Page 90 of Silver Player

“I didn’t have sex with you, Roxanne. I made love to you.”

And before she can speak, I lift her chin and kiss her.

+ + +

I wake to the soft murmur of her voice outside the room.

“Are you sure?” She attempts to remain quiet, and without hearing an answer to her question, I assume she’s on the phone. I reach to the floor for my boxers and slip them on under the sheets. It’s still warm from the heat of us together, but her side is cooling. I don’t like the sensation. I don’t want the night to end.

“Okay, well, tell Elaina that’s very generous of her.” I pause at the doorway to my room, looking past the stairs to Roxanne wrapped in the quilt I gave her earlier. She’s sitting on my leather couch, feet tucked up in the blanket. The rightness of her sitting there fills me again as I watch her speak.

“Okay, baby. We’ll see you tomorrow. I mean, me. I’ll come get you in the morning.” Her eyes close, and a shaky hand comes to her forehead. I step forward, and her head twists in my direction. “Night, Sadie.”

She clicks off the phone and sets it on the coffee table. “I just wanted to check in with her.”

“What time is it?”

“It’s close to midnight.”

I nod, scratching at my chin. “I guess I fell asleep,” I sheepishly admit. After kissing her and begging her to promise she wouldn’t speak, I just held her as she held me. Arms wrapped around one another, she slid to her back, and I followed, my head resting in the crook of her arm. Her bare breasts are distracting but not as distracting as her fingers massaging through my hair. I closed my eyes and gave in to her touch.

“You did, but it’s okay. You must have been tired. Anyway, your mother asked Sadie to spend the night. I guess Lucy is staying there as well, and they are enjoying some girl time. Your dad’s at the pub.”

I huff. As much as my father has always been uncertain of my decision, he financially supports it by sitting on a stool most evenings.

“Sounds good. Is that okay with you?”

Roxie shrugs. “It’s Sadie’s decision.”

“You doing okay? A lot is happening kind of quick. I knew my mother would easily cave, welcoming Sadie into the fold. It might be one reason I prolonged introducing her. I didn’t want to have to share her with all of them.” I chuckle half-heartedly. Or you, I should add. I don’t want to share Roxie yet, but I hold my tongue.

“This is what Sadie needs. A family. A big one. It’s something she’s never had, nor did Theresa or I. Speaking of, I want to discuss therapy with you.”

“Therapy for me?” I raise a brow, my arms folding over my bare chest. I’m standing in only my boxer briefs. Her eyes fixate on my pecs before shaking her head.

“No, William. Not for you. For Sadie.”

“Why? What’s wrong?” My arms fall, and I step forward, lowering to the sturdy coffee table before Roxie. She gives me one of her scathing looks.

“A lot of things have happened rather quickly,” she repeats my words, eyes narrowed.

Oh, right. “Sure. I think my mother mentioned something about a grief counselor.” Momma has good intentions, only I didn’t want to push.

Roxie still gives me this look like I’m dense.

“You know, I find it cute how you hate me sometimes,” I tease, reaching for what I suspect is her knee, tucked up under the quilt.

“I don’t hate you,” she states, sounding a little unconvincing.

“Then what do you do me?”

She laughs hesitantly. “I thought I just did do you.”

I laugh, a deep bark as I slip to my knees on the hardwood before her. I push at the coffee table with my feet, forcing it to move as it’s on wheels. My hands slide under the blanket for her ankles, and my knuckles brush the back of her thighs.

“Speaking of doing…whatcha wearing under there?”

“Do you know how creepy that sounds?” She laughs, but excitement fills her voice.