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Thank god she knows better. “I’m not.”
Her smile widens. “How about next weekend?”
I scowl. Seven whole days? “How about tonight?”
She shakes her head. “Only you’re crazy enough to suggest that.”
“Are you crazy enough to accept?”
Kristi laughs, and I can’t wait to hear that sound every day. “Actually, I am.”
“Good.” I kiss her softly. “We should get started right away because fifty years probably won’t be enough.”
Dallas, Texas
June 12
11 p.m.
Havana
“Having fun, babygirl?” my husband asks, wrapping his arm possessively around my waist as we stand backstage at the packed concert venue, watching Sophie Larsen, one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, sing her heart out for her screaming fans.
It’s a dream come true since I’m a fan myself…but I’m keenly aware of Ransom’s burning fingers pressing into my hip, holding me excruciatingly close—his silent communication that he aches to strip me down and sex me up. Despite really enjoying the show…I’m tempted.
Marrying Ransom Garrison three months ago was the most impulsive—and best—thing I ever did. We don’t care about the sideways, sometimes snide glances we get because of our age-gap. We’re beyond happy together.
Being related to the super-talented pop princess by marriage is a bonus. But Sophie is also an awesome person, friend, and sister-in-law. In fact, my husband’s whole family is amazing.
Life is almost perfect.
“Tons!” I shout in his ear to be heard over the music. “She’s so talented.”
“She really is.” Ransom turns to his grown son. “How’s this for a send-off, Ethan?”
My stepson—it’s weird to say that since we’re the same age—has been supportive of Ransom and me since day one. I’ll miss him once he leaves tomorrow. But it’s time. He’s a man. He’s ready to begin his own life.
“Pretty fucking awesome.” He flashes his father a grin—but he’s eyeing a blonde a year or two older, standing with a group beside Sophie’s husband, Rand. “Thanks for including me.”
“Always.” I smile at him. “We’re family. Don’t forget that when you go to San Diego and become the awesomest marine ever.”
Ethan grins at me. “You got it. I’ll see you two later. I’m going to go and…be friendly.”
When he bobs his head in the blonde’s direction and winks, I laugh, waving as he goes. My husband grips my hip tighter.
I turn to him. “Behave.”
He kisses me like a man who loves his woman, and I melt. “Why? You like me bad.”
Oh, I do.
“Hey, you two. No taking away from Sophie’s audience by putting on a show of your own,” Ridge, my husband’s youngest brother, teases as he wanders over, clutching his wife’s hand.
Those two are never far apart. They’re so obviously in love, like me and Ransom.
Ridge and Kristi got married on the same day, in the same venue, in front of roughly the same guests as Ransom and me. That probably seemed odd to some of our attendees, but it was perfectly logical to us since we had the whole family gathered in Vegas. Ridge and Kristi went first because they’ve got a baby on the way. Sophie was kind enough to sing for both ceremonies.
“Shut the fuck up,” my husband grouses. “You two got checked in well before the show. Some of us were on a delayed flight and only got into our rooms soon enough to shower and hear you ‘resting up’.”
Kristi blushes and hides her face in her hands. “Oh, my god. I want to die.”
“It’s okay, Little Red. That’s not the first time Ransom heard us getting busy. He was next door to us the night Sophie and Rand got married.”
“I’m pretty sure I heard you two making junior there.” My husband points to Kristi’s swelling belly.
Kristi closes her eyes and shakes her head. “Never mind. I need to die. Now.”
“Ignore them,” I tell her softly. “They’re too busy slapping each other on the back to dwell on your embarrassment.”
“You’re right.” Kristi nods. “Thank you.”
Ransom’s fingers dig a little deeper into my hip, the tips all but burning my skin through denim. “We’ll be sure to return the favor later. I hope you weren’t counting on sleeping.”
I tsk at my husband, but don’t say more because it’s likely to be a long, steamy night. Ransom might be thirty-four…but he doesn’t behave his age in bed. He’s on me constantly, and I love it.
Kristi pats her baby belly, watching Sophie in between songs, both glowing and vibrant on stage. “How does she have the energy for this? If I hadn’t napped this afternoon, I’d already be face-first in my pillow.”
Vanessa, my other sister-in-law, strolls up with careful nonchalance, blond hair mussed and cheeks rosy. Rush looks like a very satisfied husband, complete with a relaxed saunter and a big smile.
That explains where they’ve been…
His super-sweet wife rights her dress, smoothing it over her abdomen where she’s just starting to thicken around the middle.
A pang of envy tugs at me. All of my sisters-in-law are expecting. Sophie’s pregnancy is the most high profile and the farthest along. It’s also the reason for her concert tonight. This is her farewell-for-now show. It sold out within minutes in all eight cities. Then she’ll head home to nest with Rand—and think about whether she wants to continue a career in the public spotlight after the baby. Her husband takes a lot of good-natured ribbing as a small-town police chief for his high-profile wife, but like all of my husband’s brothers, he’s completely smitten.
