Jess’s smile is coy. “I bet he would love that.”
Abby shakes her head in amusement.
“Anyhow, are you done eating, kiddo?” I move us along.
Theo nods and then scurries out of his chair. He runs to Romeo who’s lying on the kitchen floor.
“He is such a little cutie,” Jess mentions as she pours another glass of wine.
“That kid is going to break hearts, but I am not going over to the dark side of parenthood yet,” Max comments.
“Where is Nate, by the way?” Leo asks as he types something into his phone.
I throw my napkin onto my plate. “Busy. He’ll come tomorrow to see Theo. Might be hungover, but he never misses time with Theo.”
“Alright. Shall I get d-e-s-s-e-r-t out?” Abby asks everyone as she gathers plates. Knowing damn well that if we let out the post-dinner D-word that Theo will be on a rollercoaster to Hyperville.
Everyone nods in agreement as Leo opens another bottle of red.
I help Abby bring dishes to the kitchen, and when we put dishes into the dishwasher, I gently let me hand graze her ass and it earns me a warning purr from her.
Leaning against the kitchen island, I look at Abby as she puts some leftovers into Tupperware. “I wish you could sleep over.” As much as I would love sneaking her into my room and sneaking her out before Theo wakes, Theo still sometimes surprises me during the night.
“Me too. But I’ll come back tomorrow. You okay with Romeo? He has spent a few nights at my parents’ and Jess’s place without problem.”
I wave a hand at her. “It’s fine. Anyways, let me get Theo to bed and then we can have a quickie in the pantry or something after the others leave.”
“Sounds like you have plans,” she giggles.
I grab her arm gently and pull her into my breathing space, giving her a look that should tell her that I am not messing around. “Abby, I had plans in my head fifteen years ago, and I have plans in my head for you now. Except now those plans are even dirtier and my skillset is way above par.” My upper lip hitches into my signature suave grin.
She bites her inner cheek in excitement. “I’ll be the judge of that,” Abby informs me.
We both silently chuckle to ourselves as I call out to Theo for bedtime. He comes running to me.
“Okay. It’s way past your bedtime, say goodnight to everyone.”
To my surprise he doesn’t protest, and he goes to say goodnight to everyone, and they all hug him goodnight and he returns to Abby and me.
“Can Abby come with?” he asks as he grabs Abby’s hand. Abby looks at me with a beaming look. “She has to put Romeo to sleep.”
“The boy has spoken,” I state and follow them, telling the gang that we will be down in a few.
After getting Theo into pajamas and brushing teeth, we head to his room.
“Can Abby read to Romeo and me?” Theo grabs his book and heads into his bed.
I look at Abby and give her approving eyes. She looks hesitant but is smiling a genuine smile. In fact, her face almost radiates.
“Sure, buddy,” Abby agrees as Theo settles into bed. Abby calls Romeo to the bed and he lays at the end of the bed as she perches next to Theo.
For the next few minutes, I listen to Abby read Dr. Seuss to Theo as I lean against the door. Relief hitting me, because I think we are going to be alright. Freaking swirls of emotion flow through me as this is a touching view.
And it must be a bizarre evolution effect, but this view makes me want to bone her like crazy.
After finishing the book, I tuck Theo in, and upon Theo’s urging, Abby Tucks Romeo in complete with a stuffed animal. Gently closing the door, leaving it a crack open behind us, we walk to the end of the hallway before heading downstairs.
I touch Abby’s arm, and I get a glimpse of her gentle smile. But only a glimpse because my mouth covers hers for a full and fierce kiss. It makes her moan into my mouth as her arms loop around my neck. In that moment, I wonder how I can get away with taking her quick.
