Free Put A Ring On It by Allison Hobbs

hoisted him upon his broad shoulders.
    High in the air and headed for his bedroom, Yuri waved his arms in the air and yelled, “Look at me, Mommy! I can touch the ceiling!”
    Vangie couldn’t help being impressed with the way Shawn and Yuri were bonding. But she was also a little disturbed by the sexual tension between her and Shawn.
    Over the past five years, their love had been replaced with animosity. But there was no denying that they shared a sexual attraction. Now that she was no longer pissed with him, she was able to enjoy Shawn’s appearance. He was as fine as ever with his full, luscious lips and yummy, coffee-colored skin.
    She recalled how they used to be in bed. Back when they were together, Shawn had been an imaginative lover. Flashes of memories of hot sex beneath satin sheets sent a burning rush of heat between her legs.
    I wonder if Shawn is seeing anyone. It doesn’t matter; I just want some no-strings attached, good sex. But ex-lovers trying to raise a child together shouldn’t dabble in uncommitted sex. All I really need is for Shawn to make regular child support payments and be a good father to our son.
    “Yuri’s tucked in and sound asleep,” Shawn said when he returned to the kitchen.
    “That was fast. What’s your trick?”
    “No tricks. I deal with Yuri, man to man. I don’t baby him like you do. When I say that it’s bedtime, I mean business.”
    Vangie raised a brow. “Are you criticizing my parenting skills?”
    “Not at all. I take full responsibility for not being in Yuri’s life like I should have. A child needs the right balance. He needs a mother and a father. I can’t change the past, but I’m in my son’s life now, and I’m going to do the best that I can to teach him to become a good man.”
    Deep in thought over the regrettable past, Vangie nodded absently. Why hadn’t she and Shawn tried harder to work out their differences…for Yuri’s sake? They’d created a life, yet they’d been too stubborn and too selfish to consider what was in Yuri’s best interest.
    She studied Shawn’s handsome profile, and then sneakily scanned his muscular physique. He looked so damn tempting. The feelings that swirled inside of her were more of a carnal nature than a concerned co-parent. Embarrassed, she pulled her eyes away.
    Shawn pulled his leather jacked off the back of the kitchen chair. “I’m about to be out. You good?”
    Panic seized Vangie as she realized that she didn’t want to alone. “No, I’m not alright.”
    “What’s wrong; whatchu need?”
    She closed her eyes briefly, and then against her better judgment, she softly admitted, “I need you.”

CHAPTER 15
    V angie didn’t have to twist Shawn’s arm to get him inside her bedroom. Practically salivating, Vangie watched as Shawn shed his shirt. Every beautiful bulge and gorgeous ripple that covered his sculpted frame enticed her. God, he was making her hot. She craved an orgasm. Couldn’t remember that last time she’d had one that hadn’t been self-induced.
    Her admiring eyes cruised over Shawn’s six-pack. “You’re at the barbershop all those hours; how do you find time to hit the gym?”
    “I work out as soon as I get out of bed. No gym. No fancy equipment. I do push-ups…crunches. I get it in on my bedroom floor.” As he bent to pull off his pants, his muscles, irresistibly visible, flexed and danced beneath his skin.
    Her eyes slid over his toned body. She felt a pang in her stomach, imagining her and Shawn getting in a sensual workout on her bedroom floor. Mmm, she murmured inwardly as she pictured his throbbing erection, parting and penetrating her dripping sex.
    The scant few sex partners she’d had since she and Shawn had parted ways possessed neither the finesse nor stamina to make her cum. Shawn had many bad traits, but lovemaking was not one of them. He was a patient and attentive lover who could deliver a hip-winding slow stroke that caused her body to rock and quiver so hard, she