Page 48 of Tru Blue
“You rock, man. Thanks.” It was hard to believe how much his life had changed over the past few days, but they were good changes. He was happier than he could ever remember being.
He sank down to the mattress beside Dixie, and Kennedy crawled to the middle of the bed and lay down.
“You’re doing a really good job with these little guys,” Dixie said, handing him Lincoln.
He cradled the baby in one arm, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “Thanks. I don’t want to screw them up, you know? They’re so little.”
“Truman, you couldn’t screw them up. You only know how to do right by people.” She put her arm around him and sighed. “Before we get into the nuances of sheet forts, which I happen to be very good at building, do you want to unload? To talk about Gemma or the kids?”
His smile came naturally. Just thinking about Gemma—or the kids—made him happy. “What’s there to say? One day I was surviving, and the next I was living. It’s chaotic with the schedules and never-ending caregiving from morning until night, but…”
“You’re giving them all the things you never had.”
“Yeah. I hope so. And Gemma? I don’t even know what to say, Dix. She’s…everything.”
“I assumed so, when I got your text.” She glanced at Kennedy, who was lying on her side almost asleep. “Want help putting the kids down? Then we can get to work. It’ll be years before I have kids, so this is fun for me.”
“Hey, you never know. Look at my life.”
His phone vibrated with a text, and he dug it out of his pocket, smiling when a picture of Gemma appeared on his screen. He’d taken it this morning in the parking lot before she went home. She had that dreamy look in her eyes she sometimes got. The one that made his heart turn over in his chest.
He clicked open and read the message. Running late. One of the kids puked all over. I probably can’t get there until closer to ten. Still want me to come by?
He typed a quick response as Dixie carried Lincoln to the bedroom. Definitely. Can’t wait to see you.
Her response came immediately. Whew. I was afraid I’d have Tru Blue withdrawals.
He lifted Kennedy into his arms, carried her to the bedroom, and grabbed her night-night storybook from the dresser, wondering what he’d done with his evenings before he’d found them—all three of them.
Chapter Fifteen
GEMMA CLUNG TO the railing as she ascended the steps to Truman’s apartment. She could barely lift her legs in her tight, short leather skirt and four-inch spike-heeled boots. She felt like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but tonight’s party had been all about rocker princesses. Nine thirteen-year-old girls dressing up in black velvet and leather dresses with strict orders from the birthday girl of no lace. They’d had a blast, temporarily dying their hair pink and purple, with gaudy makeup and appropriate attitudes to match.
The door to the deck slid open—and Gemma’s knees weakened at the sight of Truman, clean-shaven, wearing a white button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a pair of dark jeans, and his badass black boots.
“Holy cow.” She couldn’t take her eyes off of him or his wickedly seductive smile.
He slid a hand to her hip, his eyes taking their own slow stroll down Leather Lane. “Hi, sweetheart.”
Sweetheart. She trapped her lower lip between her teeth as he tugged her against him, causing her to stumble on her heels. She grabbed on to him to keep from falling. He smelled spicy and delicious, and she leaned in closer, filling her senses with his scent. A husky laugh rumbled up from his lungs, stealing more of her brain cells.
“My girl’s gone hot biker chick on me.” He nuzzled her neck. “Please tell me you didn’t let other guys see you in this, because if you did, their wives are in for a surprise tonight.”
Her body hummed with his praise. “I guess you like it?”
“I’d have to be gay not to, and even then, I have no doubt that you could turn me.” He lifted her chin and kissed her long and deep, making her already wobbly knees pure liquid. He tightened his hold on her, smiling into the kiss. “God, I love that.”
