Legacy (Steel Brothers Saga 14)

“I’m sorry about last night, Daphne.”

“Don’t be,” I echoed.

“I was beat. I’m still beat, but it’s five. Rise and shine and all that.”

I nodded.

“How long until he’s done?”

“Until he falls asleep.” I looked down. Joe’s eyes were closed. “Sometimes I just sit in here after he falls asleep, holding him close like this. It’s calming. Settling.”

Brad sighed. “I haven’t given you much calming lately.”

“No.”

Did he expect me to deny it?

“I love you, baby.”

“I love you too.”

“Come to bed with me.”

“The baby…”

He lifted a sleeping Joe from my arms and planted him in his crib. Then he took my hand and helped me out of the rocker. “Come on. Please.”

I followed, smiling.

I’d do anything for my husband, forgive him anything.

Anything.

“We’re going to make up for lost time,” Brad said as he laid me gently on our bed. “I’m going to touch, kiss, and lick every inch of your beautiful body, wife.”

My breasts tingled and my nipples hardened. All over, my skin erupted in icy prickles as warmth coursed between my legs.

Only months had passed, but I felt like a virgin yearning for the first touch from the man I adored.

“God, please,” I whispered.

“Anything you want, baby. Whatever you want. I want what you want.”

“Just kiss me.”

His lips came down on mine.

I opened for him, letting the velvet of his tongue twirl against my own. It started as a gentle kiss, an exploring kiss, but soon it was a mass of lips, teeth, and gums.

It was a ferocious kiss, a kiss too long denied.

I poured all my love for Brad into that kiss, all my longing, all my desire.

All my complete devotion to him and our family.

He trailed his hand under my lacy nightie, grabbing one breast. It tingled as a drop of milk leaked out.

Wait.

I squirmed.

This was wrong.

Those breasts weren’t Brad’s anymore. They were—

He pinched a nipple, and I bucked beneath him.

Still his.

They had a dual purpose now.

He broke the kiss and trailed his lips over my jawline and neck. “So beautiful,” he groaned. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too,” I whispered.

“I want to make this good for you,” he said, “but I can’t wait, baby. I just can’t.”

He turned over quickly, releasing me, and disrobed in what seemed like two seconds.

Then he was inside me, thrusting, thrusting, thrusting…

The completeness, the utter wonder.

I’d nearly forgotten.

Then—

“God!” He plunged in deeply, releasing.

And it was over.

What I’d anticipated for so long was simply over.

Turned out I didn’t have to worry about whether my breasts belonged to Brad or the baby. After a single grope, he’d gotten on with his fucking.

For that was what it had been.

A fucking.

This hadn’t been lovemaking.

It had been a fuck, pure and simple.

“Brad…”

“Hmm?” He rolled off me and covered his eyes with his arm.

I need more. The words hovered on the tip of my tongue.

I’ve missed you. I’ve missed us.

Finally, I spoke.

“Nothing.”

Chapter Fifty-Five

Brad

My beautiful wife deserved better than a wham, bam, thank you, ma’am.

Once I began, though, I couldn’t stop myself. A pure physical reaction had taken over when my mind had raced toward the information I’d uncovered during my last trip.

Anything to chase away the thoughts. I’d had to get inside her, fuck her. Use her.

I wasn’t proud of myself at the moment. Indeed, I hadn’t been proud of myself since I’d found out my father was alive over two months ago and had been keeping his secret.

I had no choice, though.

For Daphne. For my child. For my mother.

Everything I did was for them.

The bed rustled as Daphne got up. “I’m going to shower. Then see to the baby.”

Daphne in the shower, her lush body wet as trickles of water dribbled over her.

The sight in my mind’s eye made my cock twitch again. I could go with her, fuck her again against the shower wall while the warmth of the pelting water rained down on us. She would let me.

No.

She deserved better. I’d let her shower in peace, and tonight, I’d arrange for us to have a romantic dinner alone. We’d go out. Or I could send my mother out. Either way, I’d make it happen.

I rose and dressed quickly. Time to get to the office.

“What did you find out?” I said into the phone.

“Did you do what I asked?” my father said. “Make sure there’s no bug on your office line?”

“I did.”

“Good work.” He cleared his throat. “She’s getting out.”

“Fuck.”

“They can’t keep her there any longer. She’s been a model patient.”

“She’s conning them.”

“Maybe so.”

“What about Pelletier?”

“That’s part of the issue. He thinks I’m dead, so he feels the threat is gone.”

Apparently he hadn’t taken my guns comment seriously. Who could blame him? I wasn’t George Steel, and I’d told him his life wouldn’t be in danger. Besides, Dr. Pelletier was doing wonders for Daphne. I needed him.

I’d known this day would come. I’d been hoping Wendy might do something horrible to prolong her commitment, but I hadn’t held my breath. She was too smart for that.