Carter straightened, cradling Case with a tenderness that still surprised me.I reached out, brushing my fingers over Case's downy hair.My heart ached at the thought of being separated from him, even for a few hours.“I'll come with you.”
Carter looked at me with so much love and affection in his gaze but shook his head.“I've got this, Sunny.Rest.”
I sank back into the pillows, torn between exhaustion and the desire to never let my baby out of my sight.But as I watched Carter carry our son out of the room, his broad shoulders dwarfing Case's tiny form, my anxiety ebbed.Maybe I could close my eyes for just a minute...
Nope.
I couldn't resist the pull to see my boys together.Ignoring the ache in my stomach, I eased myself off the couch and tiptoed down the hallway.The door to our bedroom was cracked open, and I peeked through.
The sight before me stole my breath away.Carter stood by the window, his tall frame silhouetted against the moonlight.In his arms, Case looked impossibly tiny, nestled safely against his father's chest.Carter swayed gently from side to side, his movements smooth and rhythmic.
I pressed a hand to my mouth, overwhelmed.This was a side of Carter I'd glimpsed before, but never so fully on display.His usual gruff exterior had melted away, replaced by a softness that filled my heart to bursting point.
I continued to watch silently as Carter began to hum.The low, rich tones of his voice filled the room, a lullaby I didn't recognize but found instantly soothing.Case's tiny fist uncurled, his fingers splaying across Carter's shirt.
“There you go, little man,” Carter murmured.“Daddy's got you.”
Tears pricked at my eyes.I swiped them away, not wanting to miss a second of this precious scene.Carter kissed Case's forehead then rested his cheek against our son's head.
“You know,” he whispered, “I never thought I'd have this.A family of my own.Your mama, she changed everything.And now you're here, and I—” His voice caught, and he cleared his throat.“I promise I'll always be here for you, Case.No matter what.”
I steadied myself on the doorframe, my legs suddenly weak.The depth of emotion in Carter's voice, the unguarded honesty of his words, it was almost too much to bear.I wanted to rush in, to wrap my arms around both of them and never let go.
Instead, I stayed silent, committing every detail to memory and filing it away.
After all the fear and pain and loss, I'd finally gotten my happily ever after.
EPILOGUE
CARTER
“If you weren't alreadypregnant, I'd fuck you right here in the kitchen until you were, Mrs.Cassidy.”
Olivia snickered.“Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr.Cassidy.”
When I’d walked in to find her arranging a tray of firehouse puppy cupcakes, her brow wrinkled in concentration as she carefully positioned each one, the sight stopped me in my tracks.
My eyes followed the graceful line of her neck, down to where it met her shoulder, exposed by the wide neckline of her sweater.The fabric clung to her breasts, fuller now in these early weeks of pregnancy.
I’d moved silently across the hardwood floor, coming up behind her and wrapping my arms around her waist.She’d startled slightly then relaxed against my chest with a contented sigh.
“These look amazing,” I murmured, nuzzling the sensitive spot behind her ear.“But not half as delicious as you.”
My hands splayed across her stomach, fingers tracing languid patterns.Olivia's breath hitched, her body tensing deliciously against mine.“Carter,” she admonished.“Case will be up from his nap any minute.And the guests should be here soon, too.”
I kissed along her neck, reveling in the soft gasp that escaped her lips.“Then we'd better be quick, huh?”
I placed Olivia's palms down on the cool granite countertop before taking hold of her hips and gently urging her forward.Her breath quickened as I slid her black leggings down, revealing the smooth curve of her ass.
“No panties?So fucking sexy.”She moved to kick the leggings off fully, but I stopped her.“Leave them.I love you like this.”
She shivered as I ran my hands up the backs of her thighs, savoring the feeling of her soft skin.I pressed myself against her, letting her feel how much I wanted her.She pushed back against me with a quiet moan.
“We shouldn't...”But despite her protests as she arched her back, silently begging for more.I slid one hand up her shirt, bypassing her bra to cup her breast and thumb her pebbled nipple.When I reached between her legs with my other hand, I found her already soaked for me.
“Tell me to stop“—my fingers teased her slick entrance—“tell me you don't want me to fuck you right here, right now.”
Her only response was to spread her legs wider.I smiled against her neck, nipping gently at the delicate skin as I eased two fingers inside her.She gasped.
