This time, he’d show her he meant what he’d said. He’d set an intention every single day to shower her with the love and happiness she deserved.
Love.
Christ, he loved this woman. Always had. And somehow over the past few days, that love had intensified to a level he never thought possible. But he couldn’t tell her—not yet.
She traced her index finger along his chest until it snagged the gold chain. “I was thinking about what you said earlier.”
“I thought you said no more talking.” Frowning, he trapped her hand with his and held it over his heart.
“Not about that. About wishing there were animals still around for Parker to enjoy. I know you’ll have a lot on your plate with starting your business, but I think you should fill those barns again.”
He chuckled and roamed his free hand along the subtle dips along her spine. He loved their son and thinking about the future, but right now every inch of his body was focused on Celine and the things he still wanted to do to her before the sun rose. “You do, huh?”
She nodded. “This is your home again. I don’t want it to weigh you down with ugly memories. You should fill it with new, wonderful ones. What could be more wonderful than watching Parker fall in love with animals the way you did?”
“Can I buy him some sheep?”
Groaning, she tilted back her head in a dramatic fashion before letting it fall to his chest. “I should have known you’d want him to try mutton busting.”
He chuckled and smoothed the hair from her face as she snuggled in beside him. “Think of how cute he’d be riding a sheep. We could set up everything he needs to learn in the barn. Maybe get him a pony, and every kid needs a dog. A goodherding dog to keep him in line as he roams the property with the pack of critters we get him.”
“Yes to the dog, maybe to the pony, and we’ll discuss him riding a sheep like a miniature bull champion when he’s three. Kid can’t even crawl yet so there’s no reason to figure out all the details now.”
“We’ve got plenty of time.” He pressed a kiss to the side of her head and his heart stretched to fit all the joy for what laid ahead.
“And maybe you could move out of your childhood room,” she said, her voice soft and low.
He sighed and hooked an arm behind his head. “Suzy said the same thing. I just can’t see myself moving into my dad’s room.”
“That’s not the only free space in the house, and several are bigger than this one.”
It was true. The three-story manor held more bedrooms than he knew what to do with, and his father had kept him and Suzy in the smallest ones. No doubt some kind of psychological bullshit to remind him of his place in the world.
“You know what, you’re right. Staying in the place my dad put me as a kid continues to give him power he doesn’t deserve. It’s time I took control of every area of my life. This house included.” He waited a beat, his pulse pounding wildly in his veins before asking the question burning the tip of his tongue. “Can I turn one of the rooms into a nursery for Parker?”
Celine rolled to her side, raising just enough to stare down at him again. “Seriously?”
He nodded and held his breath. “Only if you’re okay with it. I meant it when I said I wouldn’t push. Not with you, not with Parker. But I want him to know he has a space that’s his own. That he belongs here.”
Tears hovered over her dark lashes. “I think that’d be wonderful.”
He swiped his thumb under her eyes to keep the tears from falling. “You have a space here too. When and if you want it. On your terms.”
She pressed her lips to his, moving her mouth slowly as her palm cradled his jaw.
He wrapped her tight in his arms, rolling to pin her under him. Desire sparked to life inside him, but this time it was different. Born not just from passion but from tenderness and love and devotion. He’d prove himself worthy of her if it was the last thing he did.
Slipping his hand down the gentle dip above her hip, he nipped her bottom lip before trailing kisses down the long column of her neck.
She arched her back, offering herself to him as a moan purred from her mouth.
“Enough talking,” he said. “We only have a couple hours before the day starts. I still have a few more tricks up my sleeve.”
“Well, then, you better get started.”
A loud wail sounded from the baby monitor.
Celine groaned. “Are you freaking kidding me?” She made a move to shimmy from the bed.
