Page 22 of A Layperry's Hope
I feel claimed. I feel owned. I am Christian’s and I hope with all my heart that he is mine as well. He wraps his arms around me, holding me tight. This is what I have been dreaming of for years and to finally have it leaves me breathless.
This is so much better than the first time because I know he will be here in the morning. No more running. No more guessing. No more hoping because Iknow.
It’s Christian who moves first, pulling his cock free from my ass. I wince at the feeling.
“I’ll be right back,” Christian murmurs, kissing my head before he goes to the bathroom. He returns with a cloth, using it to wipe my body clean.
I do not remember a time I have been cared for with such gentleness. My chest aches with how much I adore this man. I care for him more than I thought possible.
Once I am clean, Christian carefully rolls Maribel back into the room with us. Then he blows out all the candles before getting into bed beside me. I lie my head against his chest, listening to his heart beat beneath my ear. His arm wraps around me, holding me tight.
“That was everything I hoped it would be and somehow so much more,” Christian whispers into the dark. “You are everything I hoped you would be. I wish it hadn’t taken me this long to get out of my own way.”
I squeeze around Christian’s middle. “Do not trouble yourself with that. The only thing that matters is that we’re here now. We’re together. We are going to plan a future together with Maribel. That’s what matters, Christian.”
Christian makes a playful little growling noise. “Hate it when you’re right. Pisses me right off.”
“Yes,” I say with a chuckle. “I do remember how much you hate that and how many arguments we had.”
“Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up, asshole.”
I really shouldn’t find that nickname so affectionate but it’s the way he says it that makes my heart melt. I carefully nod my head. “Your asshole.”
I can feel Christian cringe and I can’t stop grinning. “I hate that. Never again. Putting the ‘your’ in front of it made it so much worse.”
We’re careful to keep our giggling as quiet as possible, not wanting to wake up Maribel. I lean up on my elbow just enough to get my mouth on Christian. We trade barely there, soft kisses until I have to break apart in order to yawn.
“Get some sleep,” Christian whispers, tucking some of my hair behind my ear. “I promise I’ll be here in the morning.”
“You better be or I’ll kick your ass.”
Christian snorts so loud that Maribel startles. We both freeze, waiting. Thankfully she just turns her head and continues to sleep.
“You dick,” Christian whispers against my hair. “You almost made me wake her up.”
“I was just using your own phrase! I cannot be blamed!”
The two of us continue whispering into the night until we can barely keep our eyes open anymore. It’s the most wonderful night I’ve had in a really, really long time.
Chapter Ten
Christian
“Okay, Maribel,” I whisper into my daughter’s hair as I walk across the street to Miles’ house. “We’re gonna go on a nice long walk with your uncle and cousin. Then we’re gonna go see your daddy.”
Maribel makes the most adorable noise that almost sounds like a giggle or a coo. My heart feels like it might literally burst out of my chest. I’ve only known her for a month but I’m already so deeply in love with her. I didn’t even know I was capable of feelings like this, but here I am, being the best dad I know how to be.
I might have had the most rotten examples of parents but thankfully, I’m surrounded by amazing parents now that I can lean on and learn from. One of those parents happens to be leaving his house right now.
“Come on, Druim. Do you wanna walk or should I carry you?”
Druim holds up his hands. “Shoulders.”
Miles grins as he grabs Druim under his arms and hauls him up onto his shoulders. Then Miles turns towards me. “Ready to go?”
“Timalah’s not coming?”
“He’s already there. I think he was planning on going for a long walk with Ghenie to talk everything through before the town meeting.”
