I grin.
“Put that dimple away. That’s not helping.” She presses her finger over the indent in my cheek.
I lean in, sucking her bottom lip between mine, and she makes a pouting noise. “We’re covered.” I proceed forward.
Her arm flies out again. “Wait. What? How old is it because—”
I kiss her hard, stealing her mouth in a hot, slick kiss. Her body goes limp.
I’m unsure if this panic is nerves or anticipation, but I’m promising her that no matter what, everything will be ok.
Chapter 53
SARAH
I cling to him, desperate for more. Slade quietly kicks the door shut and lowers my legs. My toes touch the floor, but his large, muscular arms wrap around me, keeping me close and making me feel so safe. Even in the dark, his green eyes find mine. Attentive. Gentle. Sure.
My heart beats fast with anticipation of sharing everything with him. I’m nervous, but it’s the best kind of anxious tension.
I wasn’t sure I’d ever find myself with a man I care about and trust so much I can’t stand not being with him.
“This can happen now or months from now. My promise isn’t going anywhere.” His voice is soft but ragged.
I fist his shirt, choking out the truth. “This. . .is new for me.” My gaze finds his again. “Being so cared for and allowed to care for you the same way. I didn’t know love could be like this.”
The back of his fingers grazes my cheek.
“I love you,” I whisper. “And as hard as I tried not to, I need you. All the time.”
His forehead falls to mine. “I’m pretty sure I fell in love with all three of you the moment you set foot in my house. I never wanted you to leave. I wanted to be around you all the time. The noise, chaos, and mess. I don’t ever want to be without it.”
I huff a quiet laugh. “You might change your mind when you’re thrown up on, or the kids are screaming because you don’t have the right snack.”
He shakes his head. “No. There’s no changing this, Sarah. I want it all. Maybe someday we’ll add to the chaos.”
I pull away just a little to look at him. “Yeah?”
He nods, and the intensity I see in his eyes burns through me, sending waves of heat soaring.
I undo one button on his shirt and then another until I reach the end. I push it over his shoulders, and it drops to the floor.
I smile, gripping the hem of his white T-shirt and tugging it up. He pulls it over his head, and I gape at the defined muscle underneath, marked with an intricate. . .lion head that spills over his shoulder onto his chest. It’s beautiful and so entirely fitting.
He stands completely still, watching me take it in. I raise my eyebrows, my tongue pressing to the corner of my mouth. This man has no idea how incredibly gorgeous he is.
I trail my fingers up his inked arms, rippled with veins. “I’ve wondered how far these stretch.”
His hands grip my waist, and he walks me back toward the bed.
“Will you tell me about them?”
“Not right now.” It’s that commanding tone, and it makes me smile.
The back of my legs hit the edge of the bed. “Fine, Bossy Pants.”
He grunts, his hands sliding underneath my cropped shirt and pulling it over my head. He wastes no time stealing my bra with it.
His gaze pours over me, and I spread my hand over his heart, feeling it pound against my palm.
