Roaring cheers reverberate through the house as Sienna traipses down the stairs in her shiny teal stilettos. Carla and I wait at the top, not wanting to intrude on her movie star moment. We follow once she reaches the bottom. I went all out, decorating the porch and living room in teal and gold. There are even refreshments in the kitchen. My men helped, making sure everything was done to my exact specifications.
“We did good.” Beau grins, gathering me in his arms. “She’s perfect.”
“She is, isn’t she?” I beam, planting a loud kiss on his lips.
The living room is packed with family and friends. A lot more pictures are taken—to my daughter’s annoyance—but she’s a good sport about it. Twenty minutes later, she and her date are on the way to the prom and our guests have gone.
Shepard embraces me from behind, wrapping strong arms around my abdomen. “Movie night?”
“Sure,” I respond, leaning into his warmth.
“I’ll get the popcorn,” Axel volunteers and heads towards the kitchen.
“Extra butter,” Silas calls out to him, dropping into the loveseat. “And salt, too.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbles. “I know.”
Silas, being the oldest, is used to bossing his brothers around. Axel is our third born, so he isn’t too far down in the pecking order. They’re the only two who followed in their fathers’ footsteps and became roughnecks. There was never a dull moment raising five boys and then a girl. Fights and arguments were the norm. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t change anything. My life is perfect. The tears, headaches, and long nights were all worth it.
It’ll be strange with just us four in the house again after all these years. I’m looking forward to alone time with my men, though. We’re retired now, but still own properties.
“What do you have in mind, Sweet Peach?” Emmett asks, browsing through movies on the television.
“Something with blood and guts.”
He chuckles. “You got it.”
I’m happily cocooned between my men on the sectional when the movie starts. I begin to doze after an hour but perk up, feeling Emmett’s hand creep under my skirt. I know what that means.
“My dick is rock hard all of a sudden,” he whispers in my ear.
“Really?” I reply teasingly, removing his hand from my thigh. “Sounds like a personal problem to me.”
“You know I like when you play hard to get.” He places his hand back on my thigh and trails kisses along my neck.
I giggle. “Will you stop it and watch the movie?”
“I rather watch you,” he rumbles in between kisses. “We should cut this movie night short and head upstairs.”
“I agree,” Beau murmurs, lavishing kisses on the other side of my neck.
“Get a room,” Silas grumbles.
I cock an eyebrow at him. “When are you going to settle down and give us grandbabies?”
“Not this again,” he complains. “I’m only twenty-eight for Christ’s sake.”
“You two should get going,” Shepard announces, standing and turning off the television. “Your mother’s tired. We have to put her to bed.”
Silas and Axel exchange knowing looks.
The latter scoffs. “Whatever you say.”
“The movie is almost over,” I hiss at him. “Show a little tact.”
“We’ve all seen this movie.” Shepard lifts me in his arms and starts for the stairs. “We know how it ends.”
“Goodnight, boys,” Beau says, falling in step behind him. “Lock up for us.”
