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“Should we ask her to quiet down?”
The blonde smiled with another shake of her head. “No. If Sebastian minds, he will say something. Otherwise, it’s best to let them go and have fun. He likes it when the kids enjoy themselves here.”
“I do, too,” Taylor admitted with a shy grin. She glanced up from the spicy batter she’d been dipping the onion petals in as Monique turned to face her. Hesitancy stamped the other woman’s beautiful features for a moment before giving way to affection.
“I’m really glad you’re here. I probably shouldn’t say this,” she said, her green eyes darting around in a quick search, “but I’ve never seen my brother so happy or relaxed. He’s probably smiled more these past couple of weeks than he has in his entire life, and I mean that. It’s almost like he’s a completely different man.”
Taylor mulled those statements over, unsure how to react. Part of her was thrilled to know she gave Sebastian so much happiness—the other saddened as she wondered what he had been like before. She jumped at the sudden and unexpected brush of warm lips across her nape.
“It’s all true,” a husky voice murmured against her ear.
Monique paled as Sebastian leaned between them, stretching to pluck a cooling buckeye from the wax paper. The blonde relaxed at his affectionate wink. Popping the chocolate and peanut butter confection in his mouth, he let his eyes drift shut in a brief bid of pleasure before checking his watch.
“I gotta go,” he mumbled around a mouthful. “You two stay out of trouble while I’m gone.”
“Yes, Sebastian.” Taylor giggled, reaching up to wipe a smear of chocolate from the corner of his lip. His eyes shimmered as she popped her finger in her mouth and peered up at him from beneath the dark sweep of her lashes.
“You keep that up and we are going to disappear for a while,” he warned.
“Oh dear God,” Monique muttered with a rueful snort.
Taylor looked at her and fought another giggle.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” she said, turning her attention back to Sebastian with a pout.
“Oh no, darling. Not for me it isn’t.” His pale gaze sparkled with sincerity. “But you would be quite disappointed tomorrow morning when you found out what your surprise was going to be.”
“Yeah and if we don’t get going, that is never going to happen.” Josh chuckled from the archway. “Come on, Baas,” he said as if trying to coax a child away from a much-wanted toy at the store. “You can play with her later.”
Taylor colored as her lover snared her hips, giving her backside a suggestive bump and grind. Cupping her chin, he turned her face and stole a lingering kiss.
“I’ll see you later, baby.”
Monique waited until the side door had shut before giving her a pointed look. “Like I said,” she stated with a bemused grin. “A completely different man.”
Setting the last of the onion petals aside, Taylor washed her hands and started wrapping bacon slices around the semi-thawed tater tots. She’d never heard of it before, but Josh had assured her they were quite good, and Monique claimed the appetizers were one of the kids’ favorites.
“So what exactly does that mean?” she asked. “What was he like before that’s so different?”
The blonde rinsed her hands and moved to check the prime rib simmering in the lower oven.
“My brother was never what anyone could consider a playful man,” she said, turning to face her. “But when he came back from Iraq, he was different. I know war has a way of changing people, but there’s more to it. It’s been a steady progression from there,” she said wiping down the counters. “When he started this job, he became colder, harder, and even more distant. It’s like whatever pieces of him were left just snapped and died. He’s never connected with anyone like you. Don’t get me wrong, he’s been with other women before, but it was never like this.”
“What happened to them?”
Monique gave a begrudging snort. “It was never a good fit. His longest relationship was just over a year when he first started his career. I honestly think the only reason Sebastian kept the twit around was because she was a warm body and something to come home to at night. At the time, he was putting in upwards of eighteen hours a day trying to work his way through the ranks. Sometimes he’d be gone for weeks at a time. She threw a fit about his hours and left—and he seemed content enough to see her go. That’s what I mean though,” she said with a self-deprecating shrug. “He’s never been like this with anyone. You make him smile and laugh. He’s happy, really happy, and that’s something none of us have seen in him for a long time. People can say what they want about my brother, but he is still capable of feeling and he really does love you, Tay.”
Pressing her lips together, Taylor nodded. She wanted to ask what his sister had meant by that last comment, but she decided against it. She’d pried enough for one day. The kids rounded through the house again, screaming as they blasted off Nerf guns. Orange foam bullets sailed through the great room and over the banister overhead. It was just another subtle reminder that today was a day for enjoyment. The past didn’t matter, only the here and now. Smiling, she peered up at the other woman through the dark shock of hair that had fallen over her eyes.
“I really love him, too.”
A few hours later, she’d showered and changed into a flirty red silk dress with silver straps. Rather than go for the traditional upsweep, she pulled her hair into a loose side braid, keeping her wispy jawbone length bangs free. A fuzzy Santa hat and red ballerina type heels completed the playful ensemble. The look on Sebastian’s face when she descended the steps said it all. Unabashed desire darkened his gaze and he gave a slow shake of his head as he reached out a hand to help her down the last few stairs.
“I’m starting to think that outfit was a mistake,” he murmured, kissing her ear. She giggled as he groped her ass and hauled her against his side.
“Ohh,” she teased, giving him a mock pout. “Is someone going to be uncomfortable during dinner?”
“That’s a strong possibility,” he growled, tugging her lobe between his teeth. “But you will make that up to me later.” She shivered at the husky promise in his voice and the warm pulse of breath in her ear. “I’m more worried about the temptation you’re going to pose to others.”
“You picked this getup out, Mr. Baas.”
“A momentary lapse in judgment,” he murmured, giving her a slight spin.
Taylor bit back a giggle. “No worries there. I am yours and yours alone.”
“That you are.”
She melded against him as he cradled her face in his hands and branded her with a long, smoldering kiss. Her insides flooded with molten heat. Moaning into his mouth, she squirmed, seeking a way to press against his body. Sebastian pulled back with a low chuckle. His sage eyes bore into hers as she struggled to catch her breath.
“You’re such a shameless little minx,” he chided, brushing her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “I promise we will continue this later—and when we do, I have no intentions of stopping until I have had my complete and utter fill of you and that delectable little body.” Leaning closer, he whispered against her ear. “If I were you, I’d plan on it being a very long night.”
Her knees threatened to buckle. Snagging the swell of her lower lip between her teeth, Taylor stifled a whimper. Moisture pooled against the thin scrap of lace between her legs. The confident gleam in his eyes assured her Sebastian knew just how much she was suffering. He knew and he was enjoying every minute. Straightening, he took a step back as the kids ran through the room. The boys had changed into respectable suits and Mia looked adorable in a red velvet dress with frilly lace ruffles. Her thick curls bounced as she thundered past, despite the ribbons meant to hold them in place. Sebastian smiled after them. The joy on his face faltered as a shrill voice exploded in the kitchen, berating the children for their play. His jaw tightened, chasing away whatever traces of happiness remained.
“Excu
se me, darling,” he stated softly.
Confused, Taylor trailed after him as he headed for the kitchen. She paused in the entryway as a haughty looking redhead rounded on Sebastian, disapproval riding her pinched features. Cradling her pregnant belly, she pressed closer to the rugged looking man beside her.
“What is going on?” he asked, drawing the attention of their guests.
Several of his teammates had arrived earlier. A hushed silence fell over the group as they looked between the two. Taylor bit her cheek, her breath catching as an undeniable tension gripped the room.
“Don’t start on me, Sebastian,” the redhead quipped.
“This is my home, Natalie. I will do as I please.”
“And Christian is my son. I’m pregnant. The last thing I need is some crazed heathen plowing into me and hurting the baby. You’d think you’d do a better job of keeping these brats under wraps seeing how much you like being in control of things.”
Her heart sank as Josh glanced her way. The look on his face warned if she didn’t do something soon, the situation would get ugly in a hurry. Clapping her hands together, Taylor tried to grab the room’s attention.
“Okay! I think dinner is about done. Why doesn’t everyone grab a drink and head into the dining room so we can get the meal underway? That should get the kids settled down, at least for a little while.”
Her face flushed as the redhead’s aqua eyes swung her way. They were as cold and pale as ice.
