Page 7 of Turtle Dove

She shifts around from knee to knee, giving herself space to remove her panties as I tug my sweats down, allowing my cock to spring free.

She positions herself over and slides down, taking me deep into her body until she’s fully seated, wrapped around me. Nose to nose. Eye to eye.

Her chest is already heaving when she licks her lips then kisses me. She doesn’t move yet though. She just relishes in the fullness, the feeling of us connected as one—like we were destined to be.

“I love our family, Gray.” She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me closer, rocking her hips ever so slightly. “I love you. I love our life.” I can feel the cold metal of her engagement ring on my heated skin when she holds on tighter, rolling her hips harder. “I fucking love you, Gray.”

I show her how much I love her, too... over and over and over.

***

Mills is fast asleep when I slip from bed a few hours later. My feet connect with the cold floor, and I quietly tiptoe from the room to check on Cadence.

The light from the Christmas decorations on the outside of the house shine into the windows, illuminating my way to her room.

I peek in the door and see her curled in a little ball; clutching her stuffed giraffe she calls Tiny. I smile. I can’t help it. Even as she gets bigger, I still see the little bundle of pink blankets I held in my arms. I fell in love with her instantly, and she was my one and only concern when her mother finally decided she didn’t want a family anymore. Her happiness became my only concern from that day forward.

I hope the idea Mills discussed with me works the way she intends it to. I refuse to let Cadence have the magic ruined for her at five-years-old. She needs the happiness, the excitement, and the joy.

Hope? Who am I kidding? Mills is too stubborn to let Operation Santa Claus be anything but a great success.

Cadence and I are both lucky to have her in our lives.

Chapter 4

Amelia

Pushing the cart through the grocery store the weekend before Christmas is a feat in and of itself. Everyone is picking up the last minute odds and ends they need for their meals.

I know some people are stressed by this time of year, but honestly, it’s when I thrive. I love the energy of the holidays.

My best friend, however, is quite the opposite.

“For fuck sake. Does anyone know the meaning of manners in this place?” She huddles closer to me as we have to navigate a particularly tight aisle.

“They are just here getting things like we are. It’s all about kindness and patience.”

“I have both of those things. I just don’t handle complete lack of forethought well.” She grabs some of her favorite mint cookies and tosses them into the cart.

“How’s everything been with you? I feel like we never get to hang out anymore,” I say, tossing in some cookies of my own.

“I know. I just work all the time now. We are a few nurses down in the office, so I’ve had to pick up the slack a little. By the time I’m home, I’m crashing.”

“But are you happy? I know moving here wasn’t something you ever saw for yourself in the grand scheme until Case… but do you regret it?”

“I miss my brother, a lot, and I miss some of my friends in California, but no I really don’t regret it. This feels like home.”

“Is Falcon planning a visit any time soon? I do miss that jerk,” I add, and she huffs in response.

“He has you calling him Falcon too? Marco. Just call him Marco. You’re family, not the media.”

“It’s easier than having him correct me every time I say it.”

“He’s ridiculous. He’s lucky I love him.” She grins. “And he said he wants to come visit next year sometime. His schedule is pretty packed, so I guess we’ll see.”

“He’s doing really well. I try to watch his fights when I can.” I inspect the different packages of prime rib before selecting the one I want.

“I watch every single one, whether live or a replay, even though it makes me an absolute nervous wreck.”

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