Page 80 of Cutter's Hope

“Eden Lorraine Alexander, eight pounds thirteen ounces of adorable baby cuteness,” Li’l Bit was all glowing and excited for her friend and Red looked perfect, happy tears in mama’s eyes while a proud papa looked on.

“She got her dad’s black hair and her mom’s hazel eyes,” I said smiling.

“Mm! I think they’re already working on number two, Rev wants a little slugger. He’s dead set on Dante for the name.” Reaver grinned and leaned against the mast.

“She’s such a good baby, too! Let’s mom and dad sleep through the night for the most part,” Li’l Bit put her phone away.

“That won’t last,” Reaver said and laughed, “Connor did that too the first month or so then it was like someone flipped his switch.”

“You have a kid?” Hope asked, looking from one to the other of them.

“He does, I don’t,” Li’l Bit gave Reaver a charmed smile.

“Connor’s eleven, and if you’d hurry up and get knocked up we’d be good on that front,” he winked at his wife.

“You guys are trying? No shit?” I asked and felt delighted for them. Hope was stiff in my arms and I sensed a talk coming on about rug-rats in our future. I’d never really wanted them myself, something told me there was some emotional baggage there but it didn’t have to be dealt with tonight, she was under enough strain.

“Trying, yeah. Just started really, Doll insisted we talk to Connor first, she wanted to make sure my oldest boy was cool with a little brother or sister, didn’t want to just spring it on him.”

Hope’s tense posture softened a bit at my side. Ah, ha. Some more of the mysterious bits of my girl were unravelling. I kissed her temple and she softened a little more.

“It’s not that late, but it was a long ride and we were up early to make it, I don’t suppose you’d mind if we turned in, would you?” Lil’ Bit’s eyes sparkled with a mischievous light. She knew damned well what she was doing and I was glad for it. I smiled at her.

“Not at all, feel free to take my bunk, I wanted to stay up here with Hope if you don’t mind. Keep an eye on the house with her.”

“Naw, we get it, Man,” Reaver came forward and we clasped hands pulling each other in to tap shoulders before backing off.

“Good deal, man.”

“Good night, Hope,” Li’l Bit smiled at my girl and Hope nodded. She still looked uncertain and it wasn’t a good look for her. I liked it when she was on solid ground and I was pretty sure a good night’s sleep would get her on towards that.

She let out a breath once the hatch shut behind my two friends and her shoulders dropped marginally.

“Doin’ okay, Sweetheart?” I asked softly.

“God, could I look like any more of an asshole?” she groaned palming her face.

I laughed softly, “Probably, but Reave and Li’l Bit, they get it. What I wanna know is what brought on the sudden bout of insecurity from my girl who’s always so sure of herself?” I tugged her gently into my arms and she pointedly wouldn’t look at me, her eyes fixed on the darkened house in the distance.

“Maybe I’m not so sure, Cutter,” she swallowed hard.

“Well, if there’s one thing Ineedyou to be sure of, it’s that I’m not going anywhere.”

“Yeah, why is that?”

“Strip and I’ll show you,” I teased. Hope huffed a laugh and her smile made me smile.

“Truth, that’s why…” I murmured. Her brow wrinkled in confusion.

“What’s why?”

“You smile and I can’t help it, I have to smile too. Now, I was only half joking, I mean it. Get naked. Time for you to relax.”

“Make me,” she challenged, and I smiled again.

“That’s my girl.” I pulled her roughly against me and before she could skate back out of reach I gripped both sides of her short little black shirt dress and pulled, buttons pinging off the deck. Hope groaned and I let the material slide off her body. She wasn’t up for a fight, so she didn’t fight me, which was good.

I placed a palm in the center of her chest and pushed her down, my arm behind her back, lowering her gently to the wide hammock. I knelt between her thighs and had myself some dessert, licking her until she came apart something like twice. Until she gazed up at me, dark eyes hooded with desire and I could sink myself balls deep inside her. But I didn’t want that, no. I wanted her hot mouth on me. I wanted those lips wrapped around my cock while I pressed into the woman’s throat. I wanted it bad, like back in New Orleans.

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