Free Broken Memphis by Bijou Hunter

can't get out of the tank."
    "I want fish. Pax wants them too."
    "We'll talk about fish in the morning," I whisper, stroking her hair.
    We rest quietly for nearly ten minutes before I sense Pax at the door. Lula sees his shadow and tenses.
    "It's just Pax," I say, holding her.
    After calling for Folgers, Pax shuts the bedroom door then walks to the bed. I notice him set down a gun on the side table before he slides into bed. Lula stares at him, unsure about him joining us.
    "Bad dreams suck," he says, pulling a blanket over himself.
    Lula nods and scoots over so she's in the middle of the bed. They watch each other for a few minutes before she closes her eyes and returns to sleep.
    Even in the dark room, I feel an anxious Pax focused on me now. I wiggle my feet out of the blankets and get comfortable. Before I close my eyes, I reach over and let my fingers slide from his cheek to his throat. He doesn't react, but I feel his tension easing away. My touch calms him much like his presence calms me. With the four of us in this room, I finally feel at home.

13
    Bebe
    Just a Kiss
    With Pax spending the day out with Ford, I take Lula to Darby's before heading to work. The college girls are still around, and they wave at me when I see them in the parking lot. Perri is working the front desk today, taking an extra shift for Christmas money. When we chat, I struggle not to gossip about Pax. He's all I can think about, and I'm disappointed when he doesn't get home until late.
    Lula is already asleep when he arrives at the house. Imagining Pax at Suede with another girl, I struggle with both rage and the ache of losing something I don't really possess.
    I know I should avoid him in case he's brought a woman home. My curiosity demands I face him instead. If he smells like a girl or has a hickey, I can't hide from the reality of our living situation. We're housemates, not married.
    Shuffling out of the bedroom, I smile at him casually. He's wearing his usual tee and jeans, but this black shirt seems especially tight. Or maybe I'm just especially horny.
    "Hey," I say then lean down to pet Folgers.
    "Where's the kid?"
    "Asleep," I say, walking into the kitchen. "She missed you today."
    "Really?" he asks, sounding shocked.
    "Yeah. Lula is pretty crazy about you."
    Pax is suddenly behind me. "How does Mommy feel about me?"
    I stop playing with the dog and smile at Pax. "She thinks you're D A M N weird but really F U C K I N G sexy and generous."
    "I am really generous. Let me show you."
    Pushing him away, I open the fridge and keep the door in between us. "No."
    "I had a long day. I need a hug."
    Even grinning, I dodge his hands and move around the kitchen island to remain out of reach.
    "No."
    "I can't keep jacking off," he whines, and I instantly roll my eyes. "I'm going to tear the damn thing off. You need to help me with this problem."
    "Not yet. Especially when you're acting like a horny N U T J O B."
    "When we fuck, can you promise you won't spell at me?" he asks, following me as I back away. "I want to know what the hell you're saying."
    Hands out, I shake my head. "We're not F U C K I N G tonight."
    "Then let me go down on you. I could feel how wet your pussy was the other night, and I've been dying to taste it."
    "Eww," I say while laughing. "Just back off."
    "I'm not doing anything."
    His innocent expression makes me laugh harder, but I keep dodging him. "Stop following me."
    "You want me."
    "I know."
    "I want you. What's the problem? We'll keep the noise down. I'll even ball gag you, if you're worried about waking up Lula."
    "Weird F U C K E R."
    "I'm going to make you come," he promises. "I won't make you beg though. I'll never make you work for it. I'll give you everything you need and make you feel good without you even asking. All you have to do is say yes. No, not even yes. Just let me catch you."
    I stop fleeing, and Pax wraps me in his arms. "No."
    "I want you."
    "Not yet," I say, turning my head when he tries to kiss