But did she? Did either of them? “I’ve been a parent. Autumn and I…” He hesitated, not wanting to seem as if he was grasping for more excuses. “She wasn’t ready for that responsibility. It strained everything between us.”
Heavenly’s eyes softened with understanding. “I’m not Autumn, Seth.”
“You’re right; you’re nothing like her,” he acknowledged. “You’re strong and incredibly independent. But I need to make sure you understand that a baby isn’t just a cute addition to our lives. It’s a lifetime commitment. It’s endless nights without sleep. It’s arguments about who’s more exhausted. It also means less time for us.” He glanced between them. “And right now, what we have is…pretty close to perfect.”
Beck stepped forward. “Perfect doesn’t mean complete, Cooper. Life moves forward or you’re not really living.”
Seth nodded. “I know. I’m not pushing back again. I wish Autumn and I had realized some of these things before Tristan was born. I’m making sure you both understand what we’re walking into.”
Heavenly placed her palm against his cheek, the gentle touch steadying him. “The difference is you won’t be trying to take care of both the baby and me. The three of us will face this together.”
True. Being a parent wouldn’t be the same this time. With Beck and Heavenly, it would be something different. Something new.
Her soft voice carried gravity. “I’ve been thinking about this—our future—for a while. And I want a family with both of you.”
Heavenly would make an amazing wife and mother.
Seth held her gaze, feeling the last of his resistance evaporate. He’d made it home—physically and emotionally—with seconds to spare. He was choosing to live. Choosing to love. Choosing them, just like Zach said. Just like Autumn would have wanted.
Heavenly was on board, but…
He turned to his partner in her pleasure—and hopefully, in the rest of their lives. “Beck?”
The other man studied him for a long moment. Then he heaved something that sounded like a cross between a growl and a sigh. “Don’t fuck this up.”
Seth nodded. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Not unless he wanted to be alone and miserable for the rest of his fucking life.
“So…are we done talking?” Heavenly’s soft voice hung in the air between them.
“I am,” Beck drawled. “Seth?”
His name—a single question that carried almost infinite weight. His answer would change his future. Their future.
But what more did they have to say?
Tonight, they would take Heavenly without barriers or protection. As conflicted as he’d been, he now grasped that he could either share his tomorrows with the people he loved or fucking spend them alone.
“Nothing left to say, except…” He tore his dress shirt from his shoulders impatiently. “She needs to be naked.”
“Hell, yes, she does.” Eyes darkening, Beck moved behind her and cupped her shoulders, his gaze meeting Seth’s over her head. “Just like she needs to be fucked. To be bred.”
That word. It ignited him, sparking fantasies he hadn’t even realized were burning in the back of his brain. Logic told him he should be terrified…but even the idea set him on fire. Fuck, Seth had sworn he’d never cross this line again, but he was choosing this. With Heavenly’s eyes pleading and his head feeding him images of her taking him bare and deep…
He had no fucking prayer of resisting.
“Now,” he demanded.
Together, he and Beck lunged for her, Seth tearing at the tie around her waist. The instant it gave way, the doctor yanked the garment from her body, unwrapping her with the unabashed enthusiasm of a kid at Christmas.
Holy shit. She gleamed, pale like a pearl in the low, golden light. He’d seen her naked countless times…but she always stole his breath—lush tits, soft hips, slender thighs. And those eyes, the way she blinked up at him, looking so innocent and sweetly vulnerable. For months, he and Beck had been ruining her. Corrupting her.
That wasn’t enough anymore. He ached to cement his place in her life, to imprint himself on her and bind himself to these two forever.
“Isn’t our little girl perfect?”
“She is.” He dragged a hand up her body, skating over her breast, skimming her beaded nipple until he settled a finger under her chin and forced her to meet his stare. “I’ve never not wanted you, angel. From the moment I laid eyes on you…”
Her breaths turned short, her pulse banging at her throat. Because he was touching her? Because she was aware of the significance of what they were about to do?
