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Chapter 21
Shane
With my coffee mug in hand, I grab Jaime's backpack from the table and hand it to him as he finishes his breakfast. He takes it eagerly, sliding his arms into the straps, his face bright with morning excitement.
"Ready for school, buddy?" I ask, ruffling his hair.
"Super ready!" Jaime replies, his voice full of energy.
"Great," I say, smiling as I walk him to the front door. Mr. Jacob, one of my most trusted drivers, is waiting by the car in the driveway.
"Good morning, Mr. Matthews," Jacob says with a nod as we approach.
"Morning, Jacob," I reply, holding the door open for Jaime. He climbs into the back seat, his small feet barely touching the floor of the car.
"Have a good day at school, bud," I tell Jaime as he settles in.
"I will, Uncle Shane!" he says, his excitement palpable.
"And drive safe," I add to Jacob, who gives me a reassuring smile before closing the door behind Jaime.
As I turn to head back into the house, I hear Jaime's voice calling out, "Uncle Shane!" I turn around to see him leaning out of the car window.
"Yeah, buddy?"
"Don't forget about my field trip on Thursday! I need the things on the list the teacher gave me."
I pause, realizing this is the first I've heard of a field trip.
"Just ask Nicole," Jaime adds, sensing my confusion.
Nicole. Of course. She always has things under control. I smile at Jaime, giving him a thumbs up before Jacob pulls away from the curb. As soon as they're gone, my thoughts turn back toNicole. I haven't seen much of her lately, and when I have, she's seemed distant—like she's carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. I head upstairs to her room to ask about Jaime's field trip, and maybe, just maybe, get a glimpse into what's been troubling her.
As I reach her room, I hesitate before knocking. I know she might still be asleep, and I don't want to disturb her, but the thought of hearing her voice, even for a moment, pulls me forward. I knock gently.
"Come in," she says, her voice soft but clear.
I open the door to find Nicole standing near her bathroom, wearing just a bathrobe. The sight of her catches me off guard. She's looking at herself in the mirror, adjusting the robe as if contemplating something deeper than her appearance.
"Hey, sorry to bother you," I start, trying to keep my voice light. "Jaime mentioned something about a field trip this week…"
She turns to face me, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, I've already taken care of it. Everything on the list is packed in a camping backpack I bought for him. It's in the closet downstairs."
"Ah, great," I say, relieved. "Where are they going camping? I don't remember hearing about it…"
"Shane," she interrupts gently, her eyes locking onto mine. "Why don't we talk about that later?"
There's something in her gaze that holds me captive, something that feels both familiar and entirely new. She reaches for the belt on her robe, untying it slowly, letting it hang open just enough to reveal a narrow strip of her naked body. I stop mid-sentence, my breath catching in my throat as I watch her.
She pulls the robe down around her shoulders, holding it there for a moment before letting it slide off completely, pooling at her feet. The air between us crackles with tension as she walks toward me, her movements slow and deliberate, pushing me back onto the bed.
Laid back on the bed, I watch as she climbs on top of me, her bare legs straddling my hips. The warmth of her body seeps into me, her skin soft and moist from her recent shower. Her breath carries the fresh scent of mint as she presses her lips to mine, her breasts brushing against my chest. The familiar sweet and citrus smell of her perfume, laced with a hint of something spicy, both calms and arouses me.
She begins to undo my pants, her hands moving with a mix of urgency and finesse. "Take off your shirt," she says bluntly as she unlatches my belt. There's a command in her voice that I haven't heard before, one that stirs something deep within me. I quickly unbutton my silk blue designer shirt, our eyes never leaving each other's gaze.
I briefly feel the cool air of the room against my skin as my pants come off, but Nicole is on me in an instant. She slides down on top of me, her wetness enveloping me as her eyes fill with anticipation. I run my hands up her thighs, grasping her buttocks as she begins to move, shifting back and forth, her bodyfitting perfectly with mine. Her eyes close, her head tilting back as she begins to moan, her hands roaming her neck and breasts.
"Shane," she murmurs, her voice thick with desire, her eyes shut as if lost in a trance. Her fully erect nipples call to me, and I can't resist. I pull her down and lightly caress them with my lips and tongue. She pushes me back roughly, then leans over me, her hips still grinding, sliding me in and out of her slowly. She looks me in the eyes again and kisses me, her tongue caressing mine as she bites my lip just hard enough to inflict a bit of pain, sending a thrill through my entire body.