“About that…” she began, then hesitated, her brow crinkled.
“About what?”
“Um… the condom.”
Not sure where she was going with this, he brushed the sweat-damp hair from her face and glided his fingers along her cheek, giving her a chance to pull her thoughts together.
Finally, she held his gaze, and with her usual honesty said, “I know we haven’t discussed this, but please, understand… after finding out about my husband’s affair, I feel it needs to be said. I was faithful to him and take that commitment seriously. As long as you and I are in a relationship, there will be no one else.”
His thumb continued to sweep gently over her cheek, and he nodded. “I know it must be hard for you to trust after what you went through. And I know that any vow I make to you will lose some of its meaning because of what he did. But I make the same promise to you that you just made to me, Violet. As long as we’re in a relationship, there will be no one else. I will always be a strong link in the chain that is us and will spend every day proving that to you.”
She held his gaze for a long moment, then her lips slowly curved. Her hand lifted and gently soothed over his face. “I believe you.”
“Can I ask what you meant when you brought up the condom?”
Licking her lips, a light blush crossed her cheeks. “I know it’s the safe thing to do. I’m on birth control, but I realize that women can always say that and a man doesn’t know for sure, so a condom is more of a guarantee for him. But, of course, a condom is also a security against STDs. I haven’t been with a man since my husband died four years ago. But I did get tested after I found out he’d been unfaithful, and thank God, I’m clean.”
“We were tested all the time in the military, and I’m clean as well. Plus, I haven’t been with a woman before you in a long time. But I’ve got no problem getting tested again.” Her smile warmed his heart, and he kissed her lightly. “What does all of this lead to?”
“I just thought that if we’re clear on our understanding and both clean, then we could forgo the condoms. As long as you trust that I’m on birth control.”
“Babe, I completely trust you, but let me just say that if something happened and you got pregnant, I’d be over the fuckin’ moon.” Her eyes shot open, and he chuckled. “Seriously, Violet. I don’t plan on going anywhere. I’m in this for the long haul. You, Lily, Charlie, and anyone else who comes along. I know we’re still early days, but that doesn’t make what we feel any less real.”
Moisture gathered in her eyes, and he swept his thumbs underneath her lashes.
“Could you be any more perfect?” she asked.
“I’m not perfect, sweetheart. But I do think we are perfect together.”
Pulling each other closer, he rolled to his back with her plastered on top. She looked down and grinned. “Are you game for another round since we have the house to ourselves?”
His smile matched hers as he jutted his hips upward, his cock already responding to the feel of her body and her words. “Hell, yeah, babe. Bring it on.”
She bent forward and kissed him, doing exactly that.
20
Violet walked through the upstairs, gathering clothes from the laundry baskets to take downstairs. The sun flowed through the windows and she felt a lightness in her soul that she hadn’t felt in a long time.
In the past week, she had taken Daniel Anderson up on his offer and spent a morning at Anderson Contracting, spending the time obtaining a bird’s-eye view on what the company needed and then interviewing for the position of Office Manager/Bookkeeper. The building was large considering most of the space was a warehouse that housed their trucks, tools, and a multitude of building supplies. The office in the front was much smaller, fairly utilitarian and yet comfortable.
During the interview, she had the opportunity to get to know Daniel and Dave a little better. Daniel had been married to his high school sweetheart for over fifteen years and they had three children. He’d been at the helm of the veteran-owned and run business since he got out of the Navy and his father was ready to turn it over. Dave had been divorced for several years, and while he didn’t work daily for the construction company, he kept active in the family business.
She had wondered if Ben would accompany her to the office, but he’d insisted that this was her interview. She loved that he was supportive, would give his opinion if asked, but ultimately left the decision up to her. In truth, the decision was not a difficult one to make. She would be able to organize and run the office the way she saw fit. Working for the Anderson brothers would be far superior to spending more years dodging Fred.
But the most important thing was the sense of family. Daniel’s wife worked two mornings a week and his mother still popped in occasionally when she was bored at home. She’d met both women and they were thrilled that Violet would consider the position since neither of them wanted to work full-time and were tired of the inefficient, part-time receptionists that had rotated through the office. When Daniel presented her with the salary, benefits including insurance, vacation days, and the ease of knowing if her children became sick she could get to them, it made her decision easy.
She had turned in her two-week notice to Fred, who had not taken her rejection very well. He’d insisted that she could clean out her desk and leave by the end of the week, which had not been a hardship. Yesterday, she’d packed a small box of personal items, hugged her other coworkers goodbye, and almost skipped to her car with a huge smile on her face. When she’d called Daniel, he was thrilled, and she would start with them on Monday.
Now, it was Saturday morning, the kids were in the backyard playing with Colleen, and Tara was coming over for lunch. Loading the washing machine, she peered out into the yard, watching as the three children ran with Bounder in Anna’s yard. Ben and Anna had insisted the kids could play in their yard since none of the mysterious sinkholes had appeared on their side of the fence.
A knock on the front door caused her to glance at the clock, surprised the morning had passed so quickly. She welcomed Tara in and ushered her to the kitchen where she was ready to prepare sandwiches. “The kids are still out back. Well, technically in Ben’s backyard with his dog.”
Tara poured chips into a bowl, sneaking a few for herself. “Oh, Colleen wants a dog. Carter and she are going to go look for one soon. That’s their summer project. Get a dog… train a dog… then I’m sure I’ll end up feeding and walking their dog.”
Violet laughed and nodded. “I have to admit that it’s great for Ben to have the dog. My kids can enjoy him, but I don’t have to take care of him.”
“At least not now…”
Turning to stare at her friend, she inclined her head. “Okay, just what does that mean?”
Tara pushed the chips away, mumbling, “I don’t need more calories,” then dusted her hands off before smiling at Violet. “Well, I get the feeling that Ben is important to you. That doesn’t mean that you and he will continue a relationship, but if you do, then that dog out there would become yours.”
She held her friend’s gaze as her lips curved upward, then glanced down, almost in embarrassment at how wide her smile was.