Page 78 of Unmasking Her Shadow

“I’m so happy you two found each other. The love you two share makes my mama heart so full.”

She kisses both our cheeks and then tells us to sit down while she does the dishes and vacuums the floor. There’s no point in arguing with her. Dad follows behind to be her cleaning buddy, as usual. Never telling my mom no and always helping her with everything. I finish plating Sam her slice of pie and grab one for myself, and we enjoy our sweet treat while being cared for. Moments like this allow me to see children in our future. I love this woman so fucking much, I could only imagine how much I would love a miniature version.

I whisper, “I love you,” and she smiles, a smudge of pie filling on her bottom lip.

“I love you more,” she replies quietly.

I shake my head. “Impossible.”

45

Sam

It’s been two weeks since the attack. And today is Kioni’s first day back to work since. I thought I was going to be okay. The nightmares haven’t pulled me from sleep for several nights. So tell me why I’m going to each door and window checking to make sure they are all locked…for the second time this morning? Tyler is dead, and it’s unlikely one would have not one but two people wanting to kill them in their lifetime. Right? I wonder what the odds are that this would ever happen again? That’s something I need to research. Maybe reading how low the statistics are will trick my brain into eliminating the fear now seeded deep within me.

“Baby girl, do I need to come back home?” Kioni’s voice is soft coming out of the camera speakers. I’m not sure which one it’s coming from. I stop my searching when she says, “Turn around. Right there. Now I can see your beautiful face.”

“I was just checking the locks,” I say, dismissing my worry.

“For the second time.”

Damn it. She saw that.

“I’ll be fine, babe.”

One day at a time. Tomorrow I may only check the locks once. Tomorrow, I may be able to go outside to walk Nyx without giving myself whiplash looking behind me every second. Ki has been with me everywhere we’ve gone since. I didn’t feel the need to be on guard because she was. My security blanket is gone now, but I have to work through creating my own again.

“Nyx is there,” she reminds me, and I reach my hand out without looking first. My fingers meet soft fur, and calmness washes over me. She’s here. My fur warrior.

“I love you,” I tell her, blowing a kiss to the camera.

“I love you to the moon, little wolf.”

“Is Ryker watching?”

“No, he’s driving.”

I lift my shirt, flashing her.

“I’m so fucking punishing you when I get home. Get hydrated.”

My shirt drops, but my smile doesn’t. I make a show of walking to the kitchen to get a glass of water and chug the entire thing.

“This is going to be the longest workday of my life,” she groans.

I blow her another kiss before she leaves camera land, knowing she will check in again soon. The only thoughts I have now are of her. She always makes everything better.

My hands are still tender, but I can use them more efficiently now. Lifting, grabbing, and pulling things are still painful, though. The doctor said the pain could linger for a long ass time. If Tyler ruined my ability to have magical fingers, I’ll dig him up and chop him into tiny pieces. I spread out my yoga mat in the living room and go through as many poses as I can that don’t cause me to put too my weight on my palms. Despite Kioni’s protests, I’m going to return to the studio this week for a couple of days. I’m confident I can perform the beginner classes. The advanced classes wouldn’t be hard either, since most are experienced enough that I can say the name of the pose and they can do it. And I have a few clients that would be happy to come to the front with me to demonstrate what I cannot. Getting back into a routine will hopefully do my mind wonders.

I’m in the middle of watering all the plants outside that I brought over from my house when Ryker pulls into the driveway. Kioni jumps out before it’s fully stopped. Nyx’s ears perk up when she jogs towards me and lifts me into her arms. Ki pats the top of her head and carries me inside, leaving her outside with Ryker.

“Hello to you too,” I chuckle, peppering her with kisses. Kioni is breathtaking, and even more so when she’s in uniform.

“Hello, love. You’re going to ride my face so I can finish the rest of my day in peace with your taste lingering on my tongue.”

I whimper, the words going straight to my pussy. She places me on my feet and pushes my skirt and panties down, gripping my ass and threading her fingers through my hair. Her kiss is ravenous, desperate. When she sits down on the bed, I motion for her to scoot backwards. I crawl up her body and hover over her face, her breath skating across my sensitive flesh, making me weep already. Her hands slide up my thighs and ass, then up my stomach to push my top up over my breasts. She fills her hands with both and leans up, sucking my clit into her mouth. I sink onto her and she devours me.

There’s a reason I wanted her to lie here. I reach over, snatching the large wand from the drawer and fiddle with her belt until I have her pants undone. It’s a little difficult doing it behind your back, but I’ve had some practice now. She spears me with her tongue the same time I turn on the wand and slip it under her waistband.