Page 178 of Push

Toby laughed, but it was a sad sound. “So much damn drama.” His hand reached out to stroke my cheek. “We’re going to make it, aren’t we, Gwen?”

I turned my head just enough for my lips to land on his wrist. “Yeah, Tobes. We’re going to make it.”

54

She Endured His Mother

Gwen

The Sydney Opera Housedisappeared as the ferry crossed the harbor. Toby held me steady, shielding a way through the tourists snapping photos so I could grab the last free seat, park the stroller, and wrestle a pom-pom beanie on Noah’s head.

I sighed. “Look at that.” My eyes searched the blue skies and sunshine soaking the city, the wind whipping across my cheeks. “Beautiful.”

Toby paid no attention to the skyscrapers towering over the harbor. “Yeah.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. A kiss pressed into my temple.“Beautiful.”

“Toby.” I swatted his knee.

“Yes…” He lowered his voice for my ears only.“Gwendolyn?”

“Stop that,” I hissed.

Isaidstop, but I also gave him a smirk and burrowed my head into his chest. His grip tightened, his eyes sparking with interest whenever I played the coy damsel to be ravaged.

“Stop?” He tickled kisses up my neck. “That’s not what you said last night. Or…this morning…”

The memory of his eager mouth devouring me made me squeeze my thighs together. He had been veryenthusiasticbefore breakfast. “That’s, um… That’s…” My cheeks flamed.

“Perfect? Amazing? You can whisper a thank you if you want. An orgasm before pancakes is worthy of a kiss.” He tapped his cheek. “Lay one on me, doll.”

I glared at him for about a second, then laughed and kissed his cheek. My heart soared. Last night had been a turning point for us. Our reconnection. Toby had needed me to take the first step. He always joked around, but his confidence had been shattered from months of rejection. I took the lead first. He took over. And now, we had the blissful memories of one of the best nights—and mornings—of our lives.

I murmured an “I love you” and snuggled so close I was almost in his lap. More kisses dotted up my neck.

“Toby!” I smacked a playful hand on his chest. “What if someone sees?”

“Sees what, exactly?” he murmured. “That I adore my wife? Let ’em look.”

My eyebrow arched. We both knew at least one person would be looking because a shadow had fallen over the stroller when we’d boarded the ferry, and it hadn’t budged since. I glanced at Romeo. When was Liam going to tell him to stop following us? I didn’t need protection. I was a suburban mum with a big, burly husband. The whole situation was ridiculous.

“Did you get in touch with Tanya?” I asked.

“Yep. She’s driving up from Canberra tomorrow morning.” He frowned. “I can’t wait for that bomb to drop. Mother dearest will be giddy with excitement to see us all for lunch…Not.”

We drifted around the zoo for a couple of hours, hand-in-hand, exchanging shy smiles and sneaking kisses. Romeo was always a few steps behind.

Toby floated beside me, as giddy as a teenager on a first date, grinning like he couldn’t believe his luck. Noah charmed everyone with his big smiles and sweet coos. We bought ice cream. I handed one to a stunned Romeo, who drawled a “thank you” before dragging his tongue along it, to the absolute delight of the group of women passing by. We took photos. We laughed when Noah tried to kiss—or maybe eat—the buttery fluff of a tiny chick I held out to him at the petting zoo.

At one point, as the spider monkeys leaped and chased each other through the trees, Toby came up behind me. He slipped his arms around my waist and pulled me close, his lips brushing the crook of my neck.

“Are you ready to go to the police about the clinic books this afternoon?” I asked softly.

“Born ready.”

“What about seeing your mum tomorrow?”

“Nope. Dreading that. But if you’re there…”

“Mmm?”

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