I enter the kitchen and stop in my tracks. He’s holding Mason to his chest, and his hand gently rubs the sleeping baby. I watch him kiss the top of his dark, soft hair, and my ovaries practically drop to the floor to run to him. I’ve never thought about having kids. I didn’t think it was in the cards for me, but the yearning I feel now to carry this man’s child one day takes me by surprise.
He looks up and smiles when he notices me. I put a hand on my stomach to calm the butterflies, and he quickly looks down at my belly before meeting my eyes again. His gaze darkens, and I don’t know how, but I know he’s thinking about the same thing…me round with his child.
“Do you want to hold him?” His voice is thick with emotion.
I nod my head, unable to speak through the lump in my throat. Walking over to him, he carefully transfers him to my arms. Little breaths hit my skin before I hear a tiny sigh as hesettles in against the curve of my neck. I breathe in his soft, downy hair and baby smell before kissing the same spot Jake’s lips just touched.
“He’s perfect,” I whisper. I rub his back and feel his tiny fingers grasp my shirt. Feeling Jake’s gaze on me, I glance up and meet his intense stare.
“Yeah, he is,” he says quietly before finally breaking eye contact to scoop up his niece, who is tugging on his pant leg. “And so is Princess Ryland.” He tickles her belly, causing her to laugh. “Rybug, do you remember Miss Lyla from the wedding?”
She lays her head full of auburn curls against his chest as her big grey eyes take me in. If her hair were dark, she would be a spitting image of her uncle. All four brothers look very similar, and there is no mistaking the resemblance with Ryland.
“Hi, Ryland,” I smile.
“Bow,” she points at my shirt, and I laugh.
“That’s right. I had the bowtie on my shirt at the wedding. You do remember me.”
She gives me a big, toothy grin before looking up at Jake. “Cookie.”
Laughing, Jake shakes his head and looks at me. “I kind of started something with her. She has just as much of a sweet tooth as I do, so I’ve been sneaking her cookies. She’s very hard to say no to when she looks at me like that.”
“All kids have a sweet tooth,” I laugh. “But, yeah, I can see the problem. She’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t be able to say no either,” I grin.
“Well, one of us will have to be the rule guy with our kids because if our little girl looks like you, I will be putty in her hands.”
His words surprise me, sending tiny thrills throughout my body, causing the butterflies to return. The corner ofhis mouth turns up, and his eyes hold promises that make me want to believe in them.
“Don’t look so surprised, little hummingbird. If I had my way, I would have already put a baby in you. I’ll be a good boy, though, and wait. It’s nice having your body all mine for just a little bit longer.”
He chuckles at my shocked face as he walks to the kitchen counter.
“I’ve got something better than cookies tonight, Rybug. I smelled brownies earlier, and I’ll share them with you. Lyla makes the best desserts you’ve ever tasted.” He turns and winks at me before getting out a pink bowl for her.
“Brownies before dinner?” I ask, raising my eyebrow.
“Are you going to tell on us?” He looks at me with a mischievous smile, tugging at his lips.
“Not if I get some, too,” I grin.
“That’s my girl,” he laughs and begins cutting up some slices for us.
If he only knew what those three little words do to me. I watch him talk with Ryland and give her a bite. Kissing Mason’s soft head again, I watch the two of them interact. He makes it so easy for me to picture us doing the same thing with our kids one day. I may not have been given the family memories I wanted growing up, but maybe the family I’m meant to have is just starting.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
JAKE
An hour later, we’re all on the couch, watchingMoanafor the hundredth time. Ryland has been obsessed with the ocean and beach since she moved here.
I glance over at Lyla, who is snuggled with Rybug under a blanket. I’m not surprised those two hit it off. Lyla has no clue how easy it is to love her. Love at first sight is definitely a real thing with her.
Mason moves slightly in my arms, and I glance down to readjust his blanket. His long, dark lashes rest against his cheeks as I brush my fingers over his dark hair. Bright blue eyes blink open and find mine before he yawns and closes them again. I smile as his fingers curl over mine.
“You are so good with him,” I hear Lyla say softly.
I turn and see Lyla watching me. Ryland is fast asleep now against her side. I reach for the remote and turn off the movie.
