Bitch. Brief appreciation is one thing, but when her gaze lowers to the crotch of his pants, I’ve had enough. Bracing a hand on Connor’s back in case he jolts, I grab his crotch to stake my claim. That’s my dick, and she has no idea what I went through to be able to say that.
“The fuck, Rosanna?” he harshly whispers in amusement. “Here?”
“Just wanted to make sure you remembered who you belonged to.” With a squeeze, I release him.
“Oh, little wildcat. You know I’m yours. Only yours.” He pulls me closer for a sweet kiss, and when I lift my head, the other woman is gone, leaving just my little family in the exhibit.
God, I’m so catty, but I have to live up to my nickname. Right?
Connor simply shakes his head at me and grabs my hand. “Come on, wifey. Let’s go check out the sharks.”
Ana and Eli both pass out somewhere between the eels and the beluga whales, little faces resting on their daddy’s chest. And by the time we head home and get the twins in their bassinets for the rest of their nap, I’m about ready to pass out myself. Mothering is exhausting.
Connor and I collapse on top of the covers to rest our eyes while they’re still sleeping. But as I lay in my husband’s arms and watch my sleeping babies, a question weighs heavily on my mind. I want to make sure the air is completely clear between us because we can’t have a relationship with a foundation of lies and half-hidden truths. Turning to face him, I lazily trace around the black ink on his bare chest. “Connor?”
He stirs and kisses my hair. “Yeah, baby?”
“I’ve been thinking about everything you told me last night.” He stiffens, so I rush to reassure him. “And I’m okay with that”—mostly—“but is there anything else you need to tell me?”
His breathing changes. That sounds pretty suspicious to me. “Connor Mackenzie Shay...” I flick his nipple. “Tell me the truth.”
Red highlights appear on his cheekbones. This ought to be good. “Well,” he drags out, “there may be something.”
“May be or actually is?” When he takes too long to answer, I pinch his nub between my fingers.
“Ouch, woman! Warm a man up first, would you? All right, all right, there’s really something.” He takes my hand hostage and flattens it to his chest. “Those fingers of yours...”
“Well?” I demand.
“I...have something of yours. Two things, actually. Wait here.”
He jostles me as he climbs out of bed and moves to the closet, rummaging around on the top shelf. When he turns around, there’s a little wooden box in his hands.
Watching me warily, he sits on the bed and crosses his legs, looking younger than his years. “My dad and I made this when I was younger. When he discovered I liked working with wood, he sat me down and taught me how to build simple things. This was one of the first things I ever made.”
Sitting up, I take a closer look. It’s definitely nothing like his handiwork now. Childlike letters spell out his name over the top of the box. Aww...it’s so cute to imagine him as a little boy. Maybe even with his tongue peeking out in concentration as he painstakingly carved each letter. “And what’s in it?”
“Open it and see. The latch doesn’t work. Never did, and I never fixed it.” Connor laughs sheepishly.
Cautiously, I lift the lid, partly anticipating something to come popping out at me. But nothing does. There are only two things in here. Disbelief fills me, as does shock. “What the...?” Eyes demanding an explanation, I lift a silver key and a pair of ladies’ panties.
Panties that look pretty freaking familiar because I had a pair like that before he bought me all new ones. “Are these mine?”
Hand rubbing over his neck, Connor gives another deep, awkward laugh. “Uhh...yeah. And so’s the key.”
This devious man. “How did you get a pair of my panties?”
Taking both things out of my hand, he crawls over me and lowers down. “That first night I was with you in your apartment, I couldn’t stay away from you. When I saw your bare feet when you were sleeping, I didn’t want them to get cold. So I dug around for some socks but found your underwear drawer first. And I...couldn’t help myself.”
My heart beats faster. He was in my room and watched me sleep one night? That’s so freaking wrong.
And surprisingly hot.
I wrap my legs around him, all thoughts of sleep leaving me. “And the key?”
“I took it from Silas,” he confesses. “Just in case I couldn’t get you to stay with me, I wanted to be sure I had a way into your apartment in case you needed me. In case you had some terrible morning sickness and passed out by the toilet or something.”
“You devious, devious man.” I shake my head. “You’re lucky I love you so much. But I’m going to have to insist you throw my panties away.”
