knock it off I’m going to be waddling around here in no time.  But his reply left no doubt that no matter what my size, he’d be fucking me and loving me just as much as he does now.

We’ve been here just over a week now, settling in and making love every open opportunity it seems.  After what happened with Roman, I have to admit I’ve been shaken.  Truth is, every time I even think about going out I feel a ball of fear wrapped tight in my stomach.  Any progress I’d made on the panic of going out has been set back father than ever before.

Luckily, Walker takes care of me in such a way that I don’t even need to face that fear.  But I will.  He has been my rock, and he has awakened things in me I wasn’t even aware existed.  If I reach for him during the night, it seems it’s always just as he’s reaching for me.  My favorite is waking up with him already inside of me, or sleepy orgasms decorating my dreams whenever he eats me softly until I cum in my sleep.

I am a lucky, lucky girl.

The windows in Nana’s suite are open and there’s a fresh breeze blowing through.  She’s got her hair piled on top of her head with about a thousand bobby pins, and bright red lipstick rims her thin lips.

“Hey,” she scolds, turning in her chair to eye me as I’m taking a sip of coffee.  “I’ve been single going on fifty years, young lady.  I’m gonna get me some before I die.  Number one on my bucket list.”  Her hands both come up in the air to motion a set of air quotes.  “You know what I mean, don’t you?”

I shake my head and continue reading.

“I know you do,” she continues with a playful tone.  “This house is big, but you and Walker.” She shakes her head, her smile growing.  “You two like two wild rabbits in spring.  Don’t you think I don’t hear things? This old place echoes. And, my sweet girl,” she raises her eyebrows, “you can make a bit of noise.”

“Oh my God.”  This is not the sort of conversation I’ve ever wanted to have with my grandmother.  “I’m leaving.”

“Don’t be ashamed, Mia,” she calls after me as I’m already moving toward the door.  “I’m glad you’re happy. For a girl that is scared to leave the house, the Lord delivered you a man right here.  I’m hoping for the same arrangement.”

“Goodbye, Nana.” 

I’m out the door, but her satisfied laughter muffled by the heavy wood.

Walker is waiting for me in our room.  He’s set up a morning routine for us and as much as I balked at his insistence at first, I’ve come to count on the stability he’s bringing into my life.  It’s been the most beautiful, intense, frightening time I can remember, and I would live it repeatedly if I could.

By the time I’m at the door, I’m already tingling.  I hear the spray of the shower and the soft music that floats around the bedroom.  This morning it is some classic Spanish guitar music he’s chosen, along with the scent of eight dozen fire roses and fresh coffee. 

I had no idea what fire roses were until Walker brought me the first dozen the day after I’d gotten home.

They are red, with petals that are tipped with orange and yellow.  And he’s brought me an additional dozen each day since we’ve been home.

Inside the room, my breath stalls as I see Walker standing in front of me, naked with a full erection.  That’s to be expected, I’ve discovered.  It’s rare I see his penis in any other state, honestly, but when it’s fully engorged as it is now, it is a sight to behold.

“Strip,”  he orders, stepping toward me, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand.

Without hesitation, I reach down and pinch the hem of my nightgown between the fingers of both hands and pull it up and off in one smooth motion.  I know if I take longer than suits him, it will end up in shreds on the floor.  I’m wearing one of my favorites today so out of self-preservation, I comply in haste.

Don’t get me wrong, there is a certain appeal to having him tear my clothes off, but I’ve learned to calculate which clothes I truly wish to wear again when he’s in that sort of mood.

Walker nods toward the bathroom, where the jet from the shower is still hissing and popping, steam gently floating our way.  There’s no denying his urges, so I sashay that way, delighting in the knowledge that he’s watching my ass every step.

“You do like to tease,” he whispers from right behind me and a shiver runs up my back.

He reaches around me to open the wide glass shower door and I step into the steam and blissful heat.  His body is hard against mine in the next moment, guiding us both under the water as it rushes over my skin, tingling over my shoulders, my nipples, between my legs.  I feel his hardness against the crack of my behind and close my eyes at the image of us that runs through my mind.

This has become our morning ritual. Walker takes charge in many ways, yet I know I always have a voice, that when he listens to me he really hears what I’m saying, unlike anyone else ever before. 

“Now.” His mouth is next to my ear, his breath hotter than the water on my skin.  “Tell me anything you need to say today.  Any questions, desires, dreams...”

I sigh at his words. The same words that have met my ear each morning, just like this, and it gives me a sense of safety and comfort knowing every day starts with us.

With this.

“I dream we will always be like this.  I dream of a life.  I’ve never done that before you came to me.  It’s a life filled with choices and love.  Filled with you.  With this.” I reach around behind me, palm the weight of his balls, then slip my hand higher and grip the base of his already rock-hard erection.

“I dream of all of that too.  Your dreams are my dreams. And so much more.”

Behind me, his hands begin to work shampoo into my hair.  It smells of lilacs and eucalyptus, and its calming scent gathers in the steam, making me close my eyes and rock back into his chest as he turns me into the water to rinse the bubbles away.  He soaps my body and I do the same in return.

I run my hands up and down the hardness of his chest, over his abdominal muscles, around his back.  We wash and rinse each other until my fingers begin to prune, but I’m already used to this routine.  I know we are not done.

“Give me what’s mine,” Walker states as he brings a swift hand swooping down from my chest to cup my sex, slipping two fingers inside me without hesitation and my body accepts them without complaint.  “Such a wet, good girl.”

He takes my other hand in his and brings it around to guide me to stroke his steel shaft.  I love when he does this, showing me how to please him, taking control of me in every way.  I learn in these moments what he likes most and tuck the information away for later.

“Like this?”  I play along, listening to the low rumble that comes from his throat.  “Is this right?”

“That’s good.  Just like I’m showing you.  Just like I taught you.”  His hand tightens over mine, gripping him harder, and I follow his faster strokes as his fingers move inside me.  His palm spreads my outer lips as he rubs my clit with the base of his hand.

My head falls back onto his chest as he adds a third finger inside me, stretching me painfully. 

“Take it for me. Show me you love me.” 

I grunt out a trembling moan as the orgasm’s tension begins to build.  Falling silent, I relinquish any control, trusting Walker, knowing that he can read my body, read the signals in my whimpers and the way I sway against him.  He knows I’m on the edge.

“I do love you,” I mutter as the coil tightens and he guides my hand up and down his shaft, all the while slamming his fingers inside me until I’m gone.

“Good girl.”  I hear his voice in my ear as I convulse, white light taking me over.  I’m screaming into the shower as Walker bends down to growl and bite into my neck, sending another enormous wave of pleasure through me.  He leaves my hand in place on his rigid shaft as his moves to my breast, pinching and pulling my hard nipple, making the orgasm rise to another level of intensity until I’m only standing with his support.

As I pant and lose myself, Walker leans in, grips my wrists and plants my hands against the cooler marble of the shower wall.

“Spread your legs,” he orders, his fingertips now digging into my hips, pulling me back as I move my feet apart.  “That pussy is mine, now push it back here.”  A smack on my ass makes me yelp as I adjust myself for what I know is coming. 

I twist and arch my hips as I feel the head of his cock line up with my entrance.  He pushes inside me in one motion, taking my breath away as his hands move under my body, one on each breast, pulling and playing as he seats his cock deep inside before pulling half way out.

I’m gasping for air as I drop my chin and take what he’s giving me.  My body is at his mercy as he holds himself still, half inside and half outside my body.  My core clenches and tries to pull him deeper.

“You want more?  Then take what you need, Cricket.  Fuck yourself back on me.  Show me who you are.”

Something clicks inside of me and I’m suddenly crazed.  I rise up on my tiptoes and begin to move up and down, back and forth on his cock as he holds onto my tits and simply allows me to ride him from the wall.  My movements become furious, sounds of pain and pleasure filling the steam as I’m vaguely aware of him, his hands running down my belly, around my waist, up and down my back until they finally settle on my hips and grip tighter, slowing my orgasm, easing me down.

“Shh, baby, slow down.  It’s okay.”  He’s soothing me and I realize I’m crying. Not just a soft tear weeping from the corner of my eye, but sobs shaking my body as another orgasm builds in the wake of the first.  Walker slips one hand from my hip, bringing it around to press flat on my lower belly, once again slowing my movements.  “I’m right here.  I’m not going anywhere.  Ever again.”

His words speak directly to my heart.  I need him.  If he were to ever disappear again, I do not know if I could go on.

“Thank you,”  I weep as he takes over, stroking himself in and out of me, slowly now.  His cock massages that perfect spot inside me just right.  His tempo increases gently until we both come together, clutching each other and knowing there is no power in heaven or earth that will ever separate us again.

After our shower, Walker dries me off and picks out my clothes for the day, the way he always does.  Then he has me tell him all my plans, how I’m going to spend the time when he’s away, while he dresses and readies himself for the day ahead.

“I’ll start my online classes at 9 a.m.”  I continue telling him about my day as we finish getting ready. Walker’s encouraged me to pursue the idea of being an editor and even has some ideas on how to get my little business up and running as soon as I’m ready.

“Awesome.  I can’t wait to hear about it.  You’re going to be a star, baby. I’m so proud of you.”

As Walker turns at the bedroom door and meets my eyes, a blanket of gratitude covers me.  In a week’s time, I’ve gone from being as alone as I’ve ever been to as loved as I’ve ever hoped to be.  And I have no intention of going back.

When he winks, my stomach does a little flip.  I bring my hand to my lips, feeling the need to cover the half smile and stifle the slight tremor of my bottom lip as a realization hits me.  I’ve fallen for him in all the ways fairy tales could explain.  Not just in a fleeting way, but wholly and completely.  I’m his.

“I love you,” he says, uncannily echoing my thoughts.  “You know that, right?”  The timbre of his voice deepens, and he lowers his chin as his eyes drill into mine.

I nod, unable to say it back to him as my throat tightens and I swallow hard.

I need him.  And not in a way I can undo.  I feel him down in my bones. 

“I’ll be done as soon as I can today.  I hate being away from you.  I’m going to move my office just as soon as I can, but I don’t want the kind of assholes I’m currently having to associate with here at Tensfield.  When I get going, I won’t need these low life investors, and we can be here together all the time, but for now...”

“It’s fine.  I’ve finally got something to focus on for just me.  I want to be the perfect student.  Only straight A’s will be acceptable.”  I mean it, too. 

Walker and I decided I would take online classes for now, which suits me fine with my current phobias.  I’m also not quite ready to leave Nana and Tensfield just yet.  They both need me.  I just got home, and I’m honestly still finding my feet after so many years behind the walls in Mexico.  So you can understand that the world outside is unfamiliar to me, and as much as part of me would really like to get out and see everything, the larger part feels safer tucked away here. 

“Good girl.”

“Hey, play me something before you go.”

He smiles and steps to the drawer on the nightstand and starts to hum into the harmonica.  I don’t know the name of the tune, but it’s cheerful, bluesy and he closes his eyes as he works the small instrument between his lips until he finishes on a long, low note.

“There you go baby.”  He smiles and puts the harmonica back moving toward the door.

Walker said to give it time for me to get comfortable going out. We will explore the world together and when I’m ready, I can go to the community college that’s only a few miles away if I’d like.  Although, he said he’d be happier if I was safe here at home as well, and if I do go anywhere else Walker said he may just register for every class that I do, just so he can be with me the entire time.  His protective streak occasionally borders on stalker obsession, but as much as I fuss at him, it does make me feel safe. Secure.  And that’s a feeling I do not ever wish to give up.

“Have a good day, Cricket.  The first day of class, be good or the principal will paddle that sweet ass of yours when he gets home.”  He smirks.  “He may just do that no matter what though.”

With that, he turns on his heel and leaves me flushed and grateful for a life I’d never imagined.