Tears filled my eyes watching them. The cold-hearted man I first knew was gone and replaced by this protector who would do anything to care for his child. To care for me.
I sniffled and began to back out to leave them, when his head lifted. He met my eyes, and held out his hand, beckoning me to them. I crossed the room. He drew me close, still moving, and pressed a kiss to my head. He wrapped his arm around me, and we moved, a small family wrapped together in the dark.
“You’re supposed to be sleeping,” he murmured.
“I heard you and came to see what you were doing.”
“She likes it when we dance.”
“You never told me that.”
He shrugged in the dim light. “It’s sort of our thing when she’s really fussy.”
I stroked down her back, smiling at my daughter. She was out now, her cheek pressed to his chest, with her tiny rosebud mouth open. Her long lashes fluttered on her cheek.
“I think it worked.”
“It usually does.”
I tilted my head. “She’s a lucky girl having you as her daddy.”
He smiled down at me, his hazel eyes glittering in the low light. “I’m the lucky one.”
Our gazes locked and held. The air around us grew heavier. Richard’s arm tightened around me. “Katy,” he breathed.
“I saw Suzanne last week.”
“And?”
“We’re all clear.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
I inhaled. “I wasn’t ready.”
“But you are now?”
I stretched up, pressing my lips to his. He had grown a beard while he was at home, and I liked it so much, he kept it when he returned to work. He kept it short and trimmed, but I loved how it felt against my skin as his mouth moved with mine. Our kiss was long, deep, and slow. He groaned low in his chest, then dropped another kiss to my mouth. “Sweetheart?”
I stepped back, knowing now why I was so restless, and exactly how to ease it. I needed Richard.
“This girl needs something, too.”
“Tell me,” he demanded quietly.
“I need you. Put Gracie down, and come back to bed.”
He quirked his eyebrow, grinning widely. He tenderly laid her down, making sure she was content. He ran his hand down her back, his fingers spread wide, staying in place for a moment.
Then he turned to me, and I caught my breath. His sleep pants hung low on his hips, his erection pressing against the material. He stalked across the nursery, reaching out, dragging me to his chest and kissing me hard.
“Are you sure?”
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Yes.”
He swept me up in his arms, his mouth covering mine. “Thank God.”
Our lips never separated. He set me on my feet by our bed, impatiently tugging my nightgown over my head. As the air hit my bare skin, I shivered and crossed my arms over my chest, suddenly feeling shy.
Richard stopped with a frown. “What? What’s wrong?”
“I–I’ve changed a little.” I had stretch marks, and my stomach wasn’t as flat as it used to be. Richard was still lean and hard, his body perfection in my eyes.
He smiled, stepping close, and loosening my arms. “Yes, you have. You’ve gotten even more beautiful.” He ran his finger over my hips, feathering the small stripes along the side. “These are just marks, Katy. They’re part of you, and I love them because of how they got there. You carried my child—our child—and they’re sexy because of that.”
He slid his hands up my body, cupping my breasts. They were fuller now and more sensitive than ever. I moaned as he stroked my nipples. “I’ve missed these. I’ve missed you.” He nudged me onto the bed, hovering over me. “I’ve missed being with you.”
“So have I.” A low gasp escaped my throat as he dragged his mouth across my skin. The feel of his rough scruff on my body was different and amazing.
“Like that?” he asked, rubbing his chin along my stomach. “You like how that feels, sweetheart?”
“Yes.”
He lowered his head. “Then you’re really gonna like this.”Richard
Fuck, it had been so long since we were like this. Together, naked, and ready for each other. I hadn’t wanted to push her and tried to be patient, even though patience wasn’t my strongest trait. The fact she came to me was a huge turn on, and seeing her need, I planned to meet and exceed her desire. She was softer, curvier than before she got pregnant, and I loved how she felt under my hands.
Her low hiss when I buried my face between her legs made me smile against her slick skin. She was so ready for me. I was so fucking ready. Everything about her was as new as it was familiar: her sounds, her taste, the way she moved against my mouth. I teased and licked, groaning at her reactions, making a mental note to keep the beard. Jenna teased me mercilessly at work, but it was worth this effect on my wife. She came hard and fast, her cries low and needy. I sat up with a grin, and settled between her legs. The blunt head of my cock nudged at her entrance, the heat beckoning and welcome.