Page 65 of Gatling
“Just try. For me.”
He sighed.
“You know damn well I can’t say no to you.”
I grinned and bundled Benji into Ryker’s waiting arms. He sat there, stiff as a board, barely breathing.
“Support his head,” I whispered, guiding Ryker’s palm to cup Benji’s head.
Ryker swallowed hard, fighting to control the slightest tremor in his hands.
“See?" I said. "You're a natural."
He said nothing for several minutes. Drinking in the sight of sleeping Benji. Studying his little fingers and toes. Caressing his wispy hair.
Ryker was good at that—watching, observing. Paying attention. He noticed details that no one else did. I suppose it stemmed from his hunting days, then further ingrained into him during his service in the military.
But I could see how that quiet observation was simply a part of him too. Underneath so many years of survival, this man was surprisingly soft, gentle, patient.
“Well,” I said. “It looks like I better brace myself.”
Ryker tore his gaze away from Benji, shifting his attention to me.
“Brace yourself? For what?”
“I’ll have to be the one who lays down the law around here. When our baby girl arrives, you’re going to be an absolute sap who caves to her every whim. I can tell.”
Ryker chuckled.
“I can be a tough nut to crack.”
“Whatever you say, dear,” I replied, laughing.
The party lasted late into the night, with a bonfire in the backyard. Swapping stories. Polishing off the last few pieces of pie. So many containers of barbecue were stuffed into our freezer that we wouldn’t need to bother with groceries for a few weeks.
I dozed on Ryker’s shoulder. He rested his hand on my thigh, innocently at first. Then he inched the hem of my sundress up, searching for warm, smooth skin. When he found it, he swept his thumb back and forth along the inside of my knee.
I wished this night could go on and on without end. It felt so good to be surrounded by the chatter of a big, happy family. I couldn’t wait for my little girl to meet them some day very soon.
“All right,” Ryker finally declared. “You fuckers have to get out of my house. I want to take my wife to bed, and I’m not doing that with you hanging around.”
Big G wadded up a napkin and lobbed it at Ryker’s head with a laugh.
“You’re supposed topolitelyannounce that the party is over, you feral asshole.”
Ryker swatted the napkin aside.
"Can't teach an old dog new tricks. You should know that better than anyone. I'm surprised your bones haven't turned to dust after being alive for half a century."
“Bastard,” Big G grumbled, amused. “You're not that far behind me."
He delivered a playful punch to Ryker’s shoulder as he passed.
“Play nice, gentlemen,” I chided lightly. “My future husband—if he ever pops the question—will not miss the birth of our child because you two are squabbling.”
"You better quit stalling and hurry up, brother," Big G said. "Put a ring on that sweet girl’s finger.”
I turned triumphantly to Ryker.
