She looked like summer herself with her long blond hair braided over one shoulder, white cotton sundress fluttering around her knees, glowing tanned skin, and that gorgeous smile that filled every dark corner of my life with light. Our little girl rested drowsily against her, cheeks pink from the heat, and her chubby fingers tangled in the lace trim of Emily’s dress.
I walked to them with purpose in my step, the space between us vanishing like nothing.
Emily tilted her head back, her lips parting slightly just before I kissed her—slow and soft, savoring her flavor as though I hadn’t tasted her in weeks instead of hours. I leaned in to kiss our daughter’s head, breathing in her sweet baby scent. Then I wrapped my arms around them both, one hand stroking the dip of Emily’s back, the other cradling her waist.
Together, we stood and watched as our son took off, the go-kart zipping down the long stretch of driveway with just enough wobble to make my heart lurch, then steady again.
“This,” I said low against Emily’s ear, “is what heaven looks like.”
She let out a shaky breath, and when I looked down, I saw tears glistening in her eyes.
“Hey,” I murmured, brushing my thumb gently beneath her lashes. “What’s wrong, angel?”
“I just…” She laughed softly, her smile sheepish, but her voice thick. “He’s getting so big, Jude. I swear, I blinked, and he turned four. And next time I blink…he’s gonna be sixteen and asking to borrow the Charger.”
I snorted, pulling her tighter against me. “Not a chance in hell. He’s not touching her till he’s got a full beard and a fuc–uh, freaking mortgage.”
“Fuh!” our daughter yelled suddenly, tossing her arm toward her brother’s go-kart as if she was cheering him on.
Emily gave me the look. “Seriously?”
“I didn’t even really say it,” I argued, lifting my hands. “Swear to?—”
Her eyes narrowed further, and I cut myself off with a cough.
Some of my rougher edges might have smoothed a bit over the years—married life had that effect—but I was still me. And that meant trouble rolled off my tongue before I had time tocatch it. My wife just shook her head and kissed our daughter’s cheek before heading back toward the house.
I watched them walk away—two pieces of my soul wrapped up in sunshine and a low hum of love that never went away. Then I turned to look at my son again, tearing down the driveway with joy painted all over his face. And for a moment, the whole world went quiet.
There was nothing but contentment. Pure and sweet.
That night, after the sun went down and the grill was cooled, my family—both by blood and oath—all headed out.
Emily and I got the kids to bed, a feat of epic proportions when they were stimulated from the party and stuffed with sugar. Then we showered off the sweat and barbecue smoke.
I admired her as she stood in the doorway of our bedroom, brushing her hair in slow, sleepy strokes while one of my old club shirts hung loosely off her shoulders, barely skimming her thighs. Her nipples pressed against the thin fabric, her curves soft and tempting in the warm lamplight.
She caught me watching. But then I hadn’t bothered to hide it.
Her smile was slow and knowing as she let the brush drop to the dresser before she stepped toward the bed. I reached for her, dragging her onto my lap, one hand slipping under the shirt to cup her bare tit.
“You still sad, baby?” I asked quietly, brushing my thumb over her nipple.
She shivered, and I whipped the shirt off before leaning down to flick it with my tongue. Warm milk beaded at the tip, and I groaned. Fuck, she tasted sweet.
She gasped, rocking her hips over my growing erection.
“Maybe a little,” she whispered. “I love watching them grow, but I miss the days when he was tiny.”
I wrapped an arm around her waist, dragging her under me as I leaned her back onto the bed.
“Then let’s make another one,” I suggested, my voice rough and my cock already throbbing against her belly. We both wanted a big family, so I knew it wouldn’t take much convincing, if any, for her to agree.
She moaned, arching into me. “Really?”
“Hell, yes. I want to fill this house with the sound of little feet and giggles.”
Emily sighed dreamily. “You mean it?”
