When I push open my bedroom door, carrying in the Pack ’n Play, I freeze when I see Wren standing in a Riggins Enterprises T-shirt. It's way too big on her and reaches just above her knees. She has Madeline in her arms, singing softly, and I don’t give a fuck if my man card is revoked. It melts my damn heart to see them here like this.
“Hey, baby girl,” I say, approaching them. Madeline looks at me with sleepy eyes. “I’m going to get your bed all set up, sweetie. You have to use blue blankets tonight, but I promise I’ll get you some girly ones for next time.”
“Next time?” Wren asks. Her smile gives her away.
“Next time. And the time after that, and the time after that, all the times until I can convince you to move in with me.” She opens her mouth, I’m sure to argue, but I shut her down with a kiss. “Which side of the bed do you want, babe?”
She shrugs. “I sleep on the couch, so whatever is fine for me.”
“Tell me which side you prefer?”
“Either, really.”
“How about we put you on the right side? That way, I’m next to the door, and we can put the Pack ’n Play in that corner of the room as well. Sound good?”
“Why do you want to be by the door?”
“So I can protect my girls. If someone happens to get through my security system, they’re going to have to go through me to get to either of you.”
“You make my heart beat faster,” she murmurs.
“Good. You do the same to me.” I get busy setting up the bed for Madeline, and change my clothes while Wren gets her settled. “Do we need to keep a light on for her?” I ask Wren.
“No, she’ll be just fine.”
“Climb in, babe.” I nod to what I now deem her side of the bed. Clicking off the lamp, I climb under the covers and pull her into my chest. “Fuck, Wren. It feels as though I’ve been waiting a lifetime to hold you like this.”
“You never told me.”
“I was trying to go slow. I didn’t want to rush you.”
“You’re a good man, Marshall Riggins.”
“I’m your man. Night, baby. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Chapter 20
Wren
A deep timbre wakes me. My eyes fly open, and it takes me a minute to get my bearings and figure out where I am. It’s not until I see Marshall standing at the foot of his bed with Madeline in his arms, talking softly to her, that it all comes rushing back to me.
He told me he loves me.
I told him that I love him.
I’m sleeping in his bed.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“We were trying to let you sleep,” he says, his voice soft. “Well, I was. I think Maddie is ready to protest if she doesn’t eat.” He smiles at me, and it’s endearing. He’s shirtless, wearing nothing but a pair of low-hanging basketball shorts. His hair’s a mess, and he has sleep lines on his face, and he’s holding my daughter as if she’s the most precious thing in the world to him.
He’s never been sexier in my eyes.
“I can go feed her.” I throw the covers off and start to stand.
“You can feed her right where you are.” He brings her to me and gently places her in my arms. “Mommy will make it better,” he assures her.
“Sorry she woke you up,” I say, lifting his T-shirt and adjusting Madeline, and she latches on, settling in my arms.
“She was hungry,” he says, his eyes meeting mine. Slowly, his hand reaches for me and raises his shirt. “You don’t have to hide, baby,” he says huskily.
“Habit.”
“We need to work on breaking that habit. It’s just me.” He moves to walk around his gigantic bed and climbs on, sliding over close to me. Resting his back against the headboard, he carefully adjusts me so I’m in his arms. “Better,” he mumbles, placing a kiss on the top of my head.
The quiet of the room surrounds us. The low glow from the bathroom light through the small gap of the door is the only light in the room. My mind is moving a million miles a minute as I process where I am.
Life has changed so much for me since meeting Marshall. I still struggle with the guilt, but Travis has been gone for over a year, and I’m lonely. I know I’m not doing anything wrong, but I have my moments where I feel as though I am.
“She’s out,” Marshall whispers.
“She is,” I agree, glancing down at my daughter. “Let me put her down.”
“I can do it.”
“I need to change her.”
“I already did.”
I’m not surprised. Marshall is great with her. Having him here and his help and support brings tears to my eyes. “Thank you,” I croak.