Page 146 of With A Little Luck
Trigg has to leave to handle…something.
I’m not sure I want the details about what it is he has to do, so I don’t ask.
Even when I spot the weird metal briefcase he’s toting toward the door, I still don’t want to know. He seems annoyed that Ridge won’t be going with him, but Trigg is always hard to get a read on, so maybe I’m just misinterpreting his focused expression.
I linger near the archway that leads from the entryway into the living room as I prepare to say my goodbyes to Trigg.
Hartley has something set up all over the living room, but I want to give that my full attention when I finally get to see what it is. Since Trigg is leaving, I figured I should address this first so my brain doesn’t obsess while he’s gone.
“Were you planning to give me a goodbye kiss?” I ask, poking out my lower lip as he reaches for the door handle.
Trigg freezes, and it’s easy to see how tense his muscles are. He sets the case down by his feet and spins around. His jaw is tight, and there’s something intense about his eyes that makes me lean even farther into the wall.
Yeah, there’s no doubt about it.
Trigg is a natural predator.
My instincts can sense it.
It’s a strange feeling because I’m not afraid of him per se, but I still have the urge to run as he appraises me.
“I apologize,” he says, his face twisting into a predatory smile that makes goose bumps break out down my arms. “Of course I want a goodbye kiss. I got too focused on what would be expected of me.” He comes to a stop and brushes his hand over my stomach while the other moves to cradle my cheek. “Make sure you eat something nutritious for lunch. I’ll do my best to be home before it gets dark.” With that, he dips his mouth to mine for a quick but tantalizing kiss. “And when I get back, you’re finally going to open one of my courting gifts.”
“I can’t wait,” I say, struggling to catch my breath. “Please be safe.”
I make my way into the living room and approach Hartley. He’s got stickers everywhere, open glue sticks, and scraps of paper littering the table.
A silly smile crosses my face that I can’t help. “You look like you’ve been to war with the craft supplies,” I say, laughing.
“Yeah, I’m just not sure if I won or lost.” Hart snags my wrist, pulling me toward him.
I almost think he wants me to sit on his lap, facing the table, but he directs me to kneel with my face toward him. The baby, who really needs a name, is busy wiggling around, and with my stomach resting against Hartley’s abs, I’m not shocked when he can feel it.
“Jesus, that’s crazy.” He smiles and works a hand between us to chase the movements. “I love being able to feel her moving.” He’s so damn handsome with his eyes sparkling, and his blond waves falling over his forehead.
“Me too,” I agree, keeping my voice low, just in case Ridge did manage to fall asleep.
“My gift isn’t as fancy as what Ridge or Trigg got you,” Hart says, chasing the baby as she stretches or rolls.
“I’ll love it just as much,” I assure him.
And it’s true.
Hartley is the kind of guy who puts in time over lavish gifts. He’s the one who stood around talking to me about the future when the restaurant was slow. He helped Ridge build all the furniture, and if I’m not mistaken, he made a memory book for the baby.
Even before I knew he was interested in me, I used to muse about what an amazing husband that he would be to some luckywoman someday. I just never imagined that woman would be me.
You don’t drop your life to move states away to help out your brother with his business unless you’re the kind of person who puts family first.
I’ve had a hell of a crush on him for ages, but I’m pretty sure the light fluttering in my stomach that comes any time he smiles at me is proof that I’m falling in love with him.
And I think now more than ever, he needs to hear that.
“I understand how important courting gifts are between alphas and omegas, but I already know I’ll love your gifts no matter what they are because you’re the type of person who puts thought into everything you do.” I wrap my fingers around his jaw, brushing them through his fluffy beard as I tilt his face down to mine. “Presents are nice, but you’re the prize I’ve got my eye on.” Okay, that was cheesy. It’s how I feel, though. I smile, stretching up on my knees until I can reach his mouth. “You’re brave and loyal and so damn handsome it makes my brain melt. I love you, Hartley. I started falling for you when I thought we were just friends, and it’s so much more now?—”
A low growl rattles out of his chest, and he shoves his lips to mine. Pulling his hand from between us, he relocates it to wrap it in my hair. The way he holds me in place and sucks on my bottom lip sends a pulse through the bond that settles directly in my nipples and clit. My new claiming bite is tender, but I find it fascinating that any of them can send such a reaction through the link.
My head gets hazy as our kiss goes on and on until I find myself grinding over his lap.
