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“Hey, Taran, we didn’t know you were coming,” Marc said, moving toward them.
Corey automatically pulled Taran closer, causing Marc to stop in his tracks and nod his head in welcome.
“You want some pinot noir?” Corey asked.
Taran’s green eyes met his. “How do you always know my favorites?”
“He cheats,” Danny called across the room. “We missed you, doll. Come sit those dirty eyes next to me.”
Corey sent a glare to Danny as Taran moved to the table. Danny just smirked. Corey gritted his teeth but moved quickly around the kitchen he knew as well as his own.
“You pitched well,” Beth said, and Corey looked at her for the first time. Pale skin, dark circles, red eyes.
“You okay?” he asked her.
Beth sighed, looking across the room to the baby girl in Will’s arms. “Peyton’s trying to kill me through sleep deprivation. Whoever said having kids was fun was a liar.”
Corey laughed. “You love your kids.”
She flopped her head onto her arms, resting on the stone countertop. “I know. I’m a masochist.”
“And a drama queen.” Corey chuckled and headed to the table with Taran’s wine and his beer. “I think your wife needs to go to bed.”
Marc’s eyes cut to the wide-awake baby girl on Will’s lap. “As soon as Peyton closes her eyes, you’re all kicked out.”
Danny leaned in closer to Taran, and Corey’s whole body clenched. Danny flirted—with everyone—and he meant very little by it. Corey needed to work on trust, but that would be easier if Taran wasn’t sitting next to Danny.
“Taran, let Beth have your seat. She’s dead on her feet,” Corey said.
Marc’s eyes narrowed, and Will blew out a breath, shaking his head.
“I’m not going to have her stand,” Beth said.
“Me either,” Corey said and patted his leg. Once again, Taran’s green eyes, full of questions, met his. “Unless you’re going to steal my keys again.”
She scoffed, and he reached out and pulled her onto his lap. Marc sent his wife a look that had her dropping into the chair Taran had just emptied.
Corey snaked his arm around Taran’s tiny waist and tucked her against him. He let out his breath, feeling calmer now that she was in his arms.
The curve of her ass pressed against his thigh. She turned her head slightly, and the ends of her hair brushed against his jaw, causing his senses to whirl with bursts of lavender. He tucked his nose into her hair and pulled in a deep breath. She smelled like everything good in the world. And although a half hour ago he’d just come so hard he swore he saw stars, his pants were becoming uncomfortable. The skin of her lower stomach was warm, and he moved his hand slightly to feel the satiny softness against his rough fingertips. She was warm, soft, everything he’d want a woman to be, and he finally had her in his arms. Then that perfect ass shifted over, brushing against his erection, and he sucked a breath through his teeth.
“You okay?” she asked.
Perfect. Awful. He didn’t know.
Peyton started to cry, saving him from an answer, and Will shifted the baby to his shoulder, but Danny stood up.
“Give me the demon child, and I’ll work my special magic,” he said.
“If you get her to sleep, I will give you anything you want,” Marc called.
“Promises, promises.” Danny chuckled as he left the room.
“It’s still crazy that idiot’s the baby whisperer,” Will said.
“Huh?” Taran cocked her head slightly, causing her hair to dance across his cheek again.
Corey swallowed hard at the sensation. “Danny can calm any baby down. He settles the crying and gets them asleep,” Corey said. “It’s weird.”
