I’m thinking this whole night was bad planning on my part.
I depress the handle and enter the women’s restroom.
Similar to the men’s, the room is small. Just two stalls and two sinks.
My cousin’s wife is at one of the sinks, washing her hands, and when she spots me, she hurries to turn off the water.
I don’t know her well. And she must be a little scared of me because she doesn’t so much as touch her hand to a towel to dry off before scurrying past me and out the door.
The farthest stall is closed, the other unoccupied.
And my wife’s soft cries fill the room.
Because I don’t want to traumatize her more, I bend down and look under the door. But her feet aren’t in front of the toilet. They’re facing the wall.
I pull the knife out of my pocket, flick it open, and use the blade to unlock the stall door.
Slipping the knife back in my pocket, I push the door open.
The hinges squeak, and Val spins around.
Her hands are over her mouth, and tears are streaming down her face, but it’s her hunched shoulders that break my heart.
I step into the stall and close the door behind me. “Angel—”
But before I can get out more, she closes the distance between us and throws her arms around my neck.
I don’t question it. I just wrap my arms around her in return. And when she tightens her grip, I tighten mine, hoisting her into the air.
I hate seeing her cry. Hate knowing I’ve caused it. But a part of me relishes in her coming to me. In her reaching for me.
I hold her tighter.
She’s so warm. So soft.
So mine.
And then she rocks my world completely.
“Thank you,” she says against my neck. “Thank you, Dominic.”
Did she really just thank me?
I boost her higher, and she wraps her legs around my waist, her loose skirt bunching at her hips.
“What are you thanking me for, Valentine?” I rub my thumb in a circle on her spine.
I feel her sniff. “This is my first birthday party. And… And you even have balloons.”
I slide my hands down to grip her by the ass so I can lean back a little to hear her better. “Your first surprise party, you mean?”
She sniffles again, then shakes her head.
My brows furrow in confusion. “You’ve never had a birthday party?”
“No,” she whispers.
“How is that possible?”
Val finally meets my eyes. “No one ever wanted to give me one.” She lifts her shoulders.
“What about your family?”
Val presses her lips together as she shakes her head again.
I swallow against the uncomfortable feeling closing around my throat. “Why?”
“Because no one ever cared, Dominic.” She heaves out a breath. “I never had anyone.” More tears drip down her cheeks. “And even if you did this for—”
“I did this for you, Valentine.” I can’t let her finish that sentence. Can’t fucking bear to hear her say it. “I did this for you. Because I do care.”
Her lungs hitch.
She’s ripping my fucking heart out.
Her eyes search mine, looking for something, and I wish I knew what it was so I could make sure to give it to her.
“I do care, Angel.” I try to make her believe me.
Another tear rolls down her cheek before she leans closer. “Show me.”
Val slams her mouth against mine.
It’s desperate.
Searching.
And I think I need this as much as she does.
I raise a hand to cup the back of her head before I shove her against the wall.
Val’s tongue laps against my lips, and I open for her, angling my head and meeting her lash for lash.
“Hurry,” she whines into my mouth.
“I’ll show you just how much I fucking need you. Anytime you want.” I press my hips into her, pinning her against the wall so I can yank her skirt out of the way. “You just need to ask.”
Val moans and her hips tilt, searching for that friction.
“I’ve been away from this sweet pussy for too long.” I boost her higher, above my belt, so I can undo my pants.
“Please, Dominic.”
“Are you ready for me?” I have no right to ask her that. I’ve hardly even fucking touched her. But I know her body and how she’s always fucking primed. “Is that juicy slit dripping for me?”
She doesn’t answer my question, just drags her nails up the back of my neck and over my head.
My eyes roll back. “Do that again.”
She does, and I have to focus to free my dick from my pants.