Page 62 of Red Flag Bull
“You don’t need our approval,” I say. “But you have it.” I slide up Mandi’s long sleeves, to reveal the paint streaks on her arms. “And you’re in good company. This one was in her studio right up until it was time to get in the truck and come here. She was anxious as fuck, and creating is her happy place.”
Caleb swallows visibly and looks from Mandi to me. “What about you? What’s your thing?”
“Whatever I put my mind to,” I reply with a shrug. “Details. Patterns. Sports. Puzzles. Anything strategic that requires precision. Bonus points if there’s a physical element to it. I was raised outdoors, and I like to work hard. I value justice and protecting the vulnerable, but my highest priority has always been my family.” I pull Mandi’s seat even closer. “If I’d known you were part of that sooner, this discussion would have happened much earlier. It’s been a long and strange journey, but we’re happy to tell you the story over lunch, if you’d like to know more?”
I offer him a menu, and my heart fucking sings when he takes it.
“I’m good at sports, too.” He smiles. “I’m majoring in fine arts, but I’m doing it on an athletic scholarship.”
I lean back in my seat with a grin. “You don’t say.”
EPILOGUE
MANDI
It has been a summer vacation like no other.
Family-time on steroids. Happy families galore.
It was super-convenient that Jason bought the mansions on either side of our lakefront home. And not just for his original, intended purpose of keeping the neighbors from hearing me scream when I come. We have enough rooms to be able to spread our family across all three houses, and having everyone so close has been heaven.
I’ve met all of Jason’s friends properly now, and they’ve become mine too. Everyone has been so welcoming and loving, and I can already imagine what our summers may look like in the years to come, with our family growing, like Vince said. More babies are on their way to join the cuties clapping their daddies on from picnic rugs while the big, bearded kids gallivant about, playing raucous ball and tackle games along the shore.
The eclectic band of brothers have been an endless source of entertainment, with their laughter and games, and if we keep this a summer tradition, our kids will grow up happily playing the same way.
In fact, Caleb has already joined the men, and not only was he accepted instantly, he was also embraced with open arms.
He came to Mountain Lake for the summer as well — with his parents, Buzz and Suzi, who are so fucking sweet, I’m actually starting to make peace with missing out on so much of Caleb’s life. I’m also taking notes and accepting all tips on parenting from them both, because they’ve done an amazing job with our boy, and I want his little brother to grow up just as happy and well-balanced.
I look down at our sated, milk-drunk little boy and see so much potential, I could burst with all the love I want to give him. I always want him close, where I can watch every breath he takes and keep him safe forever.
“He looks happy.” Jason stands behind my comfy armchair that faces out the bay window and rests his head against mine, so we can gaze down at baby Jacob together.
Shirtless, Jason smells like sunshine and outdoor activity — and do I detect a hint of pine? Fond memories of love in the woods give my core a needy tug, and I squeeze my legs together. I haven’t left the house in a while…
“You’re doing a beautiful job, Princess,” he rumbles before pressing his lips to my neck. “He should be settled for a good few hours, which means I can take his mom out for a change of scenery and some much-needed fun and TLC.”
His words don’t compute right away, and I twist my head so I can see his face. “Huh?”
He grins and comes in front of me, to carefully extract Jacob from my arms. I love watching them together. Jason looks at our little boy with pure love and adoration. He’s so gentle and careful with him, and he strives to give his son everything he needs to feel safe and comfortable. He’s the loving father I always imagined he’d be, and I couldn’t have asked for better.
I can’t watch them together without falling more in love with both of them, and if Jason knew what his ultra-awesome dad vibes did to my pussy, he’d have me on my knees and bred again without delay. It’s a delicious thought that refuses to leave my mind lately, which is very inconvenient when I’ve committed myself to never leave my baby’s side.
Jason traces Jacob’s sleeping smile with his fingertip and presses a kiss to his forehead before looking back at me.
A shiver of pleasure caresses my spine, and Jason wets his lips, before he drops his gaze to my exposed breast. The suggestive behavior has my body desperate for some feel-good pampering, but I have motherly duties to uphold.
Jason sways gently with Jacob while he looks me over with a heated gaze. “I got us a nanny for the afternoon, Princess.”
My heart stumbles in excitement, and then picks up speed when I think about what that really means. I can’t abandon Jacob, and I don’t want to miss a single part of his life. It’s a fucking privilege to be at my baby’s beck and call.
“Jason, no.” I rush to tuck my breast out of sight. “I can’t. I can’t leave him for a whole afternoon. He’s barely ten weeks old. What if?—”
“We won’t go far, he won’t leave home, and all will be fine.” Jason nods to something behind me. “He’s going to be bonding with his big brother.”
I climb out of my rocking chair, to see Caleb — basically the brunette spitting image of his father — grinning at me with the same fucking mouth. “Caleb’s the nanny?” I ask.
Caleb bows his athletic frame deeply. “At your service,” he says in a grand voice before making gimme hands for the baby. “I’ll keep him safe,” he says, much like Jason would. “Mom’s going to supervise me and everything. Please go outside. Get some sunshine, and see something pretty. I want to paint with you in your studio tomorrow, and I want you feeling fresh and inspired.”
