Page 107 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

“Sounds good, but first—” He snatched the camera from her hand. “—I want a couple of pictures with you and the girls.” He held up his hand to ward off any arguments. “Do it for them.”

He wasn’t playing fair, and he didn’t care.

She hesitated and then relented.

Later, when the girls were napping and Remy was working, he scrolled through the photos. Despite himself, he grinned. A family. They were becoming a family.

Later that night, Remy offered to do baths—so he gladly took bedtime stories. The girls were so tired from the fresh air, he didn’t even get to finish the first story. He carried Mira from Calleigh’s bed, and she didn’t even stir. When he shut the bedroom door, peace enveloped his soul. They’d made it through another day.

At times, he acknowledged he had a lifetime stretched out before him, but that was rarely his thought process. He focused on a particular day and making it the best he could for his family.

Remy’s job, by its inherent nature, forced her to focus on the future. Upcoming depositions. Upcoming interviews. Upcoming trials. Today, however, she’d lived in the moment. Last night, she’d lived in the moment.

He needed to teach her how to do that more often.

The living room was empty so, figuring she’d gone to change, he made his way to the kitchen. Pouring two glasses of Diet Cokes, he headed back to the living room and stopped short. His wife stood in the doorway of their bedroom.

He nearly swallowed his tongue. She was backlit, wearing nothing but a bra, panties, and a big smile.

“I thought we could make it an early night.”

“Um, yeah, that would be okay.” Okay? Who was he kidding? His fingers itched to peel that frilly lavender lingerie from her delectable body. He’d seen her naked last night, but tonight, her boldness meant so much more.

Following her into the bedroom, however, he took a moment to put his libido in check. Just because last night’d been a success, didn’t make any guarantees about tonight. Although he was placing no expectations on tonight, clearly she was. That could be the quickest road to disaster.

When he arrived in the bedroom, his wife stood by the nightstand, watching him. Her hand was on her hip and she was trying for a come-hither expression—but he saw through the façade. Her nerves were stronger than his were. His immediate and instinctual response was to point out they didn’t need to do this.

No, not going there.

She was a grown woman, capable of making her own decisions. If he second-guessed her now, she might lose her nerve. If she lost her nerve, they might never get to this place again. He could handle this. He could guide her.

He’d done it last night, and he could do it again. He had to make sure that tonight wasn’t a repeat of their honeymoon. Placing the two glasses on the nightside table, he wiped his hands on his jeans. His palms were damp from more than just the cold drinks.

Chapter forty-two

Remy’snervousnessratcheteduptenfold. All day she’d been planning this seduction, but now she was having second thoughts. She could call the whole thing off—there’d be no recriminations. At least not on Rusty’s part. In her heart, though, she’d be chickening out. No, she wasn’t a coward.

Yet she knew nothing about seduction. She was out of her element. Put her in front of twelve strangers to plead a case and she didn’t break a sweat. This, however, was causing her palms to become clammy and her stomach to do back-flips. If she didn’t do something soon…

“I love that outfit.” His grin was wolfish. “Wedding present?”

On cue, her cheeks started getting hot. “Yes.”

“Well, I think Marnie and Olivia outdid themselves. That outfit is hot.”

The heat in his eyes wasn’t disconcerting. It empowered. It emboldened. She advanced toward him with as sexy a sashay as she could muster. She reached for the hem of his sweater, and he helped her tug it over his head. His T-shirt soon followed.

Explore.She placed her hands on his chest. Phew, he didn’t flinch from her cold fingers on his warm skin. His pecs were so nice and defined. She raked her nails along his abs, admiring his six-pack. Finally, she placed her lips against his nipple and gently nibbled.

Her reward? A sharp intake of breath. Should she ask him if he liked that? No, wait. Last night, he’d used her physical cues to guide him. What was it he’d said? To speak up if something didn’t feel good? He would. And if she faltered, he’d show her.

She twined her arms around his neck and pulled him toward her. Yes, he took the lead on this kiss. His hair felt like silk in her hands, and she liked how he pulled her closer to him, running his hands along her back. Ooh, and her breasts tingled as they pressed against his chest. Even better, his breathing was as ragged as hers.

What’s next?She flicked open the button on his jeans and lowered the zipper. With a bit of help from him, she guided his jeans down. He stepped out of them, and she took a good look—especially at his crotch.

Nice. His erection straining against his briefs was proof he liked what they were doing. Last night he’d held himself apart. Tonight, by the looks of things, he was all-in. And where she might have, on previous occasions, felt fear, tonight there was none. Curiosity? Yes. Fear? No.

Reaching behind her, she released the clasp of her bra. She rolled her shoulders forward, then as seductively as possible, let the bra fall to the floor. Without overthinking it, she eased her panties down.

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