Six years later
LIKE SOmany other mornings, Lynx walked barefoot onto the sand, waves lapping in front of her, the house quiet behind her. Raising her face to the sun, she welcomed its kiss on her skin, warming her from the outside in. She walked to the water’s edge and stared at the horizon. A fine orange line dotted where the water met the sky.
This was her life. It was a good one, a beautiful one, and a special one.
A brightly colored one.
Her beginning had been rough, her middle an adventure, but from now until the end, it was meant to be radiant. She’d never imagined it would be this glorious.
An arm wrapped around her waist.
“Morning.” Mike’s voice was gravelly, the way she liked it. His front pressed firmly to her back, also the way she liked it.
Lynx felt safe and protected in the arms of her bouncer. Of course, now he was a legitimate businessman, but he’d always be her tough guy.
“Hey.” She leaned her head back into his shoulder.
“You good?”
She nodded. “Just admiring the view.”
“Me too.” He squeezed her hip, and Lynx smiled. “You know what today is?”
His words tickled her ear. Another smile brightened her eyes, even though he couldn’t see it.
“Our anniversary. A long fucking time ago, I went to a party in a penthouse atop a Vegas casino. I was a real knight in shining armor and stood up for a lady in distress. Turns out, she was my queen and I was her king. Just took us a while to figure it out.”
Mike’s breath was warm on her neck, and she let that and his words seep in like coffee in the wee hours. His hand grazed the small bump of her belly.
Lynx turned, the sun beating on her braids. “I love you, Michael Anthony Wind. Thank you for always standing up for me.”
“Love you too, babe.” He bent and kissed her, copping a feel of her ass all the while.
“Mom, look! Mom, look!”
Mike didn’t let her pull her lips away for one more quick beat, and then she had to tear herself away to look up. Running down from the house came their son, Chandler, shirtless and wearing only pajama bottoms, all tanned with a head full of big brown curls.
“Mom!”
“Chandler,” Samara yelled from behind him. “Let them be.” She ran after him, but he was faster.
“Dad! Mom!” Chandler stood, catching his breath, a big smile on his face.
“Something’s missing,” Lynx said.
Mike looked up, tapping a finger on his chin. “Hmm, what could it be?”
“I lost a tooth,” their son yelled, jumping up and down and kicking sand everywhere. “Aunt Sammy was there, drinking her coffee, texting with Landon, and pop ... out it came!”
“Were you a tough guy?”
“Yeah, I’m Big Chandler because you’re my dad, and you’re Big Mike!”
“Morning,” Samara said. “I tried to keep him up there and let you two have a moment. Sorry.”
“Nah, it’s all good. This is what it’s all about.” Mike ruffled the curls on top of Chandler’s head. “Landon good?”
She nodded. “He’ll be home soon.”
