“Yeah, well, you think words are hollow.I was trying to prove it with my actions.”
“What actions?”I demanded.
“Showing up for you, Wyn.No matter what you want to throw at me, I’ll still be here.”
The heavy thud of my heart beat against my ribs.“I know what the present looks like.But what about later ...when things are calmer and Lenni’s in a routine and ...”
He placed his hand on my lower belly, holding it almost possessively.“We’re going to get married, Wyn.And when you’re ready for a baby, I’ll give you one.”
His thumb caressed my hip bone.
“How many babies do you want?”I asked, breathless.
“As many as you’ll give me,” he whispered.“And every Sunday morning, I’ll make us waffles.And every Sunday night, we’ll have a movie marathon.We’ll pile in the living room and have popcorn fights.And then we’ll put the kids to bed, and then you and I will sit on the couch and talk about how beautiful our life is and we’ll wonder how we ever got so lucky.”
My breath wobbled.“This house is a little small for a band of children.”
“We won’t live here forever.I’ll build you a house with a sewing room and a sunroom off the master bedroom so you can sit and have your coffee in the morning light.Whatever you want, Wyn, I’ll do it for you.Because I just want to make you happy.You’ve made me so damn happy I didn’t think it was possible.”
“You should have a guys’ night more often,” I murmured.“I like how honest it’s made you.”
“Still think I’m full of shit?”he asked.
“No.”
His hand slipped lower into my pajama pants and rested at the heat of me.“I’ve had my insane years.My dangerous years.I’m not even sure how I’m still alive.I’m only thirty years old, Wyn, but I’ve alreadyreallylived.Are you sure you’re not gonna wake up one day and regret that you settled down so young?”
“Who’s settling?”I shifted my body to give him silent permission to keep touching me.“I’ve done the New York thing.I’ve done the going out to bars and clubs thing.”
He made a noise of annoyance, which only caused me to smile.
“I’ve traveled.I’ve lived, too.But I want something else now.I was envious ...of my friends.They fell in love.They’re having babies.They got the dream.They got what I’ve always wanted and I ...I was scared it wasn’t in the cards for me.Sounds silly, giving up on love at twenty-three.But God, I was so disillusioned.”
He paused.“Does that mean—do you want a baby sooner rather than later?”
I chuckled.“No.I’m perfectly content for the time being.This is enough.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“But you’ll tell me, right?When you’re ready?”
“I’ll tell you,” I promised.“I’m not ready for a baby, Archer.”
“Okay.”
“But I am ready to practice making one.”
He chuckled against my skin as his fingers slowly started to move between my legs.
“I wonder how many gold stars I can get,” he whispered just before his lips covered mine.
The sound of a cabinet opening in the kitchen forced my eyes open.I was in Archer’s bed, and he was curled up behind me, his morning erection pressing against my back.
I wiggled against him and his arms tightened around me.
“Hmm,” he hummed against my ear.
