32 - Fear of Hiding

Michael

I sat on the front porch, lost in thought. It had been four days since Victoria said she still loved me, and we hadn't spoken since. The second the words left her lips, my heart was elated. However, I felt hurt that she was upset over the fact. She wouldn't stop crying or calling herself an idiot. Was loving me such a bad thing?

I took a deep breath, wondering what else I could do to make Victoria understand I wanted to be a better man. I worked to be the man she deserved and the father Antonio needed.

"Michael," I heard Victoria say from behind me.

I turned around and saw Victoria peeking out the door; she still wasn't allowed outside; I was glad she still obeyed that rule.

"Yeah?"

"Can we talk? Antonio's taking his nap."

I knew the topic was important if Victoria waited until Antonio was napping to talk to me. I stood up and walked inside; Victoria gently took my hand and guided me upstairs. We walked into my room, and I closed the door behind me. I sat next to Victoria on the couch.

"I'm sorry."

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

"For what?"

Victoria looked down as she said, "Being difficult and not putting effort into our relationship. You took a big step, humbled yourself, and got help, which I've always wanted you to do, and I've been treating you like shit. It's not fair."

Although I was grateful this conversation was taking place, I couldn't help but feel skeptical.

"Where is this coming from?" I asked.

Victoria looked me in the eyes and took my hands in hers.

"I love you. There's no denying that. I've been so focused on hating you all these years, and it hasn't done either of us any good. When we first started dating, we were both so happy. It was the best time of my life. I'd like to be like that again."

My heart fluttered with Victoria's words and the smile she gave me. I couldn't be happier. The love of my life was willing to work things out. I smiled as I wrapped my arms around her tightly, and Victoria immediately hugged me back.

"I love you," I softly said.

"I love you too," Victoria whispered.

I didn't want to let go of Victoria, but I slightly pulled away and looked into her beautiful eyes.

"I just have one question," Victoria said.

"What is it, my love?"

"Can we please take things slow? I'm not ready to be intimate yet."

"Of course." I gently stroked Victoria's cheek with the back of my hand.

"Can I kiss you?"

Victoria nodded and scooted closer to me so our legs were touching. I gently cupped her face with one hand and leaned in to kiss her. As soon as my lips touched Victoria's, I was in bliss. Our lips moved together in sync. This was what I missed, what I craved all these years.

After a while, I tried to escalate our kiss by putting my hands on Victoria's waist and gently licking her bottom lip. Victoria opened her mouth for me, and I slowly pushed my tongue in, doing my best to not be too aggressive. I could feel Victoria stiffen, so I moved my right hand to her lower back and gently rubbed small circles. Victoria relaxed and began to move her tongue with mine. My heart was pounding as I felt Victoria's arms wrap around my neck and her breasts rub against my chest.

Having to restrain myself was killing me. I wanted to dominate Victoria. I longed to thrust my cock into her tight pussy and pound into her ruthlessly as she screamed my name and moaned in pleasure. The thought of her being underneath me and submitting to me had my cock hardening.

I let go of Victoria's lips and began slowly placing warm breathy kisses along her jaw and neck while gently running my hand over her breast. This would have to do for now. Victoria breathed heavily and let out a soft moan as she put her hand on the back of my head and ran her fingers through my hair.

As I was about to make my way to Victoria's lovely collarbone, a small voice called, "Mommy."

I let out a disappointed sigh as Victoria stood up and opened the door.

"What is it, sweetie?" Victoria asked as she stepped into the hallway and scooped Antonio in her arms.

"I'm hungry."

I looked at the clock and saw that it was two-thirty.

Damn... We were making out for an hour?

"That's because it's time for your snack," Victoria said. "Let's go."

"Can we play a game?"

"Of course!"

"What game do you wanna play?" I asked as I followed Victoria down the stairs.

"UNO!"

Victoria and I laughed softly.

"Okay. First, let's have a snack, and then we'll play UNO. How does that sound?" Victoria asked.

"Good."

"Okay."

When we got to the kitchen, Victoria sat Antonio down while I grabbed some cheese, crackers, and grapes to snack on. Victoria cleaned the grapes while I fixed a platter. Once we were done, we set the food on the table, and Antonio immediately dug in.

I observed Victoria as we ate. She kept her eyes down and seemed lost in thought. I wondered what she was thinking about. I reached for her hand, causing her to glance up at me.

"I love you," I said as I leaned in and kissed Victoria's cheek.

"Ew!" Antonio shouted.

Victoria busted out laughing.

"What are you saying 'Ew' for?" I asked, slightly offended."

"Kissing is gross."

"Oh really?" I smirked.

I wrapped my arms around Victoria's shoulders. I kissed her multiple times on her cheek, making her giggle while Antonio made a disgusted face.

"Don't you dare criticize us," Victoria said. "I know about the girlfriend you had before we came here. Mrs. Davis told me that you two kissed each other on the cheek and held hands."

"Wait, what?" I asked in shock. "Antonio, you had a girlfriend and didn't tell me? I thought we were best friends!" I said as I faked a hurt expression and put my hand over my heart.

"Not anymore," Antonio mumbled.

"Why not?" I asked in confusion.

"You hurt Mommy. You promised you wouldn't hurt her again."

"Antonio," Victoria started. "What makes you think Daddy hurt me?"

"I heard Daddy tell someone he hurt you."

Victoria looked at me with a serious face.

"I was talking to my therapist," I defended. "I wasn't gossiping."

It was the truth. Once we got home from therapy, I called my counselor and anger management coach about what I had done to Victoria. Both scolded me for my actions; I thought counselors weren't supposed to do that.

Victoria sat closer to Antonio and hugged him.

"I'm okay, sweetie."

"But Daddy broke his promise!" Antonio yelled as he pushed Victoria away.

Antonio got up and stood in front of me and yelled, "I hate you!"

Victoria and I were speechless as Antonio ran up the stairs and slammed his door closed.

"That kid's a real mamma's boy, isn't he?" I said.

"I was all he had for a long time," Victoria said as she shrugged.

"Who's at fault for that?" I asked, a little too harsh with my tone of voice.

Victoria looked down and sighed, making me feel guilty.

"I'm sorry," I said. "That wasn't fair, and I also shouldn't have hit you."

Victoria looked at me with doubt in her eyes. I sighed and walked over to her, pulling her into a hug.

"I'm trying," I said. "I really am."