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My heart squeezed for them. “I hope he’s her dad.”
Lucy’s exhale trembled through her body. “He does too.” She didn’t mention what she wanted. Or what she thought Abigail might want.
I couldn’t help a surge of sympathy for all of them. It wasn’t that I didn’t want kids. It was that I wanted them with someone I loved. “Zachary will make a great father.” Sparks crackled and burst from the fireplace on the opposite wall. I made my way over and held out my hands to the flames. “He’s wanted to be a dad for years.” He didn’t talk about it much, but when he did, he lit up.
Lucy’s presence warmed my side though we didn’t touch. I rubbed my hands together and scanned the photos lining the mantle. Lucy and Abigail sitting on the front porch with ice cream cones filled one frame. Another of the two of them with her dad, and a woman that could only be Lucy’s mother filled another. They smiled in every photo, mother and daughter matching grins and eyes that made me smile in response.
“I hate that he’s missed out on so much. If he’s her father.” She tacked on the last like an afterthought.
“He’s her father. The test is just a confirmation.” A brisk wind rattled a tree branch against the window, the desperate screech like nails on a chalkboard.
Lucy shuddered. “Damn tree. I keep forgetting to cut that limb down.”
I could see her outside with a chainsaw hacking at the offending tree. She was a woman who could do anything. But from what Zachary shared earlier, she was also afraid of losing everything. I wished I could offer her decisive comfort, but all I had were a few reassurances. “Zachary is great with kids. You don’t have to worry about that. It’s why he works so hard at coaching the youth league even though he’s busy with our league.”
We stood shoulder to shoulder with the soft crackle of flames popping in quiet oblivion. Lucy had something on her mind, but I wanted her to feel comfortable enough to bring it up.
“He’s great with Abigail. He even sat and colored with her at the office today.” She pointed out a picture taped to the wall beside the fire. “It’s all of us at the gala.” Her voice was a whisper that delved into my soul and made me want to promise that everything would be okay. “I’m scared, Lennox.” Her bright blue eyes dimmed and she knotted her hands over her stomach. “I’m terrified of what will happen if this goes badly. What Dad will do if he finds out.” Her eyes shuttered closed.
I took her hand and turned her to face me. “It will be okay.” I kissed her before she could argue. Her lips were firm, almost resistant, but then she relaxed and let me comfort her. I eased back a fraction. “We’ll figure it out. But we have all agreed that we’re willing to take the risk. You are worth it to us.” I held her gaze. “Are we worth it to you?”
I didn’t need a yes or no answer right now. It wouldn’t be fair to try and force her to give an answer under duress. She could end things anytime if that’s what she wanted, but I was not about to let this pass through my fingers without a fight. I had one more thing to say, and then I’d leave it alone. “As long as we’re all in this together, everything will work out. You have a bigger support system now. That’s what we are, Lucy. We’re not here to drag you down or make life harder.”
She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tight. “Thank you.”
Relief pulsed through me. I wanted this more than I cared to admit. Lucy had found her way into my heart in such a short time that it didn’t seem real. But we were together, and that was what mattered.
A car engine rumbled closer. “Sounds like Justin is here.” I kissed her temple and let her go to answer the door when Justin knocked.
Zachary’s quick laughter sounded as the door opened. “Sorry we’re late. Justin got lost on the roundabout.”
“I did not.” Justin huffed and shoved Zachary in the shoulder.
Lucy grinned and ushered them inside while shushing them. “Abigail is asleep right there.” She pointed at a room down a short hallway.
“Where’s your room?” Justin wiggled his eyebrows while removing his coat and hanging it beside mine.
Zachary did the same. His gaze darted toward Abigail’s room and his shoulders stiffened. He palmed the back of his neck and turned away, catching my eye with a tortured grimace. I understood the look after what he’d said today. He wanted this to work out even more than I did. He’d walked into a ready-made family, one that was already his by all rights.
He’d stop at nothing to join Lucy and Abigail. Coach’s orders be damned. This was now Zachary’s family and he’d fight like hell to stay. His dedication was one of the things I respected most about him.
Lucy took Justin’s hand and pulled him to the left, where a closed door nestled almost hidden in a recessed wall. “Over here.”
I pushed Zachary ahead of me, using the extra few seconds to bring my scattered thoughts under control. We were heretonight to spend time with Lucy. And we all knew how we wanted the night to go. I planned on a passionate night that none of us would ever forget. Remembering the gala and how Lucy responded to us made my cock twitch. I couldn’t wait to bury it deep inside her and claim her as mine. As all of ours.
Closing the door, I found the lock and clicked it before turning around. Lucy stood between Justin and Zachary, her petite frame dwarfed by them.
She ran her hands over her hips. “I don’t want you to think I brought you here just for sex.”
“That’s why I’m here.” Justin yanked his shirt off and threw it onto the floor, reaching for his belt at the same time. “Not just for sex, but it’s definitely part of the charm.” He opened his belt and pecked Lucy’s cheek with a quick kiss. “Is there some other reason we’re here?”
Lucy’s lips puckered in a slight frown. “Well.” She laughed, tossing her head back to expose her throat. “I guess not. I just didn’t want to feel like I was using you for sex.”
“Trust me, we don’t think that.” Justin kissed her again. “But we’re more than happy to make you scream your pleasure.”
“Hell yes.” I double-checked the door. No one wanted little Abigail walking in on us. I had plans for Lucy tonight. Dirty plans that were sure to have her writhing in pleasure. “We have all night. And it’s going to be worth every damned second.”
Zachary settled his hands on her hips and pulled her back against his chest. “We came here for you, Luce. It’s all for you.”
