I held my precious angel in my arms and glanced around Ruby and Lyric’s backyard at everyone celebrating the holiday with us. My eyes landed on my husband who was talking to Bronson and Lyric and my heart picked up speed.
The sight of him always had a crazy effect on me. It had since the moment my eyes landed on him. And he was damn easy on the eyes. I wasn’t kidding when I told the ladies at one of our slumber parties shortly after meeting him, that he could be a model, especially an underwear model.
He looked fine oh fine in his boxer briefs, hugging his impressive package and very fine ass.
“What is that naughty look on your face all about?” Gemma asked as she walked up to me with her adorable little baby boy in her arms.
It was going to be amazing having our kids so close in age, growing up together. And it was fun teasing her too.
“I was thinking about all the wicked things I was going to do to your brother’s body when we got home and how well-endowed he is.”
Gemma made a gagging sound. “Closing my ears now.”
It was a good thing the babies didn’t have a clue what we were saying and all the others were playing farther away having a blast, while some of the younger ones were in playpens as Ruby’s gramps watched over them. That man was a gem and loved all the kids.
All the adults kept eagle eyes on the kids as well and joined in to play games with them throughout the day.
We’d all been hanging out for a couple hours and it was getting close to eating time. I looked over at Ruby and lifted my shoulders, while throwing my palms up in question.
“I thought for sure she would come,” Ruby said, knowing exactly what I was asking without saying anything out loud.
It was a party and Ruby had extended an offer to Lake and her daughter to come join us. I knew the intriguing woman had seen us all together, and around Bronson, but Ruby hadn’t mentioned who all would be there. Maybe Lake had assumed and stayed clear on the possibility of running into the man from her past.
But there was another reason that Lake was told she should come. When Ruby had told us about the problems the woman was having, not only were our matching minds spinning, but our protective instincts were humming like crazy.
Lake needed the men atNo Surrender.
Bronson especially
He may have been a cop, but he worked with all our guys too and planned to take on more stuff. Who knows, maybe he’d end up making a change like Lyric did and go all in with the business one day.
I knew how lucky I was to have the ladies in my life, but also all the amazing men too. And Pax, well he was the other half of me. I couldn’t imagine not being his wife.
As if he sensed me thinking about him, his gaze found mine and he mouthed,I love you.
I blew him a kiss and mouthed the words right back.
Next to him, I noticed Bronson’s eyes go wide as they took in something over my shoulder. I spun around and I let out a big breath.
They came.
Lake held the hand of an adorable little girl that looked to be around six, both their faces filled with unease or nervousness. What a sight the two of them made together though. They were beautiful, mother and daughter. Their gazes took in the women, and I didn’t think Lake had noticed Bronson yet.
Ruby left our group who were now all huddled together and rushed to close the distance between her and Lake. She greeted the woman who she’d known from the hospital and coaxed her to move in the direction of the ladies.
Every one of my friends greeted her with open arms and within minutes it was as if she was one of us. And I had a feeling with or without Bronson she would be. But all of us ladies wouldn’t go down without a fight until the two of them took their second chance.
“Thank you for having us,” Lake said.
Seconds later, Embry and the other children rushed over to the girl still holding on to her mom’s hand like her life depended on it.
“Want to play tag with us?” Embry said to the newcomer whose name I learned was Stormi.
Lake and Stormi, they had a mother, daughter bond that was clear to see and even though they were uneasy about being there, they both had a fight that gleamed in the depths of their eyes.
I found myself wondering what their stories were and how their lives had been.
Lake looked down at her daughter and then crouched so they were face to face. “If you want to play it’s okay, just take your inhaler with you.”
