He stilled, his hands on her thighs. “I’m good with another baby… now that you’ve agreed to my terms and will allow help,” he said with a knowing grin.
Terms. As if her agreeing to support around the house and with their children was such a hardship. He was such a silly, controlling man. If he’d come to her and had the conversation like a rational human, she’d have agreed. But that wasn’t Ian’s way. He liked to impose his will when he thought he was doing what was best for her or his family.
He arched his back and thrust forward, grinding his hips against hers. “Need an answer,” he reminded her through clenched teeth. “Am I pulling out?”
“No,” she groaned, completely okay with rolling the dice on another baby. As long as he kept going. “Fuck me, Ian.”
He didn’t make her wait. He pounded into her, his eyes on hers the entire time. With Ian, it didn’t matter how fast or slow, how hard or soft, each time was special. Each was making love. Each cemented the bond they had between them.
He knew how to make her soar.
He knew how to love her.
And when she climaxed, he came with her on a shout and full body shudder that triggered a second orgasm for her before he eased down on top of her.
* * *
Ian made sure the rest of the weekend passed in an orgasm induced haze for his wife. A butler arrived at the house to cater to their every meal, cocktail, whim and need. They had all the time in the world to focus on each other… to talk, walk on the beach, lay in the sun, soak in the pool, catch up, make love and call home.
Often.
Because at the end of the day, they had a little girl and a baby boy they adored and were worried about and they were a family. And, Ian thought, with a little luck that family was about to grow. He was so damned lucky and he would never take his good fortune for granted.
* * *
A few weeks later, Riley had purchased all the presents for the family and her house was decorated for Christmas. In a little while, Ian’s family was set to descend en masse. She wasn’t nervous, she just anticipated being overwhelmed and if she was going to feel crazed, she was worried Rainey might react as well.
“Come here, princess.”
“What, mommy?” Rainey walked up to her and crawled onto the couch seat beside her.
Riley wrapped an arm around her daughter’s little shoulder. “So remember I told you we have a lot of people coming over today?”
“Yes. All my aunts and uncles and cousins.”
Riley smiled, brushing Rainey’s brown curls, so similar to her own, out of her face. “That’s right. I just want you to know you can come find me for a break any time you want.”
“Are they bringing presents?” Rainey asked.
Riley sighed, doing her best not to laugh. “I don’t know and it’s rude to ask, right?”
Rainey bobbed her head. “Yep. But it’s Christmas so they’re probably bringing me toys!”
Riley rolled her eyes. With the big Christmas tree already loaded with wrapped presents on display in the living room, was it any wonder her daughter expected more gifts? Which was just one reason they were going together to drop off toys at the women’s shelter tomorrow. So her daughter didn’t grow up unaware of what it meant to give to others.
And when her son was old enough, he’d join them on those trips. Right now, he still napped, thank goodness, which was where he was right now. Sleeping in his crib.
“How are my girls?” Ian asked, joining them in the den.
“Daddy!” Rainey ran for him and he scooped her into his arms. “Ready for a big day?” he asked.
Before she could answer, the doorbell rang, indicating the gang had started to arrive.
He carried her to the door and opened it. Riley came up behind him. His step-brother, Alex and his wife Madison were first to arrive. Madison had a casserole dish in her hands and Alex had a huge box with a big red bow. Looks like her daughter was, in fact, going to be loaded up with presents.
“Alex!” she said to the man who’d been her best friend even before she’d met Ian. “Madison! It’s so good to see you. Right?” Riley nudged Ian with her elbow as he put Rainey down.
“Good to see you, man.” Ian shook Alex’s hand. Their truce had come at a hard-won cost thanks to their father’s behavior, but they’d managed it and now got along. Even if they occasionally pretended it was still a hardship.
“Come on in,” Ian said.
Alex paused though, and knelt down to get eye to eye with Rainey. “Someone’s gotten to be a big girl!”
“You just saw her last week,” Riley reminded him.