“Well, nursing might not be.”
“If she’s running the day care, I can see the benefits of having a nurse on staff,” he muses.
“That’s why she wants to be a nurse; she saw the benefit as well. However, a lot has changed in her life so that might not be her dream anymore.”
“You don’t know?” Royce raises his eyebrows at me.
“Last we discussed it, nursing was a pipe dream for her.”
“Well, if she chooses nursing, the company will take care of it.”
“But not 100 percent. The policy doesn’t give specifics, but I checked with human resources. We pay 50 percent.”
“We’ll figure it out.”
“Whatever happens, if it doesn’t fall into the realm of Riggins reimbursement qualifications, then give the bill to me.”
Royce nods. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Thanks, man.” Rising to my feet, I walk to the door. “You were right,” I tell him. “It just wasn’t my time. I was waiting for Wren.”
He nods. “I understand that. Glad you found her.”
“Me too.” I turn and walk out of his office. Glancing at my watch, I curse. I wanted to stop in and say hi to Madeline and Wren before leaving for my meeting, but if I do that, I’m going to be late. I hate to be late, especially for a business meeting. I guess I’ll just have to get my fix when we’re at home tonight.
Chapter 24
Wren
My eyes flutter open at the feel of his hand on my bare belly. “Merry Christmas, baby,” Marshall says huskily.
“Merry Christmas,” I reply. I try to roll over to face him, but his hold is tight.
“Let me love you,” he whispers. At first, I’m confused until he lifts my leg and slides inside me. “You’re my present,” he murmurs, trailing kisses down my neck and over my bare shoulder.
Goose bumps break out against my skin at the feel of his hot breath. “This is definitely not a present I’ll be returning,” I pant as he thrusts deeper. His movements are slow as he lazily pumps in and out of me. It’s delicious torture that I would happily wake up to every single day.
“More.” My words are a whisper into our quiet bedroom. We’ve gotten good at being quiet so we don’t wake Madeline. He tightens his hold on me, and my back is aligned with his front. The warmth of his skin seeps into me. His face is buried in my neck, and all I can do is feel, with my hand gripping his forearm that’s holding me close to him.
“I’m so close, baby.” Marshall’s lips are right next to my ear. “Touch yourself. I’m not going without you.”
Not needing to be told twice, I slide my hand between my legs, and that first touch sends a jolt of lightning through my veins. “Oh,” I moan from deep in the back of my throat. Closing my eyes, I get lost in the moment. My breathing accelerates and another low, deep moan erupts from my chest. I’m close, so close to falling over the edge.
“Now. Come for me now,” Marshall growls as his body grows stiff and stills behind me.
His grip on my thigh is so tight it’s painful, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love knowing I can make him lose control.
“That is the best way to wake up,” he says, kissing my neck. He doesn’t move as he peppers my neck and shoulder with kisses. “Now that I have my gift, it’s time to get Maddie up to give her hers.” He holds me for a few more seconds that feel like minutes, before pulling out and loosening his hold.
I smile, thinking about the mountain of presents downstairs underneath our tree. “You went overboard,” I tell him, throwing off the covers and heading to the bathroom to clean up.
“It’s her first Christmas,” he defends, standing to follow after me.
“I’m using the restroom.” I laugh.
“I have to take care of this.” He motions toward the condom he’s just slid off.
I wrinkle up my nose because… ew. I mean, I know they keep us safe and prevent pregnancy, but the aftermath is bleh. We don’t even need them. “We don’t even need them,” I blurt.
He stops talking and tilts his head to the side. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying we don’t even need those.” I point to the trash can. “I’m on the pill, remember?” I ask. “I never miss,” I add just in case he needs the reassurance.
“Are you telling me I’ve had a barrier between us all this time, and we don’t even need it?”
I shrug. “Oops.”
“Oh, you’re going to get it,” he says, stalking toward me.
I take off running into the bedroom and dive on the bed, sliding under the covers. He bounces on top of me. He rips the cover out of my hold and begins to tickle me. I squirm and wiggle under him until I’m laughing so hard I have to pee. Again. “Mercy!” I shout, and he stops.