A Lil' Less Hopeless by Tara Oakes

how many times I’ve been there for my pop, Tiny, Jay... any of them that have ever gotten into trouble? The one time I get into a legal jam and they’re nowhere to be found! I can’t help but feel hurt, alone, angry.
    “Oh, before I forget... this belongs to you, young lady.” Bernie hands me a plastic baggie containing my cell phone. It had been taken from me before I was taken back for questioning. Apparently, electronic devices are frowned upon in a controlled environment like an FBI inquisition.
    Ever the gentleman, Bernie opens the rear car door for us and I follow Jessica in. Powering up my phone, the screen instantly lights up with a tally of all of the messages. I thumb my way through them, scrolling down until I reach the one I am looking for.
     
    JAY: I SENT BERNIE
    HE’LL GET YOU HOME ASAP
    DON’T WORRY.... I’VE GOT A PLAN
    I LOVE YOU
    ******
    JAY
     
    The most important people in Lil’s life, hell in my life, are around this table. Butch, Tiny, Pops and Ma. We’ve just spent the last hour or so going over all the details. Pops is holding on to my ma, stoically supporting her as she gazes blankly at nothing in particular. Butch lights up a cigarette and takes a long drag. Tiny just watches. My oldest, truest friend in the world watches and holds back his words. He knows the kind of man I am. He knows none of his words can change my mind. All of the people around this table know that.
    I’ve done worse things than most people, when I’ve needed too. What I’m about to do, though... I need all of the people here to be behind me. I can’t do it without them.

CHAPTER SIX
    I reach out and pull her closer. She’s only inches away... but it’s not close enough. Her bare shoulder is exposed, calling to me. There’s not much light trickling in through the windows, but I can see the tiny little bumps forming on that soft skin as I breathe onto it.
    She stirs slightly, deep in her dream state but wanting to leave it, to come to me. I know I’ve got to help her break from her sleep and join me in the here and now. I slide my hand down the curve of her hip, dragging the sheet down with it, while I kiss that shoulder deep using my heat to soothe the prickled gooseflesh.
    Her luscious hip gives way to her thigh, and my fingers continue to work their way, edging closer to the moment when she wakes. My fingers disappear into her hot crevice and coat themselves. Oh she was dreaming alright. Fuck me . It’s time to make those dreams come true.
    I nip her shoulder and pull on it to roll her over, adjusting my body to rest hovering over her. I feel her hips instinctively raise themselves slightly to meet me. Using my knee I pry my way to where she needs me, where I need to be.
    The scorching warmth escapes and greets me as I slide myself slowly, deeply into it. Her sleeping eyes flutter and a hiss breaks free from her pink lips. I settle myself at the hilt, closing my eyes as the enormity of the sensation penetrates through the thin encasement of my dick. Sleeping next to Lil’s every night, next to her gorgeous body leaves me with raging morning wood. I know I’ve got to mentally calm myself or I’m gonna finish this before my baby girl even finishes waking up.
    I even out my breathing, concentrating on the steady rhythm. She stirs below me and I feel her moistness clamp down on me. I part her soft lips and move my tongue in, devouring her deep moans. It takes a moment, but once my thrusting begins, she responds to my pumping, my pushing.
    “Good mornin’, baby girl.” I greet her. Her nails sketch imaginary lines into my back as she moves them effortlessly over the bulges.
    “Mmm.... yes, yes it is,” she answers me in words and then throws her hips up suddenly, answering my body. Lil’s doesn’t usually sleep in much clothing... there’s never much to peel off her, but it’s always an extra treat when there’s nothing at all. I had exhausted her last night when I got home, using my body to