Changing Seasons

Forty-Eight

****

Krist made a healthy dinner, Costco salmon with quinoa and steamed vegetables. One of his and Rocco's favorite meals. After he'd washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen, the three of them got to work on their Christmas tree. Atira had turned on a Christmas Jazz YouTube channel.

Seeing her and Rocco interact as they decorated the tree lifted his spirits like their family was complete. Krist was happy with Rocco on their own but having a positive female figure in the picture felt right. Krist didn't want to get his hopes but he prayed Atira and he would work out for good.

Once the tree was decked out, they took family photos in front of it, like an actual family unit. Atira took a few corny pictures of her and Krist, Rocco yelling, "Ew!" when he saw them kiss. Atira and Krist attacked him with tickles, their laughter filling the room.

Krist put Rocco in the bath, filling it with bubbles, toys, and tub-friendly crayons. He trimmed his chinstrap beard up nice and tight. He hadn't shaved since Friday and was feeling gross as fuck. One thing he couldn't stand was looking unkempt, even if people, mainly Jeordie, told him he looked like a douchebag.

He checked his Facebook messenger, his heart dropping when he read the name of the most recent message. Lainey. Though he blocked her, it appeared she'd created a new profile.

Anxiety racing, his hands trembled as he opened her message.

"Hey, Krist. I know you blocked me but I heard about what happened to you and hope you're okay. You don't have to respond, I just wanted to let you know I care about you and hope you recover from this. Looks like you found someone new from your profile pic, hope she's good to you and your kid. You look like you're doing good and are staying clean. I miss you."

Krist understood that he'd done nothing wrong, but he still felt immense guilt that Lainey had reached out. He debated between replying that he was fine and allowing her to read it before blocking her or just blocking her altogether.

He opted to block her outright, rationalizing that replying would give her false hope. It would also be disrespectful to Atira. After all, he'd be livid if she was talking to her ex.

****

With Rocco tucked in and asleep, Krist and Atira took a shower together, taking turns lathering one another. Watching the suds drip from her frame was getting to him. Taking her would have been worth the discomfort in his belly later. She had other plans, dropping to her knees and devouring him. Fuck. His legs felt weak as she worked him with her mouth and hands. Krist warned her he was close to busting, expecting to pull back. To his surprise, she worked feverishly until he groaned in ecstasy, her mouth draining him dry.

"Goddamn," he exhaled, wrapping her in her arms and kissing her.

Atira giggled, "You liked that?"

"Fuck yes, I liked that. Oh my god," he gushed. "I owe you big time."

"I'm going to hold you to that," she teased, reaching for a towel.

Krist stepped out of the shower, drying himself as he watched Atira towel herself off, the hot steam rising from her body. Man, she was bad as fuck. Krist had been with a lot of women, more than he'd ever admit, but this one made him feel like the luckiest man alive. She didn't have the biggest ass or tits but her curves were something.

"Quit staring at me, perv," Atira laughed, snapping him with her towel.

"What can I say, I like what I see," he grinned, and pulled her back into his arms, kissing her hungrily. It was her turn to be weak in the legs.