“What do you mean?”
“The bike ride and finally telling the guys we’re together.” She placed her hand on her hip. “You working your way through some kind of checklist or something?”
“Maybe.” I placed my hands on her hips and pulled her to me. “I didn’t want you to have any more excuses about why you shouldn’t move in.”
“I see.” She raked her teeth across her bottom lip. “And what else is on this checklist of yours?”
“Well, let me think.” I lowered my mouth to her shoulder and started trailing kisses along the curve of her neck. “As far as I can remember, there’s only one thing left.”
“Cat?”
“Mm-hmm,” I mumbled against her soft flesh. “You make sure things are good with her, and then we can take it from there.”
“I already talked to her.”
I stepped back with surprise and asked, “You did?”
“Mm-hmm.” A bright smile crossed her beautiful face. “I talked to her the other night after the skating party.”
“And?”
“She was a little hesitant at first, but once we discussed it, she came around. Now, I think she’s actually kind of excited about the idea.”
“No shit?”
“Yep, she’s all good, so I guess that’s that. We’re moving in.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, I leaned down and lifted her into my arms. I carried her into my bedroom, then playfully tossed her onto the bed. She immediately sprawled out across the comforter, letting her hands roam over the fabric.
I watched with satisfaction as a smile snuck across her beautiful face. She looked up at me excitedly and said, “Ahh … I like.”
I lowered myself onto the bed and hovered over. “I’m glad you approve.”
Before she could say anything more, I dropped my mouth to hers, kissing her long and hard. Her mouth was warm and wet as I delved deeper, relishing the feeling of having her so close.
I’d never known it was possible to feel such a connection with another person, but I felt it with Rebecca. Having her there with me was like some kind of dream, and with every breath, every touch, I was falling deeper.
The cool touch of her fingertips caught my breath as her hands slid beneath my t-shirt. She clawed at the material, yanking it over my head and throwing it onto the bedside table, then her fingers traced the lines of my ink while her eyes roamed over my bare chest.
I gazed down at her, and seeing the lust that filled her eyes, urged me on as my hands dropped to her waist.
Impatient to have her, I tugged at the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. After tossing it to the foot of the bed, I turned my focus to her jeans.
Moments later, she was lying before me, wearing only a pair of black lacy panties and a smile.
She was so damned perfect.
And she was mine—forever mine.
EPILOGUE
TWO YEARS LATER
“It’s time.”
“What do you mean it’s time?” Thatch asked with a panicked expression.
I ran my hand over my enormously pregnant belly. “It’s time.”
“Oh, shit.” He jumped up out of his recliner and started flying up the stairs. “What do we need?”
Thatch and I hadn’t really talked about having more kids. We were both very content with the way things were, but discovering we were having a son thrilled us both. He was looking down at me from the railing as I pointed over to the corner. “My bag is down here in the closet.”
“Oh shit, I forgot.”
I couldn’t help but smile as I watched my adorable husband dart back down the steps and rush over to the closet. The man looked like he was on the verge of hysteria as he grabbed my overnight bag and asked, “Is this everything?”
“Yes, babe. That’s everything. I packed it weeks ago.”
“Are you sure?” He brought it over to me. “Did you get something for him to wear home?”
“Yes. You helped me pick it out, remember?”
“What about diapers?”
“I got those, too.”
“Okay, what else do we need?”
“Just Cat and the keys.”
“Got it.” He rushed over to the end of the stairs and shouted, “Hey, Cat! We gotta go!”
“Go where?”
“The hospital! Your mom’s having the baby!” He slapped his hand against his thigh. “Let’s move it. We gotta go!”
“She’s having the baby?” Cat asked as she rushed down the stairs. “Like right now?”
“Well, not right at this very moment.” My two favorite people in the world had lost their ever-loving minds. It was as if they never realized this day would come and were completely freaked out that I was in labor. I tried my best to remain calm as I told Cat, “My water broke, so we need to get to the hospital.”
“Awesome,” Cat replied excitedly. “Jared is finally coming.”
“Yes, he is.” I turned my attention back to Thatch as I reminded him, “The keys, sweetheart.”
“Oh yeah.” He rushed over and grabbed a set of keys from the table, then back over to me. “Okay, let’s go.”