Page 60 of Til Death
“It’s getting dark out, do you want my security to walk you to your car?” Simone called out after me.
“I’m good!” I called out over my shoulder.
Giving one final wave, I pushed out of the double doors, stepping into the crisp, spring air. There was a slight chill but it felt good against my skin after being cooped up in the warehouse all day.
I was steps away from my G Wagon when my phone vibrated in my hand. Surprisingly, Yosiah had been responding to my texts all day and I thought it was him texting my back. The smile on my face was quickly wiped off seeing a text from an unknown number.
I stopped in the middle of the parking lot and read the preview on my lock screen. My stomach twisted upon realizing it wasn’t Yosiah, but my dad.
Unknown
I’ve given you a week to get the money. What’s taking so damn long?
Bitterness filled the back of my throat. I hadn’t heard from my dad since he’d stalked away from the coffee shop, and his first time reaching out wasn’t even to check on me and my well-being, but to continue to demand money I didn’t have.
Pushing out a deep breath, I didn’t even bother responding. Instead, I cleared the notification and continued toward my truck. Today was a good day. There had been so much darkness surrounding me that the opportunity I was offered felt like a rainbow shining after a bad thunderstorm. I had no desire to let it become cloudy again.
Thankfully there was barely any traffic, so it only took me a little under forty-five minutes to get home from downtown. My dad had texted me twice more in that short time when he realized I wasn’t responding. I didn’t bother to respond. Each time the number popped up on my screen, my stomach twisted and the knots returned, larger each time.
When I pulled around the circle driveway and saw Yosiah’s truck, my mouth split into a wide grin. I was excited to see him and tell him about my day and the offer Simone proposed.
Quickly gathering my bags, I hurried inside the house. The downstairs was dimly lit by the foyer light. It was quiet, making the house feel even bigger than it already was.
Kicking my heels off, I watched as Princess came prancing toward me. “Hi, girl.” I bent down, scratching between her ears. She barked and her tail wagged wildly. “Mommy got some greatnews today. Where’s your daddy so I can tell you both?” She barked again this time, pushing her snout into me. Snickering, I continued to give her attention before standing and heading for the steps. I set my bags on the tall table before continuing.
My insides were dancing as I climbed the steps. I couldn’t wait to see how Yosiah would respond to my job offer. It was embarrassing to admit, but the small amount of praise I’d received from him these past couple days I desperately wanted again. No one had ever told me they were proud of me before, so hearing it from the same man who saw me as nothing more than a selfish freeloader caused my insides to burst as if fireworks had been lit.
Yosiah’s door was cracked when I approached. Not bothering to knock I pushed it open, smiling widely and rushed in.
“Hubby! I have great news.” I halted seeing Yosiah inside and naked. He was in the middle of drying off, with his back toward me. He turned to face me with a look of curiosity on his face. My eyes traveled over his wide, defined shoulders and chest. One of my favorite things was how ripped he looked when he wore dress shirts, but nothing compared seeing him bare. His toned, peanut butter-colored arms bare of any imperfections. His body was firm and ripped from the number of hours he spent cycling. A few speckles of hair dusted the center of his chest and lower abs. Yosiah’s thighs were thick and strong. Between those two brick houses was his well-endowed length. It rested on his thigh like a log. His public hairs were groomed and lined up neatly.
My teeth sank into my bottom lip. I always appreciated seeing Yosiah’s naked frame. After five years, between my legs still tingled and throbbed with desire whenever I laid eyes on his well sculpted body. Last time we slept together was over a week ago in the shower and I barely took the time to admire him. The few times we’d slept together before that, he rarely got fully naked. So right now I was enjoying the treat in front of me.
“Did knocking suddenly become a hidden action?” Yosiah’s voice broke me out of my lustful trance. I missed having sex regularly and this moment made that clear.
Snatching my eyes up to his face, I cleared my throat and stepped further into the room. Yosiah raised a brow with amusement bouncing around his hooded orbs.
“Sorry, I just needed to tell you something and was too excited to wait!”
He dropped the towel in his hands on the floor and walked over to his dresser. I’d never paid attention to how cut his back was, but staring at it caused fire to stir in my belly.
Yosiah pulled a black pair of briefs out of his top drawer and put them on, then turned to face me again.
“What is it that you wanted to tell me?” His arms crossed and he leaned against his dresser.
“I wanted to tell you how today went,” I noted.
Out of nowhere, I felt as if Yosiah was looking through me as he peered into me with those light brown irises. First telling him about my workday, I shifted the conversation to the offer to work as Simone’s stylist. By the look on his face, it was clear he wasn’t expecting the news I’d just dropped.
“That’s great news, Xylina!” Both his eyes and smile were genuine, beaming with sincerity.
“I never thought I would ever get a job.” I rubbed my arms as if cold. “If I told myself just months prior I would be joining the work force, I’d burst out laughing. But truthfully, I enjoyed myself today and look forward to the next few days.”
“I’ve always said when you’re doing something you love and are passionate about, you’re never truly working.” Yosiah pushed off his dresser and started toward me.
Yosiah stopped in front of me, looking down at me for what seemed like the first time in our whole marriage with warmness.
“So are you proud of me then?” I batted my eyes as hopefulness filled my insides. My teeth sank deeper into my bottom lip.
