Christmas Hearts (Storm MC Reloaded 2.50)

“Daddy! Daddy!” Meredith’s voice sounds from the garage.

King pulls out of me and we quickly clean up before leaving the bathroom.

He’s barely stepped foot in the garage when Meredith flings herself at him. Travis follows suit and attaches himself to one of his father’s legs. Cade isn’t far behind, but now that he’s seven, he’s more restrained and holds himself back. But it’s clear in his eyes he’s relieved to see his father home.

Brynn enters the garage and looks at me apologetically. Moving closer, she says softly, “I tried to keep them upstairs.”

I smile. “Thanks.” With one last look at King and the kids, I say to her, “Let’s go get dinner on the table.”

I’m surrounded by nearly all my family tonight. Robbie begged to be allowed to have dinner with his girlfriend’s family, and Annika and her family are with her husband’s parents, but everyone else is here. Tomorrow we’ll celebrate with the club, our extended family. And if it’s the last thing I do, I’ll push all my current worries from my mind and focus on the good in our life. My kids are safe and happy, and my husband is home. And that’s everything I need.

3

Lily

* * *

Stepping out of the shower, I reach for my towel and dry myself off. Not that I really need to, the stifling heat that’s still heavy in the air even at 1:00 a.m. is enough to do that job for me. And I thought the air con had been fixed. Turned out, it hasn’t, and halfway through dinner, it stopped working again.

Dressing in the sheer red baby-doll I bought for tonight, I head out to the back deck and down the stairs to where King’s building the swing set. He came out here about two hours ago after everyone left and has refused to let me help.

He stops when he hears me and glances up, his eyes going straight to my breasts. Eight years have passed since we met, and every time he looks at me like this still feels like the first time. I didn’t have this in my first marriage, and I thank God daily that I have it with King. Even when he’s pissing me off so damn much I could do damage to him.

“How much longer do you think until you’ll be done?” I ask when I reach him.

“Half an hour. Maybe.”

“You should let me help. We’ll get it done quicker.”

“No. Go to bed. You’re exhausted.”

“And you’re not? Besides, there’s no way either of us are sleeping tonight and you know that.” A shot of desire races through me at the thought.

“Lily,” he starts, his voice all bossy and gruff like he’s about to order me around. I cut him off, though; I’m in no mood to be bossed. Not unless it’s in the bedroom.

“You’ve been away for three weeks and that quick fuck earlier comes nowhere near touching my need for you. Just let me help already so I can have you.”

His nostrils flare and he reaches out to take hold of my neck. “You’re not fucking helping me. You’ve run this place for three weeks without me; the least I can fucking do is build a swing set.”

“It’s not like you’ve sat on your ass for three weeks doing nothing. We’re a team, King. I didn’t have kids with you thinking shit would be easy all the time.”

“Yeah, but you sure as fuck didn’t have kids with me thinking you’d go through a year like the one we’re having.”

I frown. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m just trying to get you—”

“Bullshit. Something’s off. First you tell me you missed me. Twice. You never tell me that. And now you’re doing everything but fucking me, and we both know that is not like you at all. Talk to me.”

His fingers dig into my skin as he squeezes my neck. “I’ve thought of your cunt every fucking day I’ve been away. Fucking you is the highest fucking priority I have right now, but for once in my life, I’m trying to think of someone other than myself.” He slides his free hand under the hem of my baby-doll. “I’ve never seen you so tired, and what I want to do to you will wipe you the fuck out.” He skims his hand up my body over my stomach to my breasts before growling, “The only thing off with me is that I’m holding myself back from slamming my dick so fucking hard inside you that it’ll break you.”

Oh God.

I want to finish the conversation I began, because I don’t believe there’s nothing wrong with him, but when he talks filthy to me and puts his hands on me, I’m helpless but to go along for the ride. Especially when he’s giving me what I’m starving for.

“Wipe me out, King,” I beg, desperate for him to fuck me exactly how he mentioned. “Stop holding yourself back.”

“Fuck, Lily,” he growls, looking torn. “It’s fucking Christmas tomorrow and the last thing I want is you too exhausted for the kids.”