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CHAPTER9
GABRIEL AND FRANKIE
Isit as patiently as I can on the couch, watching the kids play, even though I want to pace the front porch and pounce when Gabriel drives up. Maddox seems to sense my unease. He keeps showing me toys and laying kisses on my cheek. I try to reassure him I’m just tired, but he still keeps glancing my way.
He’ll make a wonderful husband someday. He’s intuitive like his daddy and not hindered with a turned-off heart. I pray it stays that way. Though Gabriel’s difficult upbringing made him the man he is today, I wouldn’t wish that on Maddox or any kid. I have to believe our love and encouragement will still make Maddox a good man, full of loyalty and honor like his father. His character-building moments will come in other ways. I worry what they might be and pray we don’t break him or Maddyn like our parents did us.
I’m so lost in thought, I miss Gabriel driving up, and it’s not until the door opens that I spring into action, leaping over kids and toys to lunge into his arms before he gets the door closed.
“Angel.” He breathes into my neck. “It’s okay, baby. I’m here.”
I sniffle and hide my face, feeling all kinds of silly. “I’m so relieved.”
He sets me back. “I see that.” He squeezes my hands before letting me go to remove his coat and shoes.
“Hey.” Rowdy and Landry greet Gabriel then gather the grocery bags I didn’t even notice on the floor. “We’ll get these.”
“Thanks, guys.” Gabriel pins me with his worried gaze. “Let me say hi to the kids and family. Then it’s you and me, Angel.” He cups my face and plants a kiss on my forehead.
“Yeah, okay.”
Guiding me through to the living room, he releases me to catch Maddox flinging himself at his daddy, much like I did a moment ago. “Hey, big guy. You doing okay?” Gabriel hugs him tight, kissing his head.
“Mommy was worried.” Maddox locks on Gabriel’s face, the concern in his eyes matching his daddy’s.
“I’m all good. Where’s your sister?”
He points to Cap, who has an enthralled Maddyn on his lap, reading her a book. Cap looks up, giving me a nod, before continuing to read to our little angel.
Maddox goes back to playing as Gabriel heads to the kitchen, asking me, “You need food?”
“Maybe later.” I’m too emotional to eat, but I am hungry. I just need time with him to reassure me he’s fine after my horrible nightmare.
He snags a small grocery sack and some waters. “Y’all okay to watch the kids for a bit?” he asks Rowdy and Landry.
“Yeah. We’ll save some dinner for you,” Landry advises, pulling Taylor into his side. “Oh, and we’d like to watch the kids in the morning so y’all can sleep in.”
Gabriel’s eyes bug out. “All of them?”
Taylor only smiles. “Yeah, it’ll be fine.”
“I’d like to nurse Maddyn before bed, so please knock if we haven’t come out to get her.”
“Sure thing.” Taylor gives me a quick hug. “Everything’s good. We’ve got Madd and Ox. Go. Have some hubby time.”
Sequestered in our room on the second floor behind a locked door, the world slips away as he leads me to the bed.
“First things first.” He kneels in front of me. “Tell me about your dream.”
I run my fingers through his hair. I love playing with it, especially since he wears it longer now. “It was a nightmare. It felt so real.” I fight my emotions, still a bit strung out. Itfeltreal.
He undresses me and himself, guiding me to the shower as I share as many details as I can remember. Like most dreams, the more you think about them, they seem to evaporate, slip away, but the slur of his speech still rocks me.
“I’m fine, Angel.” He presses my hands to his chest as the hot water sprays around us. “Feel, baby. I’m solid and all here. My speech is fine. Not an inch of me hurt.” He encourages my hand lower, wrapping around his cock. “Except maybe here. I ache for you.”
“Yeah?” I tighten my grip, loving the grunt that escapes his parted lips as I stroke up to the swollen head and spread the moisture around his slit and down.
He pushes me against the warming tile wall. “Not going anywhere.” He teases my neck as my head falls back with tender kisses. “I’m here, baby.” His hand slips lower, between my legs. “Let me love you, wash away your fears.”
