“She’s asleep?” Wes asked .
“For now.” I sighed .
“Come here.” He folded me in his arms as I sank into the couch to join him .
I thought pulling long shifts at the hospital was exhausting, but nothing compared to all-nighters with this little one .
I had gone back to work part-time two weeks ago, and I was still trying to figure out how to balance the sleep deprivation. This was a completely different level. I was sure my patients wouldn’t be interested to know I was running on fumes .
“Let me take that.” Wes wiggled the monitor from my hands. “She’s a pretty cute kid, Doc .”
I smiled. “She is, isn’t she ?”
He nodded. “A year ago we were at the Super Bowl and now look at us .”
“Yeah, we have a four-month old who runs our lives .”
Wes laughed. His broad chest shaking as he held me closer .
I traced my fingers over his wide knuckles, drawing strength from his hands. I circled over the Super Bowl ring he wore on his right hand. It was ornate, encrusted with diamonds and the team name with champs engraved under a dark blue stone .
I thought about what Wes had put himself through to get that ring. The lies, the deceit, the injections. The center stone was smooth under my fingertips .
“How upset are you that we’re not in Miami for the game tonight?” I looked into his green eyes, knowing I’d be able to read anything that wasn’t the full truth .
His fingers laced through the back of my head. “I’m not giving up on another Super Bowl. But, this wasn’t the season .”
I twisted my lips together. “You didn’t answer the question .”
“We made it to the playoffs. Besides, I get to watch the game with you tonight .”
I studied the crease in his brow. I knew I was pushing him. He was upset he wasn’t there. He wanted to defend his championship status. More than anything I think he wanted to prove to both of us he could win without cheating .
But I had come to realize that over the past year. Wes was the kind of man who wanted to win, but something he had changed. The first time he held Charlotte I could see it. He wanted to be a different kind of man. He wanted to be a father she could be proud of. She was his chance to start a new chapter in his life. One that included honesty .
“What time are your parents coming over for the game?” I asked .
It was my idea to invite them. We spent every Sunday together in Wes’s box. It seemed fitting we would watch the Super Bowl together. They couldn’t get enough of Charlotte .
Wes looked at his watch. “We still have two hours.” He waggled his eyebrows. “And the baby’s asleep .”
I was exhausted to the deepest parts of my bones. My muscles were weary. I could barely keep my eyes open. But with one look Wes had awakened every nerve in my body. The hammering in my chest made my breathing quicken .
“But you have to be very quiet, Doc.” He pressed a finger to my lips .
I nodded. “I can do that .”
“Are you sure?” He smiled wickedly. “Because I don’t plan on gentle fucking .”
My knees shook, and there was a quivering in my core that was already spiraling. Yes, that’s what I needed. I needed him to take me to bed and remind me I was his. That despite the whirlwind we had been swept up in this past year, I was still his .
“God, yes,” I whispered in his ear .
He lifted me from the couch as his mouth descended on my lips. I sucked greedily, wanting him to know that I wanted everything he could give me .
He laid me on the bed, stripping my jeans over my hips. His eyes flickered with lust .
“God, you’re fucking beautiful .”