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He lifted a finger between them. “Don’t look at me like that—”

Eyes compressed to glittering slits, she stepped out of his hold.

He cupped her face in both hands, refusing to yield. “I love you, and those girls are the best things I’ve ever done, next to marrying you. I don’t want you to feel trapped.”

“Trapped.” Her incredulous exhale puffed over his wrist. “Nothing about us, nothing about our children has ever made me feel trapped.”

He narrowed his own gaze. “You’re sure about this?”

A hint of a smile curved her lips. “Would we be talking about it if I weren’t?”

A slow grin pulled at his mouth. “Well, hell, Falconetti, let’s have a baby, then.”

Chapter Fifteen

Pick Up The Pieces

June

“If I don’t get moving, I’m going to miss my flight.” Tick murmured the words near Caitlin’s ear, splaying a hand over her abdomen. Moving was the last thing he wanted to do, with her warm and replete next to him, with heavy aftereffects of pleasure still jumping low in his belly. Of everything they did together, slow and easy morning sex might be his favorite.

Of course, everything they did in the shower together was pretty damn amazing, too.

“Hmm.” She looped her arms about his neck, pressing close, kissing her way along his jaw. “Missing your flight could be worth it.”

“Precious, you’re amazing . . . stupendous . . . awe-inspiring.” He punctuated the adjectives with a series of kisses, laughter building in his chest as she smiled, a seriously sexy, amused curve of her lips. Planting a hand on the mattress, he levered up to grin down at her. “But not even you are worth incurring Gene’s wrath.”

“I see.” Her laugh bubbled between them, and she pressed a fist against his abs. “Go shower.”

“Come with me.” He climbed over her and reached for her hand.

Still smiling, she shook him off. “If I come with you, you’ll definitely miss your flight. I’ll start coffee.”

“Because you know you’ll need plenty of caffeine to deal with Eva being separated from me.” Behind him, she groaned and he grinned, whistling on the way into the en suite.

“Did you pack your golf pants?” Her mischievous voice stopped him at the door. His lack of skill on the golf course was a constant source of teasing, and he couldn’t go home without Gene wanting to hit the green.

“Watch yourself, little girl.” He turned to point at her, loving that smirk. He propped an arm on the doorframe. “Know the only reason I wear those pants? The effect they have on you.”

She rested her head on her palm, gaze dipping over him like a touch. “You make those slacks look very attractive, Calvert.”

On a chuckle, he headed for the shower. In the end, he made his flight and Gene’s precious Rotary Club meeting, arriving in Coney in time to pick Gene up.

The retirement village, tucked behind the local development authority and the long-term care facility, featured rows of cottages and postage-stamp lawns. Gene’s white F-150 sat in the drive of the blue-and-white cottage Louise had picked out. Not seeing Louise’s baby blue sedan next to Gene’s truck set off a pang in Tick’s breastbone.

Gene didn’t wait for him to come to the door, but bustled out, starched white shirt tucked into his jeans, cuffs at uniform standard like always. Tick grinned — the old man had the straightest gig line he’d ever seen. Some things never changed, and the knowledge was sweet.

“Boy, what you know good?” Gene met him on the walkway and wrapped him in a tight, back-pounding hug.

“It’s been too long.” He blinked, backs of his eyes burning, and slapped a gentle hand between Grandaddy’s shoulders. “And it’s already hot.”

“How’s everything at home?” Gene released him and turned toward the driveway. Tick swept an assessing eye over his stance. The old man was still steady on his feet, walked with the same long stride, confident and authoritative. That was good, too.

“Girls are off to camp this morning.” A smile quirked at one corner of his lips. He fished the key fob out of his pocket. “It’ll be awful quiet around the house.”

“I can drive.” His grandfather regarded the rental, a slight querulous tone to the assertion.

“Didn’t say you couldn’t.” Tick waved toward the beige sedan. “Thought you might like a chance to be chauffeured.”