I whimpered at the loss of him.
“Don’t torture me, babe.” He groaned.
I bit my lip against begging him to take me again. My body was still primed for him. I touched my lips, swollen from his mouth.
He tucked himself back into his jeans, his eyes bright with intention. “Later,” he promised.
“Later,” I agreed, lifting my hips to slide my pants back up my legs.
Just in time too.
The sudden reverberation of the front door slamming shut followed immediately by the pitter-patter of little feet broke me from my spell. “Mama! I mean… Jilly.” Emmie’s squeal of excitement and slip of the tongue had my heart bursting. “Uncle Ry Ry let me watch dos sharks again and dis time they weren’t even scary!” she announced proudly as she marched into the room.
I’d told Ryker not to let her watchFinding Nemo. But we all knew “Uncle Ry Ry” was putty in Emmie’s hands. No doubt she hadn’t had to work very hard to convince him.
Piper peeked her head around the corner, shooting an apologetic look my way.
I knew what she was conveying without speaking. No doubt she’d been sick and they’d needed to entertain the kids. Poor Piper was having it rough her first trimester.
“That’s great, sweetie.” I smiled at Emmie. “Tell you what,” I suggested, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. “Cal has to run an errand. How about I make you guys something to eat. Are you hungry?”
“I’m starving!” Max hollered from the living room.
“We just fed him like an hour ago,” Piper replied incredulously.
“Yeah well, just you wait.” I grinned.
“Kid’s like a garbage disposal,” Cal agreed proudly, rising to his feet and scooping Emmie up. She giggled as he growled playfully at her. With a quick glance back at me, his promise from a moment ago clear in his gaze, he carried her from the room.
“We had fun,” Piper murmured. “Your kids are amazing. Are you okay?” she asked worriedly.
“I’m okay.” I nodded, surprised that I meant it. “How about a ginger ale?” I offered with a knowing smile.
I might have been taking a break from working, but I’d always be a nurse.
Chapter 35
“Marry me.” Cal’s demand took me by surprise the following morning. He’d gotten home late and more than held up his end of the bargain—he’d woken me by sliding inside me. We hadn’t fallen asleep until the hint of dawn began shimmering through the curtains.
As it was, I was still half asleep and unsure I’d understood him.
“Um, okay?” I replied, confused, turning from the coffee I’d been pouring. I’d already agreed to marry him. The huge diamond on my finger said as much.
“Today,” he clarified with a heart-stopping smile before his gaze grew serious. “That asshole signed the papers before we dropped him off like a fucking prize to the cops. So yes, today, baby.”
“Today?” I gasped. “But the paperwork… a dress….” I trailed off.
“There’s no waiting period in Nevada. Paperwork’s filed and processed.” He stepped closer to me, his hands on my hips. “I don’t want to wait an hour longer than necessary to marry you, baby. Just us and the kids, like you said.”
“Can we even get an appointment this last-minute?” I asked, not wanting to get my hopes up before I knew. There was nothing I wanted more than to marry my man today.
He grinned at my obvious enthusiasm. “I’ll take care of that,” he replied easily. “Go out and get yourself a dress—I’d imagine Emmie will want one too.” He chuckled as we looked over to watch Emmie twirl in the living room in her ever present tutu. “Get the girls together,” he suggested.
“Yeah,” I breathed, overwhelmed with the turn of events. I’d thought we’d spend a normal day around the house.
I already knew exactly where I wanted to go.
“That one is perfect.” Scarlet grinned an hour later. I’d gathered the girls together at Piper’s boutique, knowing I’d find something perfect to wear and wanting to share my excitement with my best girls.
