“You bring that up again, it’ll be a long time before you get anything from this sweet ass.” I swat his shoulder and reply quietly, not wanting to relive the ridicule from everyone.
“You wouldn’t dare.” He smiles arrogantly, daring me to argue.
“It’s called resistance… I’m learning.”
His brows draw together, his eyes holding mine.
I burst out laughing because we both know he’s right.
Mathis
Christmas Night
“Claire, get your ass in here.”
Soft fur tickles my side as the puppy jolts at my voice. He uncurls himself, crawls halfway up my chest, and promptly closes his eyes again. The distinct sound of a camera clicks, and I glance up to find Claire with her phone pointed at us as she types furiously.
“What are you doing now?”
“Uploading the newest addition to our family with hashtag Bennett babes.”
“I thought we stopped that shit.”
“We kinda did, but all the fans of hashtag heartthrob hottie are dying for an update.”
I roll my eyes and point to the empty space in the bed. She drops her phone on the nightstand and crawls in, cuddling up to my vacant side and bracing an elbow on my chest to face me. “I thought today went well.”
“It was perfect like I knew it would be.”
“We were lucky the weather was nice, so the kids could play on the beach.”
“Yep.”
“Why are you grouchy?”
“Are you seriously asking me that?” I dart my eyes to the sleeping puppy and back to her.
“You don’t like him?”
“Baby, I told you I wanted a baby and you gave me a puppy.”
Her blue eyes dance with humor, and she bites her lower lip to keep from smiling.
“You think it’s funny. Everyone thinks it’s funny. My fucking brothers think it’s hilarious and enjoyed razzing the shit out of me today.”
“It’ll pass. Besides, this cute little guy will help satisfy your urge for a while.”
She can play coy all she wants, but she’s not getting out of this. I tap her arm to slide back, then knife off the bed, carrying the dog to his crate in the corner. Once he’s secure, I climb back in bed and haul her on top of me. “Let’s have this conversation again.”
“What conversation? The one where you inform me it’s time to try for a child while our house is finally completed, I’m working with movers, packing like a wild woman, shopping for a zillion people, and trying to decorate and plan the perfect Christmas for our first holiday in our beachfront castle?”
What she says sinks in, and I recognize where I went wrong. The three weeks leading up to today have flown by in a whirlwind. Even with all the women in our lives, she took the brunt of getting us settled the best way possible. Not to mention, she’s still working full time. My arms link around her waist, and I press up to kiss her softly. “Maybe I didn’t handle it right the first time.”
“You think?” she huffs.
“Let me try this again. I’ve never resented my brothers until recently. Every time I watch you with Brayden, Brinley, and Kayla, a spark of envy rolls through me. You’re gorgeous anytime, but when you are with those children, you are breathtaking. It’s natural for you. We’ve had a lot going on, but now is our time. I want to try for a family.”
I know I’ve gotten through when she slides her hands up my throat, circles my neck, and drops her forehead to mine. The resistance is gone and replaced with a radiant glow. “I have some conditions, non-negotiable.” The familiar snark edges into her voice.