Charlie winced. “Did Salem keep you up?”
No, but thoughts about your brother and vigorous masturbating did. In fact, I might’ve scarred your son.
“A bit, but it wasn’t too bad. Normal kitty zoomies two hours before my alarm went off.” I hoped Salem couldn’t hear me throwing him under the bus.
Charlie smile-grimaced. “That’s the worst timing!”
After breakfast, he went to do his job, and I started on mine.
Like always, I had my music on, bopping along to it as I went room by room. By the time I got to the end of the backside of the hotel and ducked into the room there, I was shimmying my hips along toW.I.T.C.Hby Devon Cole, I was deep into my zone. I even hummed along with the funny, empowering lyrics.
As I turned to put the dirty sheets into my cart, I realized I wasn’t alone.
“Holy fucking shit!” I shrieked, then scrambled to pause the music.
“I didn’t know you cussed. Kind of sexy, along with the way you move,” Law said, smirking as he closed the door fully and took the few steps separating us.
“Well I don’t, normally, but if you give a guy a heart attack—”
He cut me off by grabbing me by the neck and pulling me into a kiss.
I melted. There was no other word for it. I wrapped my arms around him and pressed closer, surrendering into whatever hewanted to do to me in that moment, because I’d missed him. It wasn’t just thewanting, it was the rest of him, too.
Of course, the wanting was the main thing. Which explained the way I folded as soon as his hands were on me.
Law pulled away from my mouth too soon, and I whined, even though he didn’t step back yet.
“I know, I’m sorry, but I have to go make some plans with Nic. I just couldn’t not find you.” He looked almost startled when he admitted, “I missed touching you.”
I leaned up and kissed his jaw, then nipped sharply, aiming to leave behind a little sting under his stubble that nobody would see but maybe he’d feel for even a few moments.
He hissed, then shook his head, smiling. “I wish there was more time, too.”
“I’m sure there will be at some point soon. You’ll probably know where to find me.”
He palmed my ass and squeezed. “Okay, I really need to go.”
I grinned. “Yet you’re not moving.” My arms weren’t restraining him.
He kissed me quickly, more of a peck with closed lips than anything, yet it made my body tighten anyway. Then, without another word, he turned and went to the door. The last thing I heard was a mumbled “…too fucking tempting.”
I grinned and turned my music back on. I was in the mood for something sultrier now.
The next week was Marlie’s birthday, and Law had a surprise planned for her. Of course there would be a little party at theInn, but he was going to take her to the shelter to see if she found a dog she wanted to adopt. Just one, Law told me, which… understandable but also funny because she would want to get them all. It was as if he was preemptively practicing saying no. I knew fuck all about parenting, but I was pretty sure she would understand the situation. If I was a betting man, I would’ve bet that she’d ask for more dogs for each of her siblings’ birthdays this year.
Either way, I was to go get Tris and Harper, because Law would pick up Marlie a bit earlier to take her to the shelter and a bit of daddy/birthday girl time. Everyone else was busy with their various jobs, and since I was always done by the time they got off school anyway, well, I had nothing but time.
I took Charlie’s SUV, because it had booster seats for the kids, because of course it would. That was who he was, after all. Driving Charlie’s SUV was a challenge, but by the time I made it to the school, I’d gotten a hang of the dimensions.
I parked at the parking lot and walked toward the front doors. I hadn’t been there yet, but I knew my name was on that list and Law would’ve told them about me coming to pick up the kids anyway. Some part of me was still hesitant, though. Like maybe they’d take one look at me and deem me too young or wouldn’t believe me or whatnot. Hello, anxiety, my old friend.
Since all the kids were in the same building, we’d agreed that they’d come to the front desk and wait for me there in case I was late. Because I was early, I went to the desk and smiled at the woman sitting behind it.
“Hey, I’m Oak Mulligan, I’m here to pick up Harper and Tristan Caldwell, once they’re let out.”
“Hi, can I see your ID?” she asked with a kind smile that told me this was a formality and nothing else.
“Oh, sure, of course. Sorry, I haven’t picked them up before so I didn’t think….” I dug out my wallet and handed her my driver’slicense. The one that said Oak Mulligan. Showing it to someone made my chest tighten with elation every time still.
