Page 71 of Lick

“I was making lunch.”

I wrap my hands behind his neck. Arching my back, I press my butt into him, gyrating my hips, making my point. I know he gets what I’m saying when a growl rolls from his throat.

“Where are the kids?” I ask as I continue to sway back and forth against him.

“Fuck,” he groans. “They’re in the back, playing with little man.”

Spinning me around, he lifts me up before I wrap my legs around his waist. His teeth bite into my neck. He sucks just enough, not wanting to leave a mark, continuing his assault down my neck and nipping at my skin through my shirt.

“I need you.” His voice is muffled by the cotton.

Tightening my legs around his waist, I squeeze. “You have me.”

He stops, bringing his eyes to mine. “I know I do. But I need to fuck you.” He gives me a wink.

“Then take me–”

Before I can finish, something bangs on the front window of the living room.

“I thought you said they were in the back.”

He drops me to my feet. “They were.”

Turning around, I walk towards the front door. “But did you tell them to stay in the back? You have to tell them even when it’s obvious to you because they’re kids and most of the time they don’t think two steps ahead.”

When I push through the front door, I see Roxy sitting on the grass playing with her dolls. She sees me and waves with a smile on her face. Ryder has a ball, tossing it down the grass, watching Goober chase after it. His black and white fur bounces as he bounds for the ball, grabbing it in his mouth then prancing back to Ryder.

“Everything okay?” Lick asks as he comes up behind me.

“Yeah, everything–” I watch as Ryder turns his body and throws the ball in the other direction, across the street.

It happens in slow motion.

Goober pumps his little legs, eager to catch the rubber ball that Ryder has launched into the air. I hear his nails rake across the sidewalk, trying to gain traction. They continue to scrape as he makes his way to the street. My breath stills in my lungs as I see a flash of red turn the corner, going far too fast for a residential street, speeding way too fast for my liking. My eyes flash to Goober running, then to the car, then back to Goober.

“No…” My voice is barely audible.

Without warning, tires squeal against the payment. Ryder screams as Lick rushes past me. A small yelp reaches my ears, then a rev of an engine as I watch the flash of red race away, leaving my sight.

My nose burns as tears rush to my eyes. “Oh, my God. No! Please. Please, please, please,” I pray.

“Jenni?” I feel Roxy’s hand pull on my own.

“Yeah, baby?” I respond but don’t take my eyes from the street.

“You okay?”

That’s a question I’m unable to answer. Please, God, please.

It seems like it’s forever as I wait, unable to breathe, cemented to my spot. Ryder stands first, head bowed, shoulders slumped. When he looks up, his eyes meet mine. Tears run down his face, and my heart drops. Lick stands, holding a limp Goober in his hands.

I’m not okay.

“I’m sorry!” Ryder yells from his spot in the road. “I’m sorry. Please–I’m sorry,” he repeats, shoulders shaking as he cries. He bows his head again, pulling at his hair before throwing his head back, wailing at the top of his lungs. My heart shatters in my chest.

Lick carries Goober to me. His little body bounces with each step that he takes. My little fur ball, my baby. When Lick reaches me, Goober’s so still, eyes open but vacant. A sob breaks from my chest. I reach out, I want to pet his fur, but I’m scared, so I pull my hand back. I can’t bring myself to touch him.

“I’m so fucking sorry, baby,” Lick whispers.