Except wasn’t that exactly what he now had? A family. A woman. Two boys. That was how he saw them. As his. To protect, to guide, to love.
He hadn’t been acting as though this was temporary. No wonder she was so unsure and guarded.
He couldn’t fucking let them go. It would carve him in two. He waited for a hint of panic. A need to run. It wasn’t there. All he felt was rightness. He breathed in deeply, let it out, then smiled down at Caleb when he started to whimper.
“Okay there, little one?” He looked back over at Aspen, saw her trying to show Jamie how to blow bubbles. His heart filled. No, he couldn’t imagine his life without them in it. But could he really trust himself with them? Other than Jake, he had no family left. Had lost them all. Through death and anger.
But that wouldn’t happen with Aspen. Because he’d would do whatever was necessary to keep them happy and safe. He’d have to watch that he didn’t smother them. He’d have to rely on Aspen to tell him when he’d gone too far.
She was still guarding herself from him even after their scene at the club the other night. He understood why she shut people out. To protect herself. That wasn’t acceptable anymore. And she didn’t have to protect herself.
That was what he was for.
He moved over to her, and reaching out with his free hand grasped the nape of her neck, pulling her in for a kiss. “You know I care about you, right? There’s nothing I love more than spending time with the three of you.”
Her eyes widened, then happiness filled her face. “We love spending time with you as well.”
“The three of you are very important to me. Don’t forget it. And don’t ever think that I don’t want you with me.”
She looked confused, but this didn’t feel like the time for a declaration. She still didn’t fully trust him. He wanted it all.
And he was going to have it.
“Aspen, that was amazing.” Molly rubbed her belly and smiled at her warmly.
Happiness filled her at the words of praise. She really did love cooking for people and when they enjoyed it she felt about ten-feet tall.
“I told you she was an amazing cook, didn’t I?” Saxon said proudly.
She could feel herself blushing at his words. Her insides danced.
Jake patted his flat tummy. “I’m too scared to stand up. I think the button on my jeans might pop off.”
Molly grinned at him. “Suits me just fine.”
He narrowed his gaze, his face set in strict lines, but she thought she saw his lips twitch. So the sheriff did have a sense of humor. He still made her nervous. Too many years of being told by her mother the cops were the enemy, she guessed.
“The honeymoon period isn’t over then?” Saxon asked.
“If you mean do I still want to jump his bones? Why, yes, I do. More each day.” Molly gave her scary husband a look filled with such love it made Aspen’s heart ache.
“Let me just clear these plates. Can I get anyone coffee? Another drink?”
“Oh, let me help,” Molly said, standing.
“You don’t have to,” Aspen replied.
“I want to. You cooked us an amazing meal, let me help clean up. I wish I could fit some more in but I’m stuffed. That crème brûlée . . . oh my God. I could eat that every night, but my butt wouldn’t thank me.”
Jake gave her ass a slap as she reached over to grab some plates. “I like that ass no matter what size it is.”
She turned to him and reached down to kiss him. “I love you.” She turned and followed Aspen into the kitchen, helping her load the dishwasher.
“It sounds like you had a great honeymoon.”
“We did. You know, I came to this town to live out a few fantasies, to tick some things off my bucket list. Instead I found a man I could admire, love and desire more than I can put into words. But I also found a home.”
“I know what you mean,” Aspen said quietly. “This place has a way of sucking you in.”