Glancing down at my infant, I murmur, “Come on, chicklet, it’s time for Mom to get ready for bed, too.”
Taking Bea with me, I get her situated in her bouncy seat on the floor in the bathroom as I wash my face, brush my teeth, then change out of my clothes and into a pair of matching boy-short underwear, along with my favorite nursing bralette. Pulling my robe on, I tie it at my waist and then we settle into bed. I read on my kindle while she nurses one more time, and then she’s out like a light. Carrying her into the room she shares with Penny, I lay her down as gently as I can, and sneak back out of the room. With a sigh of relief, I pad to the kitchen.
A light tap on the glass of the sliding patio door turns my head with a startled gasp. On the other side of the glass, Xander stands in the darkness beyond, but the light from the lamp highlights his features. He holds up one hand, a little pink puppy attached to a pacifier suspended there. I roll my eyes and smile, heading over to the door.
Pulling it open, I laugh, “This damn puppy. I swear we lose it at least once a day.”
“I’m just glad I spotted it,” he chuckles, handing Bea’s comfort item over to me.
“Thank you for tonight,” I murmur quietly. “You didn’t have to do all that, but I appreciate it nonetheless.”
Leaning one shoulder against the door jamb, he folds his arms over his chest, and I’m acutely aware of the way his eyes travel over my face, then lower, before climbing back up to mine. I swallow hard, my fingers shaking slightly as I clutch the pink stuffy between my hands.
“I had a good time,” he says quietly, that deep, husky timbre of his voice sending the butterflies in my belly to fluttering like crazy. “Your kids are great, Teddy. You’ve done such an amazing job with them.”
“Thanks for uh, for offering to take Dalton to a game,” I murmur, wringing the plushie between my fingers. I try to smile, but it’s wobbly. “Logan was supposed to take him this year, but…” I shake my head, forcing the smile back on my face. “I understand your schedule is crazy, but I appreciate you offering, even if it doesn’t happen?—”
“Why wouldn’t it happen?” he asks, those dark brows pulling low over his eyes. I stand a little straighter, taken off guard by the sharpness in his tone.
“I just meant—it’s still a long way out, Xander,” I whisper, worrying my bottom lip with my teeth. “That’s seven, eight months from now.”
“And?” he asks, shifting his feet, though his arms are still crossed over his chest. The muscles in his upper arms are bunched and dammit I can’t help but wish I could drag my fingers along those deeply tanned muscles.
“Xander,” I laugh hesitantly, blowing out a sigh.
“I’m crazy about you,” he continues, his eyes laser focused on mine. “That means every part of you, Mama, and your kidsare a part of you. It might have to happen before the fire season starts, but we’ll go to a game. I keep my word.”
“Oh,” I whisper, the word escaping me in a puff of breath. One corner of his mouth tilts up in a smirk.
“Oh,” he repeats, eyes twinkling. Pushing away from the doorjamb, he takes a step toward me, forcing me to look up into his face as he draws near. His hands bracket the sides of my face, his thumbs stroking along my cheeks. I’m trembling, shaking where I stand. “I told you I’m tired of fighting this, Teddy. I tried to.Goddamn I tried,” he breathes, shaking his head. “I know you deserve so much more, but I’d like to try to give you the world, beautiful. If you’ll let me.”
Reaching behind me, I slide the patio door closed. Her pupils are blown wide, those pretty pink lips parted. Goddamn she’s so fucking pretty like this. And this damn robe that lets me see just enough to drive me fucking wild imagining her body beneath it.
Palm flat, I slip my hand along her hip and around to her back, applying pressure and urging her closer. Until every inch of this glorious body is pressed flush against mine, all of her softness to my hardness. She gasps sharply, her eyes bouncing between mine. Stroking my thumb along her full lower lip, I groan and dip my head, taking her mouth with my own.
Fucking Christ. The way I want this woman…no, the way Ineedthis woman. It consumes me. Every part of me craves her in a way I can’t explain.
Her arms twine around my neck, pulling me closer, and I’m fucking done for. I grab handfuls of her ass in my palms, squeezing tightly, kneading, stroking. I want my hands on her bare skin.
We kiss until we’re breathless, panting into the semi darkness of the room that surrounds us. One dim lamp is on across theroom and the light over the stove is on, too. But the rest of the room is shrouded in shadows, including us.
Turning her so that she’s facing away from me, I lower my hands to the tie at her waist and slowly loosen the knot. I give her plenty of time to stop me if she wants to, but she doesn’t. Her chest is rising and falling rapidly, her back pressed tight to my chest. My heart is hammering wildly beneath my ribs and my cock is so hard I ache with my need for her. Spreading the thin robe wide, I cup her breasts in my palms, squeezing and kneading, then pinching her nipples between my fingers. Her back arches with a soft cry.
“Shhh,” I whisper raggedly, raising one hand to her mouth and covering it lightly. I chuckle against the skin of her neck, where I plant my mouth. “You’re going to have to be quiet, Teddy.”
She nods against my hand, and I lower it, sliding my hands along the bare skin of her waist between her underwear and bra.
“Fuck you’re so soft,” I groan, squeezing my fingers around her waist, the pads of my fingers digging into the soft flesh of her middle. Grinding my hips against her ass, I relish the quiet gasp as she feels how hard I am against her. “Goddamn, Teddy. You drive me crazy, sweetheart. Can I touch you?” I slide my right hand lower, to the band of her underwear. My fingers tease the elastic. “Can I make you come?”
She nods desperately against my chest, her head twisting so she can reach for my mouth with hers. Such a greedy thing.
Sliding my hand beneath the band of her panties, I sink my teeth into her bottom lip when my fingers encounter what I’ve been fucking dreaming about. I tease my fingertips along her lips, circle her clit lightly. She cries out against my mouth and I grin darkly. My beautiful little Teddy is loud. This is going to be fun.
Sinking first one finger inside, I pant against her mouth. “Fuck, Teddy, you’re so wet. Is this all for me, Mama?”
“Yes,” she cries on a breath, her eyes hazy and heavy lidded as she stares up at me. “Yes, Xander.”
Pushing a second finger deep, she mewls and her knees shake. I band my other arm around her waist, holding her steady as I pump my fingers inside her hot channel, her inner muscles clenching around me. Goddamn she’s fucking perfect. I push deep, flicking my fingers over her G-Spot, and she shudders against me, a sharp cry escaping her. Naughty thing.
