Page 64 of Yearn

A lustful shudder ran through me, hot and sharp. I knew exactly what the rest of that sentence would entail and it wasn’t about boundaries or safe conversations. It was about him licking me up and down, about dirty things whispered against my skin, about the ache between my thighs begging to be fed until I couldn’t deny him anymore.

Dominic headed away, then paused, and frowned at something near the vase of roses.

I followed his gaze.

A small white card leaned against a box of chocolate chip cookies wrapped in cellophane and tied with a pale pink ribbon.

I hadn’t noticed it before.

“I meant to tell you that a mystery person left that box and card in front of the door this morning.” Dominic picked up the card and read the message aloud, “I’m praying for you.”

“What?” I took it from him and turned it over, expecting a signature, a return address, something.

Nothing.

Just those four words in tidy cursive.

My lips curved. “Mrs. Patterson.”

“Most likely.” He laughed softly.

“I’m sure it is.” I set the card back beside the cookies that I was going to definitely throw away. “She probably put this in front of the door right before sunrise.”

Dominic went back to herding the kids out the door, yet I couldn’t help staring at the words again.I’m praying for you.

Was it her kindness or shade?

Was she praying because Scott was finally out of the house—and the whole block knew it?

Or was it because she’d seen too much last night, caught a glimpse of me and Dominic through a curtain, and decided we needed divine intervention?

The mystery sat there on the counter, quiet and smug.

The cookies looked perfect, golden-edged and soft, but my stomach twisted at the thought of tasting one.

I won’t be the next victim.

“Have a good day at work, Teyonah.” Dominic headed out. “Let’s go, you two. Don’t want to be late.”

They gave me quick kisses on my cheeks.

“Coming!” Oliver shouted.

“Bye, Mommy!” J jogged past me and began teasing their brother about something.

Dominic walked them out. “You got your sketchbook, J?”

J patted their bag. “Yep.”

“Oliver,” Dominic grabbed his hand. “This is your big day. Are you ready to tell Ms. Patel the continents?”

“Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Astraya,” Oliver rattled.

“Australia,” J corrected.

“No. I do believe it is Astraya.” Oliver shook his head. “Home of kangaroodlers.”

“Kangaroos,” J snorted.