Page 24 of Six of Hearts
She turned, smiling. "He's very cute. He doesn't look much like you. Does he take after his mother?”
The question landed like a stone in my chest. I wasn't ready to answer that. "Are you saying I'm not cute?" I deflected.
Her cheeks flushed. "N-no! You're very cute. Uh, I mean…" She laughed, shaking her head. "Well played."
I moved closer, letting the moment settle before shifting gears. "I wanted to talk to you about what the guys and I discussed. Liam told us what happened—that he explained our arrangement."
"He did," she confirmed.
"And that you'd be willing." I stopped a few feet away, close enough to catch the faint scent of her perfume—something light and floral that made me want to lean in.
She nodded. "I would be. I obviously find you all very attractive."
I took another step, closing the distance until I could see the flecks of colour in her eyes.
"We all feel the same way. But I want you to know—this isn't just about sex for us. We appreciate what you do for our children. We want to treat you with the respect you deserve. We're not going to ask you to do anything you're not ready for. We move at your pace.”
"I don't think I've ever had a boyfriend who's done that," she said softly.
"So you're already ahead.”
"And you're absolutely sure you want this?" I asked, needing to hear it again. "It usually takes more convincing."
"I've always been forward-thinking," she said. "I have a friend, Sadie, who has five partners of her own. Her sister has four. Several people in my circle find polyamory perfectly normal and healthy."
"That's because it is," I agreed. Relief and something warmer flooded through me.
"So you're really in?”
She stepped closer, her eyes bright with something that looked like desire mixed with affection.
"I am. I've come to know and care for all your kids. Why shouldn't I take care of the dads too?"
She was perfect. Too perfect. And I felt that old protective instinct rise up—the need to shield her, to make sure she was safe and happy. I saw so much of Eva in her, but I also saw Aria. Her own person. Her own light.
And God help me, I wanted her.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and guided her back against the wall beside the fireplace. Her arms came up around my neck, pulling me close, and I didn't resist anymore. I kissedher, slow and deep, pouring everything I couldn't say into the press of my lips against hers.
My body ached with want. I squeezed her hips, pressing my knee between her thighs, and she responded immediately—grinding against me, letting out soft breaths that drove me wild.
But then she pulled back, her hand on my chest.
"Why?" I asked, my voice rough.
She smiled. "Finn."
She kissed me once more, quick and sweet, then slipped past me. I followed her down the hall to the living room, where we found Finn passed out in his chair, head tilted back, mouth slightly open.
She tiptoed in, moved his table aside, and lifted him into her arms with practised ease. For a moment, I saw Eva—the ghost of her doing the same thing years ago. But then the image shifted, and it was just Aria, caring for my son with such tenderness that my throat tightened.
She was helping me heal. Helping us both heal.
She carried Finn to his bedroom, tucked him in, and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. He settled immediately, sinking into sleep faster than usual.
The moment we were out of his room, I was on her. My hands slid into her hair, my mouth finding hers with desperate need. We moved down the hallway like a storm, barely making it to my bedroom before I was lowering her onto the bed.
I kept my lips on hers, only breaking away long enough for her to pull my shirt over my head. I tugged at her lower lip with my teeth, loving the way she moaned and arched into me.
