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“We’re overdue for something to be in sync after everything I’ve put you through. I’m sorry for making you wait so long.”
Everything…she put me through?
Oh no. Hell no.
I close my arms around her and make sure she sees me. Grace scans my face with curiosity. “What’s wrong?”
“First of all,” I murmur, kissing the tip of her nose, then resting my forehead against hers. “There was absolutely nothing out of sync these last few months. I cherished taking days off to hold your hair while you tossed up your cookies. I wanted to be there for all of it. And if that means I didn’t get sex, so what? I put that baby in you, and it’s my job to take care of you both. If anyone should be sorry for anything, I’m guilty of smothering you.”
Her lashes brush my cheekbones as she looks down, taking my thick hands between her small ones. “Buck, you didn’t smother me. I ate it up. All of the attention made me feel like a queen.”
I let out a relieved breath.
“No less than what you deserve, Grace.”
She sighs and kisses the top of my head, stroking my back with her pretty, manicured nails. “You’re my best friend, and I’ll always be thankful for you. You’re my best Christmas present ever,” she says.
I am content. It’s fun to play games, but I just want to be close to her when it comes down to it.
“How about we book the cabin for the two of us after the New Year?” I offer.
“You read my mind.”
My gratefulness bubbles over.
She burrows against me. Her wall of comfort and protection. Always.
PartTwo
TREE TROUBLE
ChapterNine
Wade
Finally, Presley and I have a moment alone.
The two of us cuddle up on the sofa facing the picture window, gazing at the lightly falling snow illuminated by the moonlight.
Grace and Buck haven’t come out of the bedroom since the card game.
Harley and Charlotte went to bed a few minutes after we watchedThe GrinchandA Peanuts Christmasback to back, mentioning something about getting up early for a hike in the snowy woods.
In the corner of the room is the tree I chose and cut down myself. Originally, Presley had planned to handle shopping for a tree to keep in storage just for the cabin, but that can wait.
“Baby, you did such a good job on the tree,” Presley says. “Thanks for handling all of that.”
I run my fingers through her hair as she lays her head on my chest. I love wrapping her up against me like this. My wife is the best present a guy could ask for.
“I had to take something off your plate. You’ve been working so hard.”
She tilts her head up and kisses the tip of my chin. “So have you, though. You’ve been running yourself ragged.”
Presley is right about that. I’ve been taking on extra side projects to financially prepare for the baby’s arrival. Our bank account is not hurting, and I’m not worried I won’t be able to provide. But I always think in the back of my head that I should save in case of a rainy day. Or, with my luck, in the case of threats from Russian oligarchs.
Yeah, I still haven’t quite shaken that paranoia. Presley is safe in my arms, the thugs are behind bars, and I’ve recovered my savings.
But that nagging voice still worries me that something could go terribly awry for no reason.
