Page 125 of Holiday Hostage
Family. Holy shit.
Reed, Mav, and I considered each other family.
We were closer than brothers, and I’d fallen in love with Payton.
Having families of our own was something we’d talked about through the years.
Late at night when we werewaiting for a mission.
Sitting around the living room with no one to share our lives.
We’d often discussed our ideas about family and what we hoped for our futures.
Payton stepped into my embrace, and I rocked us side to side. “We’re in.” I spoke for all of us, because there was no way in hellReed or Mav would ever be able to walk away from Payton or our child.
Her body fit perfectly against mine.
I’d have to let Reed and Mav close soon, but I had a few seconds to myself, and I reveled in them.
There might be days when Payton wanted to spend time exclusively with one of us at a time.
When—if—that time came, we’d all be cool with it.
That was not today.
This relationship was not based on exclusivity but on being a close-knit unit that stuck together. “
We want to be part of the baby’s life. And yours. For as long as you will have us.”
I hoped she’d say she wanted us forever.
The way she bloomed with a smile gave me hope for a phenomenal future.
“Having a child with you is a dream come true.” I tucked her hair behind her ears and kissed her.
She melted into me with that languidness that meant she’d become completely comfortable.
The kiss deepened, and even though we’d just had one of the most intense sessions yet, my cock tensed and swelled in preparation for more.
If Payton wanted us. It was always, always her choice, with her pleasure taking precedence over ours.
I’d do anything, give anything, to make her happy.
36
MAVERICK
I’d been in love with Payton for weeks.
I should have told her a long time ago, but saying it had not felt right when we were constantly in the middle of danger.
Even during our time at the cabin, we were one breath away from death.
It might have been kinder for her to know, but considering how she’d thought we were dead, I was glad she didn’t yet know the depth of my feelings.
My only regret was that she thought we would be upset at finding out she was pregnant.
No way in hell.
