Page 67 of Silver Fox's Secret Triplets
"Are not. They purr."
"Do you guys argue this much all the time?" Duncan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," Elena replied matter-of-factly.
He laughed then, really laughed, and the kids looked pleased with themselves. "I’ll keep that in mind."
"And we’ll keep you company," Sammy added, nodding solemnly.
Duncan’s voice went softer. "I’d like that very much."
By eight o'clock, the triplets were rubbing their eyes and growing cranky. I shepherded them through baths and bedtime stories, tucking them into their new beds with familiar blankets and stuffed animals. Elena fell asleep first, followed by Sammy. Chrissy fought it longer, but eventually her breathing evened out.
I found Duncan on the back patio, sitting in one of the wicker chairs with a glass of whiskey in his hand. The sky had darkened to deep purple, and landscape lights illuminated the garden beyond the deck.
"Thank you," I said, settling into the chair beside him. "For all of this."
He turned to look at me, his eyes reflecting the soft glow of the patio lights. "Come here."
I moved toward his chair, and he pulled me into his lap, arranging me so I was facing him. His hands settled on my waist, thumbs tracing small circles on the fabric of my shirt.
"You really have your life together," I said, glancing around the patio, the tasteful lighting, the well-tended garden. "Bighouse, the cushy job, a great future ahead of you… I don’t get it. Why aren’t you married?"
Duncan exhaled through his nose, one hand tightening on my waist. "That’s… a long story." He took a sip of whiskey, then set the glass aside. "After the scandal, after everything fell apart, I thought I was done with relationships. Then I met someone at work. A partner. We were careful, kept it professional during the day, but after hours…" He shrugged. "I thought it was real. I thought she cared about me the way I cared about her."
I waited, sensing there was more.
"She used me. Got close to learn company secrets, used our relationship to position herself for a promotion. When I found out, it nearly destroyed me. Not the business part—the personal part. I'd let myself believe that someone could want me for who I was, not what I could give them."
"Duncan—"
"I've been afraid ever since. Afraid to trust anyone, afraid to let anyone close. Then when we had that fling… four years ago, I told myself it was for the best. That I'd dodged another bullet." He cupped my face in his hands. "But I was wrong. I was a coward."
"You're not a coward."
"I felt like it was just a mistake because of the promise I made your father. I was on the rebound after Meranda and you were so insistent." His eyes sparkled with emotion and I felt it pull at my heartstrings.
I leaned into his touch, my heart breaking for the pain in his voice. "We both made mistakes."
"I don't want to make them anymore."
He kissed me then, soft and tentative at first, then deeper as I responded. His hands moved to my hair, fingers threading through the strands as he pulled me closer. The kiss tasted of whiskey and regret and hope all mixed together. The memory ofour one night together, so many years ago, flooded back to me in a wave of heat. I couldn't help but moan into his mouth as my hands trailed down the hard lines of his chest, feeling the heat radiating from his body.
Duncan's response was immediate and electric. His grip on my hair tightened, angling my head back to deepen the kiss further. His other hand slid down my back, settling on my hip, and with a growl, he pulled me harder against him. I could feel every inch of his arousal pressing against my thigh, and I knew we couldn't do this outside.
Pushing away, I stood up and took his hand. He looked up at me with hesitation but I smirked at him and said, “What? You’re shy now? We have triplets, and you told my dad about us. I think we’ve crossed that line, Mr. Duncan.” I winked at him and he rose him with a half grin and a look of hunger.
“Then why are you keeping me waiting?” Duncan’s hands were on me again, and his heated palms found my skin as we struggled through the back door, baby monitor in hand. We barely made it to the couch before he was undressing me.
I moaned as Duncan's lips trailed down my neck, his hands roaming over my body, unfastening my blouse. He kissed his way down my collarbone, and I arched my back, giving him better access. His hands found my breasts, cupping them through my bra, and I couldn't help but gasp at the contact.
My own hands were not idle either. I fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, eager to feel his bare skin against mine. Finally, I managed to undo the last button, and I pushed the fabric off his shoulders and pressed hot kisses to his chest. My hands found his belt and began working, and he tangled his hands in my hair again.
As Duncan's lips continued their downward path, I felt a shiver of anticipation zip through me. His hands left my breasts, and I whimpered in protest, but he only smiled against my skinand hooked his fingers into my leggings. Slowly, he eased them down my legs, along with my panties, leaving me naked and exposed to his hungry gaze. The room was dimly lit, but I could still see the desire burning in his eyes as he took me in.
Duncan's heated gaze lingered on me, as if he were memorizing my every curve. Slowly, he sank to his knees in front of me, leaving a trail of kisses down my stomach. I gasped as his tongue flickered against my thighs, teasing me mercilessly. He looked up at me through hooded lids, and I knew he was enjoying my agony. I threaded my fingers through his hair, tugging gently, unable to control the moans that escaped my lips.
"Duncan," I breathed, arching my back. "Oh God…" He chuckled softly, and the vibration made me shiver.
