AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stood, coffee in hand, and went to each woman to place a kiss on their cheeks. “We’ll set something up for later in the week.”
“Sounds perfect,” Poppy assured me. “And don’t forget about dinner.”
“I won’t,” I promised, thrilled at the idea of taking Cash and Laeth with me to family dinner at the Montgomery’s.
Laeth
“Daddy!”
Cash came rushing through Jensen and Shane’s living room as fast as his little legs would carry him. I chuckled as he ran, loving how he held one arm stiff at his side while swinging theother widely across his front. It was cute as hell, but what I loved even more was this little boy’s excitement at seeing me walk through the door, like it had been weeks as opposed to only hours since we last saw each other.
Deva’s words from this morning rang in my head. “You are his protector.”
My son launched himself at me, and I dipped low to catch him, just as he trusted I would, and gave him a toss in the air. At his peel of laughter, something cracked wide open in my chest, and warmth came spilling out, spreading through my body from the top of my head to the tips of my fingers and toes.
“Hey, bud. You have fun?” I asked once I had him settled on my hip.
“Uh-huh.” His eyes cast over my shoulder and rounded just before he screeched, “Day-Day! You hewe!”
She came up behind me, dragging her fingertip down the bridge of his nose. Like the smart male he was, he melted into her touch. What could I say? My boy had taste. “I am, little bug. I came with your daddy to get you.”
I gave Cash a little bounce on my hip. “Want to grab your stuff? Maybe we can hit the park on the way home. What do you say?”
“Yeah, yeah!” He squirmed, eager for me to put him back on his feet, then he took off down the hall.
“Don’t worry. I repacked his bag myself, so everything’s in there,” Shane assured me as she moved into her husband’s side and ducked beneath his arm like it was second nature. At the sight of their easy affection, my own arm began to tingle, missing the feel of Deva, so I reached behind me, grabbed hold of her hip, and pulled her in front of me so I could slip my arm over her shoulders and hold her close, her back pressed against my chest.
“Thanks. We really appreciate you keeping him for us.”
Deva melted against me, trusting me to take her weight and hold her close as she looked back over her shoulder, her slow smile indicating she really liked my use of we and us.
Shane’s little squeak of excitement drew my attention back to her, specifically to the hands she had clasped near her chest and the goofy smile on her face as she shuffled from foot to foot.
“Itoldyou, bunny,” she said, elbowing her Jensen in the ribs. “Farah and Poppy were totally right. Oh my God. You guys are so flipping cute together!”
I rolled my eyes toward the ceiling. “For Christ’s sake,” I grunted. “It’s been less than thirty minutes. That has to be a new record for this town’s grapevine.”
Deva ducked her head, her cheeks having flushed red. I loved when I had her naked and alone, she could so easily let her guard down with me and demand her pleasure while the other side of her still blushed furiously whenever she was the center of attention.
“Get used to it, man,” Jensen warned. “This is what it’s gonna be like from here on out.”
“Can’t wait,” I deadpanned, faking annoyance when the truth was, I couldn’t give a shit if people talked. I had Deva and Cash, as far as I was concerned, that was all that mattered.
“Day-Day!” Cash shouted through the house. “I need potty!”
Deva’s eyes went big as a giggle worked up her throat. “Uh-oh. I better get him before he decides he can do it all himself. Last time he did that, I caught him trying to pee in a potted plant in the corner.” She turned around to shoot me a quick wink. “Be right back.”
“I’ll help,” Shane said on a laugh. “Just in case he’s already beat us to the punch. Believe me, I have some stories about Brantley when he was Cash’s age.”
The two of them disappeared around the corner, leaving Jensen and me alone.
“See you finally got your head out of your ass.”
I turned my attention to him, bewilderment written across my face. “What? No smartass comments about me banging the nanny or reverting to my old ways?”
He clapped me on the shoulder companionably. “Nope. No need when I see the way you look at her. You’re totally sprung, my man. Went down hard. Gage and I gave you shit when you were screwing around, dead set on careening headfirst down a path that would lead to nothing but destruction. But the one you’re on now?” He jerked his chin toward the hall, indicating Deva. “That’s happiness, brother. And it’s all either of us ever wanted for you. So, she makes you happy?”
“Yeah, Jense. I’m happy. She makes everything better. I—I love her,” I admitted, and at those words, something flashed across Jensen’s face. He tilted his head down, almost like he was hiding a sudden wave of emotion, and cleared his throat.
