“Of doubting your husband’s trust in you?”
“Of everything. Ian, my husband is good-looking and could have any woman on the planet. I’m a plain Jane. I’m overweight, more so since the birth of the twins. The girl he dated when I met him, fucking gorgeous. My sisters, Maria and Jennifer, are model materials. Me, I’m not. Those three are worldly. They know people, they travel and wear nice fancy clothes. If I’m not in uniform, I’m either in jeans and a baggy shirt, or sweats with my hair up in a ponytail. I come home exhausted, bruised, frustrated…I carry a bad and a gun, all things my family tells me makes men question their manhood.”
“Does Joe question his?” Ian challenged.
“No, I highly doubt he does. He’s definitely all man.” Pratt smiled over at Ian.
“But?”
“Sometimes I think he wishes I stayed home.” Pratt shrugged, looking away. “Sometimes I think he could have done way better than me.”
“Why?”
Pratt laughed sarcastically. “My stepmother and other family members were part of a human sex trafficking ring. My stepsister is part of one now. Joe deserves a beautiful, unfucked in the head woman who can give him the world and isn’t an embarrassment to him.”
Ian watched Pratt wipe the tears from her eyes and look away. “Do you love him?”
“With everything in me.”
“Do you trust Larry and Gene?”
“Immensely, without question.”
“Let me fill you in on something. I’ve known Larry for years, same as Cater. I trust both men, not with just my life, but that of my wife and daughter. Devon is the same way. Carter trusts Gene with his life. Neither of us trust people very easily. With that said, because we both trust Larry and Gene, the fact that both men vouch for you tells me that you can be trusted. I’ve known your husband for several years and trust him the same as those three men. Are you with me on where this is going?”
“Yeah” When Ian cocked an eyebrow, Pratt smiled. “Yes, sir!”
“Good. Now, on the subject of your husband, he loves you, no questions about it. You are it for him…”
“I can’t do the things he wants without panicking.”
Ian put a hand up, interrupting Pratt. “That’s your one and only freebie interrupting. He doesn’t care if you can’t do the bondage, blindfolds, or public scenes. He only cares that he is with you. Something tells me he’s not into the public scenes either because he likes to keep the good stuff for his eyes only. I get why you hesitate with the other stuff. Talk to him, work on it with him, but don’t doubt his love for you. That man watches your every move. He only cares about your happiness.”
“Unless I’m pregnant, then he withholds the dick. Is that something all men do?”
Ian laughed. “I can’t speak for him, but I can say my wife and I had a small period where I was afraid of hurting her with how much I craved her. But we worked through it.”
“He wants another baby, but I’m scared. I can’ t do another nine months of no nookie.”
“You went nine months without?”
“No, I had to trick him a few times. Threatened rape and a few other things a few times too.” Pratt laughed at Ian’s wide-eyed look.”
“Okay, enough girl talk, lets’ head back in before your husband comes down here looking for us and threatens my life. I also need to run by Donovan’s to pick up everyone’s lunch.”
Pratt stood up and walked over to Ian, surprising him when she hugged him. “Thanks, I needed that kick in the ass. Knowing Jennifer is part of this whole thing has really gotten to me.”
Ian hugged her back. “Any time you need one, let me know. I can’t promise it’ll be a nice one though.”
“Better be a damn good reason why my wife’s eyes are red and she’s in ye arms, Sawyer.”
Pratt looked up at Ian and winked before going to her husband, wrapping her arms around his waist. “It’s all good, babe. He was just giving me the verbal ass kicking I needed.”
“You’re lucky twatapotamous is taken by Batman or that would be your new nickname right now.” Ian informed Highlander.
Highlander looked down at his wife. “Are ye okay lass?”
“Yeah. Just feelings sorry for myself. I’m good now.” Pratt stood on her toes and planted a kiss on Highlander’s lips.
