“In time for the New Year’sparties.”
“Indeed.”
“Cormac’s notinvited.”
“Good.”
Atlas looked over at her. “He’s a treat,huh?”
“Oh, yeah,” Ebony said dryly, “a real chocolate-covered treat.Gross.”
Atlas laughed. “He’s considered quite thecatch.”
Ebony stuck her tongue out. “Ugh. Where? The mental asylum? The Home for ArrogantDouchebags?”
“You have his measure.” His smile faded. “Though I do wish Mateo wouldn’t engage him. Cormac has a way of getting to my brother, so much so, that Mateo loses his shit. Cormac hates that Mateo slept with Lydia first, even though it was six years ago. I think he’s marrying her not just for her money, but to spite Mateo. And now he’s annoyed that Mateo doesn’t care if Cormac sleeps with Lydia because he’s in love withMolly.”
“The Love Lives of the Rich and the Famous,” Ebony sighed dramatically as Atlaslaughed.
“Seriously, though, Cormac hates Mateo, and sometimes, just sometimes, it scaresme.”
Ebony shook her head. “Cormac is a typical coward if you ask me. All bluster. How he’s related to Stanley is beyondme.”
“Right? You liked Stanley,huh?”
“Adored him, and Bella too. Vida…yeah could live withouther.”
Atlas smiled over at her. “I adore you, MissVerlaine.”
“Right back at ya, stud.” She squeezed his cock through his pants. “Oh, someone’spacking.”
They joked and laughed all the way back to his apartment, but once inside, they were stripping each other before they even reached thebedroom.
As they made love, Ebony noticed he was even more careful with her, and realized it was because of the baby. It made her heart warm to him…what kind of man would take so much care over a child that wasn’this?
“I’m so crazy about you,” she told him, “so, socrazy.”
Atlas grinned. “I meant what I said, Ebony, it’s you and me now,right?
She nodded. “Me and you, whateverhappens.”
And they made love long into thenight.
Across town,another couple was making love, kissing and talking. Blue stroked his hands down his wife’s body. “Are you looking forward to tomorrow,baby?”
The next day was when their domino surgery was scheduled and Romy and Blue, ever the surgeons, were excited. “I have someone to cover me at Haven for twenty-four hours, so I’m allyours.”
She’d read over the patient details again and again until she knew everything by heart. Blue smiled at her now. “I have to say, I cannot wait to be back in an operating theatre withyou.”
Romy smiled up at him, stroking his face. “Me too…I missthat.”
“We make an incredible team. I sometimes consider quitting Rainier Hope and coming to work at Haven, just so I can work with you all thetime.”
“Ha, don’t you dare,” Romy laughed, “You are the best Chief of Surgery that Seattle has everseen.”
“Don’t tell Beau that, butthanks.”
Romy sighed, gasping as she came and Blue buried his face in her neck before shuddering to his own climax. “God, Romy…I’ll never get tired of doingthis.”
