Page 153 of If You Love Me

“I won’t be far. And who knows, I might get a chance to coach your brother.” Brody’s at Tilton University, just like Tally. He’s on a hockey scholarship and has had a great first season with the team.

“Yeah, it’ll be a busy summer for us. That’s for sure.” He claps Nate on the shoulder. “Good thing we’ve got Essie to help with all the planning, eh?”

He sips his beer. “She’s definitely highly invested in all things wedding related.”

“Only a few more months and you’ll be a married man.” Dallas sighs. “I have to wait a whole year.” Dallas and Hemi are planning a summer wedding at his parents’ place up in Huntsville next year.

Tristan smirks. “I’m pretty sure you’ll survive. Besides, you don’t want to share the spotlight with me and Rix.”

“That’s the damn truth.” Dallas clinks his bottle against Tristan’s, then turns to Hollis. “When are you joining the club?”

“Soon. Just waiting for the right time.”

“I’m perfectly happy over here in the single club.” Nate taps his bottle against Flip’s.

“One day that’ll change.” Flip takes a swig from his bottle.

“We’ll see.” Nate’s gaze shifts.

I follow it as Essie passes on the other side of the bar, heading for the bathroom.

I keep my mouth shut. But I’d bet it’s only a matter of time before those two stop dancing around each other.

We stay for one beer, then head down the street to the condo. Fee can certainly stay with Callie on her own, but I feel best when all my girls are safe with me. I wait until we’re alone in the elevator before I curve my palm around the back of Lexi’s neck and pull her close.

She tips her head up, expression quizzical. “What’s this look?”

“I want a family with you.”

“You have a family with me. It’s blended and atypical, but it’s a family. You and all your girls.” She smooths the lapels of my suit jacket.

“I want a baby with you.”

Her eyes flare. “You want to knock me up?”

“Yeah.” I can see it already—Lexi’s rounded belly. “I want you to be the mother of our child. I want to do this with you. I want middle-of-the-night feedings, and first steps, and first words with you. I want all the experiences I never had. And I want to watch you be an inspiring, badass mom to our baby.”

“Honestly?” Her expression softens, and she links her fingers behind my neck. “I want that, too.”

“Yeah?” A smile spreads across my face.

Her eyes heat. “The image I have of you holding a baby, our baby, is…” She practically purrs. “Yes, please.”

The elevator doors slide open, and I let us into the penthouse. Both girls are already asleep, but Lexi and I kiss Callie good night anyway before we disappear into our bedroom. As soon as I lock the door, we’re frantic hands and hungry mouths, peeling each other out of our clothes and kissing exposed skin.

We barely make it to the bed before she’s pulling me on top of her. My cock slides over her clit, and she moans wantonly. “You’re already wet and ready for me.”

“I wasn’t lying when I said the idea of you holding our baby does it for me.”

I reach between us and drag the head past her clit, nudging her entrance, eyes on hers.

“I need you in me,” she whispers.

I push inside and we both make matching, relieved sounds. I’ll never get enough of her, of her softness, of the way we fit together. Of how good it feels to be connected to her like this, surrounded, submerged, complete.

I frame her face in my palms and slow things down now that I’m exactly where I want to be. Lexi wraps herself around me and we move together, making love. The orgasm rolls in, slow and gentle, dragging us both under at the same time. Perfectly in sync.

She’s my heart and my home. My wife.

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