Dancing in the rain

The lightning and heavy rain wakes me from a deep sleep. After a while, the rain slows to a gentle tap on the window, and the rhythm is like music. The sound is so pleasant that I could have fallen asleep, but then a memory flashes.

I toss the covers off and swing my legs over the bed. I slip on my shirt and creep down to Shorty's room. I hate that she's not in my bed where she's supposed to be.

I find Shorty facing the window, asleep with Sophie in her arms.

I could stand here forever and watch her sleep, but I need to wake her before the rain stops.

I gently pick Sophie up and put her back in the crib. I walk over to Shorty, leaning over her. I close my eyes and inhale her fruity scent.

"Shorty, wake up," I whisper in her ear.

She mumbles something incoherent but doesn't wake up.

I let out a deep chuckle.

"Baby, I need you to get up."

She stirs, causing the sheet to fall to her mid-thighs, giving me a perfect view of her lacy red panties. I groan in frustration, lust making my balls ache.

"Wh-what time is it?" Shorty looks at me, confused. I give her a warm smile and kiss her on the cheek.

"Just a little after midnight."

"Donnie?" she says with a yawn.

"Just come with me."

Shorty pulls on her pants and throws a hoodie on over her tank. Still sleepy, her legs wobble. She tries to twirl her hair in a bun, but I remove the scrunchie, ignoring her protests.

"What are we doing?" she asks as I tug her down the steps and out the back door.

"Can I have this dance?" I ask, with a big stupid grin on my face.

Tears begin to fill her eyes.

"Nuh-uh. No crying." She wipes her tears away.

"Dance with me," I ask again.

When we were younger, Shorty and I would dance in the rain whenever her father had beaten her so badly she was laid up in bed afterwards.

I pull her to me, and she follows.

"What song are we dancing to?" she asks as the rain showers us.

"It Will Rain' by Bruno Mars." I glance down at her rosy lips and flushed cheeks. I lean down and press my lips against hers.

I grab her hand and lead her further into the yard.

We dance in the rain.

She lets out a high-pitched laugh when I spin her around and pull her back to me. She removes her hoodie and throws it to the wet ground and spins in a circle with her arms wide open. She stops and tilts her head up to the dark sky with her eyes closed and a smile on her gorgeous face, as if she just felt the weight of the world lift off her shoulders.

I love this girl.

As if she can hear my thoughts, she glances in my direction with pure love in her eyes. Without a second thought, I rush toward her and smash my lips to hers. She pulls me closer, kissing me with hunger, as if she hasn't eaten in days and I'm the only thing that can satisfy her. I wince when she wraps her hands on my sides.

"Oh, God. I'm sorry." She giggles against my lips.

I smile and kiss her with so much passion it's like I'm using my last breath.