AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Abel lets out a yawn right before his sleepy eyes close for good.
Hearing the quiet sounds of my family sleeping grants my brain a peace I’ve never known before.
There are no intruding thoughts.
No whispered pleas begging for violence.
No desperate wails demanding I listen to them.
Just blissful silence.
8
Eden
The sound of Abel giggling penetrates the thick fog of my dream.
Smiling, I tighten my arms to hug him.
But my arms only wrap tighter around myself.
Realizing I’m hugging empty air, I jolt awake.
My heart races with alarm.
Fearing I accidentally dropped him in my sleep, something I’ve been deathly afraid of since he was born, I bolt upright.
“Good morning,” Jude says cheerfully, grabbing my panicked attention.
Standing in the middle of my living room with Abel held safely in his arms, he grins at me.
Blinking slowly at him, part of me wonders if I’m still dreaming.
What is he still doing here?
And why is he half-naked?
Wearing only his dark slacks from last night, Jude is barefoot and completely bare-chested. Every defined muscle he possesses is on full display for my tired eyes.
When he had me pressed up against the brick outside the club, I felt the steel strength in his frame.
But I had no idea he was packing so much muscle under his suit.
My jaw drops as I stare at him. Not only is his body lean and sculpted, reminding me of an ancient Greek statue, he’s also covered in tattoos. Tattoos that cover his arms, shoulders, and entire chest.
Tattoos that Abel is currently exploring with his chubby little hands.
I don’t believe I’ve ever been jealous of my own child before and it’s strange to feel the pang of wishing our places were switched.
Coming to my senses, I snap my jaw shut and shake my head.
“What are you still doing here?” I ask, standing from the couch.
Jude bounces Abel a little and looks down at him with affection. “Bonding with my son.”
My entire brain screeches to a halt.
That’s not the first time he’s called Abel that…
