We finish up, and I open the gate, giving Boner free rein of the house again. He gets bored with us pretty quickly, opting to take one of the new toys Austin brought for him over to his bed, where he chews on it like a gremlin. I return to the kitchen, put the kettle on the stove, and take the baby from Finley’s arms.
“Why don’t you go take a nice hot shower? I’ll make you a cup of tea, and we can order whatever you want for dinner.”
“Mmm,” she hums, her eyes fluttering closed. “That sounds amazing. I won’t be long, I promise.”
I dip down, pressing my lips to hers in a soft yet claiming caress. She smiles into the kiss, true happinessradiating from her small frame as she pulls away. She’s fucking beautiful, and this whole experience only intensified my feelings for her. I didn’t think it was possible with the way my heart seemed to beat faster and harder every time she was near, butfuck. Watching her bring a life into this world has made me fall even deeper in love with her than before. I’m the luckiest asshole alive for getting to call Finley Bolton mine.
“Take as long as you want, Mama. You deserve it. We’ll be just fine down here.”
She hesitates for a second, a hint of worry passing over her expression as she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth. I level her with a stern look that saysgo, until finally, she turns and leaves the room. Then, it’s just my baby girl and me. She’s awake now, her big blue eyes looking up at me as she sucks on her pacifier.
“Hey there, pretty girl,” I coo, swaying back and forth mindlessly as she begins to doze off. It’s impossible not to stare, admiring each one of her tiny features. Finley was so worried about her looking like Eric, but there’s not a trace of him to be found. Between the round, pink cheeks and auburn-red hair, she’s all Fin—perfect in every way.
I prepare Finley’s tea with one hand, only going upstairs when Norah starts crying. She hasn’t eaten since before we left the hospital, and unfortunately, I don’t have the proper equipment to feed her. By the time I enter the bedroom, Finley is already out of the shower, a warm, fluffy robe wrapped around her gorgeous body.
“I knew you’d be a little troublemaker for Daddy,”she says with an adorable grin as she gingerly walks toward us. I know she’s still a bit sore from delivery, but I plan on making it so she doesn’t have to lift a single finger around here until she feels better. After what she just went through, it’s the very least I can do.
“Nah,” I reply, transferring the baby into her mama’s arms. “She’s been good. Just hungry.”
She sits on the bed, and I stare in complete adoration as she slides the robe down her shoulder and offers her breast to Norah. She stops crying immediately, soft sucks and grunts leaving her tiny body as she takes what she needs.
I have to admit I’m beyond grateful that the Renegades’ season is done. I can’t imagine leaving my two favorite girls to play another road game, missing out on precious moments with both of them. We’ll be back next year, bigger, badder, and ready to claim our championship. But for now, I’m going to soak in every minute I can with my family, because this, right here, is the most important thing of all.
FORTY-TWO
FINLEY
“There’s my birthday girl,”Theo says as he steps into the bedroom. I’m standing in front of the full-length mirror, staring at my fifth dress of the day like it personally offended me by not fitting the way it used to. “I was starting to think you were ditching your own party.”
I turn, my bottom lip pushed into a pitiful pout. “Tell everyone I said thanks for coming, but there’s no way I’m going down there like this.” I lift my arms, expecting him to understand my pain, but he just furrows his brows, perplexed.
“I’m…confused,” he replies, his expression twisted but cautious because he can tell that I’m an emotional bomb, ready to go off at any second. “Forgive me for being obtuse, but what about this is bad? I think you look fucking hot.”
I roll my eyes at his stupid cuteness.Of coursehe thinks I look hot. He hasn’t been laid in over a month, which everybody knows is like a year in guy time.
“You’re not obtuse, baby,” I say. “You’re backed up. A stiff wind could make you hard right now, so I’m not surprised that you think this is attractive.” I gesture at my torso, where the cotton material is stretched tight around me. “I look like a busted can of biscuits, and this is the loosest non-maternity dress I own.” My eyes water, my lower lip wobbling as I drop my face into my hands.
I cry quietly, barely registering the sound of him rushing to my side until he’s right there, pulling me into his arms. I melt into him, letting all my emotions out as he presses gentle kisses to the crown of my head. My hormones haven’t really leveled back out yet, and I can’t help but feel a little stupid for breaking down so easily. But it’s my birthday, we have a house full of people, and I just want to feel like myself again.
“Finley,” he says softly. “You just had a baby four weeks ago. It’s going to take a little time to bounce back. And even if you don’t, you’re still the sexiest, most beautiful woman in the world.” He pulls back slightly, dragging his gaze down my frame. “In fact, I’m even more turned on by this body after seeing you give birth to my baby.”
“Really?” I whine, sniffling. “I don’t still look pregnant?”
He barks a laugh. “No. Not at all. I think maybe you’re just not used to all the amazing new curves you have. Even though I know I shouldn’t, it’s impossible not to fantasize about knocking you up again every time I look at you. I swear, you’ve turned me into a feral animal.” A slow smirk tugs at one corner of his mouth,his eyes locking onto my chest. “Also, your tits are fucking huge. I’m dying to get my mouth on them.”
My cheeks heat, and I stifle a smile as he leans in, his lips and tongue ghosting along the side of my neck. I moan, enjoying the way it feels when he sucks gently. It’s not even really sexual, which is good, since I’m nowhere near ready for that. But it makes me feel desired in a way that I’ve been missing for the past few weeks.
“Oh yeah?” I ask, tipping my head to give him better access as his hands explore my lower back. “What happens when you end up with a mouthful of milk? I bet you won’t be so enthusiastic about them then.”
He drags a wet line with his tongue from my pulse point to my ear, his breath fanning over the sensitive skin. “That’s where you’re wrong, Mama. I think I’d love it.”
I exhale a shaky breath, a very dull, yet familiar tingle prickling along my skin. The thought of Theo with his lips wrapped around my nipple as he drinks me down causes a reaction that I’m not sure either of us was prepared for, but I can’t say I’m closed off to it when we’re ready to be intimate again.
He chuckles, nipping at my lobe. “Let’s table that for another time, so I’m not bricked up in front of our friends, yeah?” His eyes soften, recalling what started this in the first place. “Seriously, though. You look incredible. Now let’s go get our daughter before Stella runs off with her. They’ve been here all of fifteenminutes, and she’s already asked Emmett to put a baby in her twice.”
I shake my head, giggling. “Our friends are weird.”
“I’m really happy you were able to make it,” I say to Vince as we sit on the couch, the boisterous voices of the Renegades and their significant others bleeding in from the kitchen. When Theo asked me if I wanted to invite him to my birthday get-together, I didn’t even hesitate to say yes. He’s been making an effort to check in via phone or text at least every few days, offering to help in any way he can while we settle into parenthood. I’m still not ready to confront my mother about what she did, nor do I want her to be a part of Norah’s life right now, but I’m thankful that fate gave me a second chance with Vince.
