Just One Thing (The Alexanders 6)

Katie cried out helplessly as her orgasm took hold, dropping her hands to his chest to stabilize herself while she rode out the waves of pleasure. Bennett kept his eyes on her the whole time, the sight of her coming so intensely arousing that it brought him down with her. He moaned as his own orgasm coiled low and then unleashed, wringing every last bit of strength from him.

Katie collapsed on his chest, panting softly. He grabbed the sheet and threw it over them both. He was suddenly exhausted after a night spent worrying over whether she would forgive him. He patted her back gently, reminding himself that she was there with him and would be there when he woke up.

She must have felt the same because she rubbed her face against his chest and sighed. “I’m so glad you came to get me.”

“Me too. Now sleep, sweetheart. I know you’re tired.”

As she drifted off, Bennett knew that she was still worried about a multitude of things but he vowed to show her that the promises he’d made to her were solid.

He fell asleep with visions of how he wanted the next few months to pan out. Now that he had his mission, he wouldn’t rest until he’d achieved his objective.

To show Katie what it meant to be truly and completely loved.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

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One month later…

Bennett watched Katie wiping down the counter in her kitchen. He’d offered to help but she’d shooed him into the living room where Hunter and Matthew were watching television along with Chris and Jase. Katie was babysitting so Ridley and Jackson could have a little break. Jackson had described baby Zane as being able to sleep while simultaneously screaming his head off so the new parents were both exhausted.

Although Bennett wasn’t sure what his little brother was talking about because Zane was sleeping in his arms just fine.

“I can’t believe it. You got him to sleep.” Katie appeared at his elbow, looking down at the sleeping baby in awe. “How did you do that?”

Bennett shrugged, not wanting to speak aloud and possibly wake up Zane. Moving carefully, he walked up the stairs and into the guest room Katie had set up for the baby. She’d set up the crib Matthew had used since she’d never gotten rid of it, and Bennett approached it with all the caution he’d use when handling liquid nitrogen.

Katie had followed him and she tiptoed forward to lower the side of the crib for him. Slowly, carefully, Bennett settled the sleeping baby on his back in the middle of the crib. He’d been so nervous before tonight that he’d read up on infant safety so he already knew not to cover the baby with any blankets or sheets. Instead, he raised the side of the crib and let out a sigh of relief when it latched silently.

With a triumphant smile for Katie, he walked back into the hallway. She closed the door behind them.

“Well done, Mr. Alexander. I’m impressed. It takes a special touch to put a cranky baby to bed.”

Bennett was pretty impressed with himself. It took a lot of trust for Jackson and Ridley to allow someone to care for their children and he knew that it was the highest of compliments that they trusted Bennett with their son. Katie’s presence had a lot to do with that, he knew, but it was still an honor. And one that had him thinking.

He pulled Katie into his arms. “Do you ever think about having more kids??

??

Katie froze and he could feel the tension in her body. He didn’t allow her to pull back and eventually she relaxed, resting her head on his chest.

“I do. Sometimes. I always wanted a big family but then after a while I stopped wishing for that.”

Bennett held her tighter. Over the last few months, he’d been relentless in his mission to court her. It was an old-fashioned concept but then again, he was an old-fashioned kind of guy. He wanted Katie to know how serious he was about working toward a life together so he’d worked hard to insinuate himself into every aspect of her life. From helping out with the kids, to bringing her flowers and little gifts to show her his feelings, to encouraging her to go after her own dreams, which recently included working part-time with a local mid-wife.

His goal was to show Katie that he loved her wholeheartedly and that her happiness was important to him. Soon it would be time to show her exactly what it meant to be the owner of his heart. Waiting for the perfect moment was getting harder and harder. Because if his Katie wanted children, then damn it all, he wanted to give them to her.

“What about you?” Katie asked. “Do you want children?”

“Absolutely. As many as possible.”

Katie laughed softly. “That’s a little scary. How many are we talking here?”

Bennett figured this was one of those times when blunt honesty might not be the best route. He was pretty sure that if he said he wanted five that she’d run away screaming. So he exercised his newfound diplomacy skills that Katie had been helping him develop over the last few months.

“I’ll be happy with whatever happens as long as it’s with you.”

She patted his chest. “Good answer, babe. You’re getting good at this. Sorry if I was a little intense. It’s a bittersweet thing for me. After all, I’ve been blessed with two amazing kids but I failed at the most important part, finding a father who would appreciate them.”