With quiet steps, I made my way to Millie’s room to steal a goodnight kiss. But when I opened the door, the scene in front of me completely stole the air from my lungs.
In the corner, perched on the edge of the chair, sat my gorgeous husband with my little girl on a stool between his wide-spread legs.
Millie had her book in her lap while Tristan had his fingers in her hair. Tongue poking out of the corner of his way-too-damn-luscious mouth, his expression was serious as he concentrated on wrapping one strand of her hair over the other.
Wrap, wrap, wrap, he went until he finally tied a hairband around the ends.
“All done, princess.” He sat back, brows dipped low while he admired his work.
Millie’s little fingers flew to the back of her head. She felt her way up and down the braid, then jumped up and inspected it in the mirror. The braid was messy and skewed, but judging by the gigantic smile on her face, she didn’t care one bit.
“It’s not quite as pretty as Kate’s, but with a few more practices, we’ll get there.”
When he’d said it, Millie hurried back to him. Standing between his legs, she took his face in her small, small hands. “It’s perfect,” she whispered. “Thank you, Tristan.”
Then, without preamble, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. And Tristan? Well, he hugged right back. Splaying his big hand across her back, he pulled her to him.
His eyes fell shut, and there written all over his gorgeous face was every ounce of love I felt for this little girl.
My heart doubled in size.
“All right, princess.” He stood, scooping Millie up in the process. “To bed with you.” Tickling her side while he crossed the room, he drew the happiest little laugh out of her.
Those pesky little butterflies were back. Only they weren’t fluttering like the graceful insects they were supposed to be. Whatever they were doing inside my belly rivaled the biggest acrobatic act on the planet.
Needing to be close to them, I stepped farther into the bedroom. “Sounds fun in here.”
“Kate,” Millie squealed as she reached behind her to tug her hair over her shoulder. “Look. Tristan braided my hair.”
Gosh, she sounded so freaking proud.
“Her hair bothered her while she was reading. So...” His words were low and raspy and oh-so-sensual. He might as well have whispered how badly he wanted me out of my clothes.
It had the same damn effect.
I held his dark stare. “I thought you couldn’t braid.”
Millie giggled. Red stained Tristan’s cheekbones.
More color tinged his skin. “I…uh…” He dragged his hand over the nape of his neck. “I might’ve watched a few video tutorials on how to style hair.”
His grumbled words sailed between my ribs and settled in every corner of my heart. This man, this freaking man.
“You’re incredible,” I told him when we headed to our room after saying goodnight to Millie. “I can’t believe you did that. On what did you practice while you watched the videos.”
Instead of answering, he shut the door and reached for me. I went without hesitation, allowing him to wrap me up in his arms and hold me close.
His hands slid down my back and over the curve of my ass while he buried his nose in the crook of my neck. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make my girls happy.”
He’d already done that. Instead of telling him, I rolled onto the balls of my feet and pressed my mouth to his. I kissed him deep and slow and a few moments later when he spun us around and pushed me up against the door, he moved between my legs with the same unhurried pace.
His fingers tangled in my hair while his mouth mapped my skin, whispering words of love and adoration. It wasn’t long before an entiregalaxy of stars exploded behind my lids. Throwing my head back, I cried out his name and drew him straight over the edge with me.
And as we slowly floated down to earth together, I thanked the universe for giving me everything I never knew I wanted.
Chapter thirty-eight
Tristan
