“How will he get here?”
Aiden and Ronan laughed. “Someone comes and goes from here every day,” Ronan said. “I can bring him out here to my dad, and we can hang out while you’re at work. Come on the weekend. We’ll figure it out.”
Gratitude and relief tore through me. The thought of the chance of Evan being able to walk better, be in less pain. Without thinking, I flung my arms around Aiden’s neck and hugged him. His returned embrace was firm, comforting, and warm. The perfect dad hug.
“I have to do something,” I insisted, still hugging him.
Aiden pulled back with a grin. “I love cake.”
I matched his smile. “Then you have a deal.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Beth
“I had the best day ever, Beth.” Evan grinned, fighting the exhaustion bearing down on him. He’d had a session with Aiden, swam in the pool, talked to every BAM man, and picked Paul’s brain about the green project they were working on. He’d eaten more than I had ever seen him eat, laughed often, and had exhausted himself so much, he was struggling to stay awake. He’d fallen asleep in the car, and Ronan had carried him inside, laying him on his bed. He woke long enough to brush his teeth before crawling back on the mattress.
I brushed back the hair on his head and kissed his forehead. “I’m glad.”
“They have a family,” he mumbled. “I like them.”
Ronan spoke behind me. “They liked you, bud. Everyone liked you.”
Evan’s eyes drifted shut. “I like you, Ronan. You’re the best big brother I could ever dream of,” he mumbled, his voice getting quieter as he slipped back into sleep.
I glanced over my shoulder, meeting the tear-bright gaze of Ronan. He held out his hand, and I took it, letting him lead me from the room. Lucy was asleep in her room already, not even stirring as Liam had carried her inside. Her day had been full, too, with all the attention and activities going on. She had rarely left Liam’s side, although Ronan got a few of her snuggles and kisses she lavishly bestowed on people. I was pretty certain everyone received a few from her today.
We bypassed the living room since Liam and Paige were in there and headed downstairs. In my room, Ronan encircled me in his arms.
“I agree with Evan. Today was the best day.”
“Your family is great.”
“I know. They always are, but somehow you being there today made me feel closer to them.” He ran his nose along mine affectionately. “As strange as that sounds, it’s true.”
“Your dad—all the guys—made Evan feel so special.”
“He is.” He slipped his fingers under my chin, looking down at me. His gaze was tender and soft. “You are as well.” He bent his head and kissed me, his lips ghosting over mine. “So special to me, Beth.” He groaned as I opened for him. “God, I love you.”
There were no more words. With our lips melded together, we slowly discarded our clothing, worshiping the skin that was uncovered. Ronan was gentle as he laid me on my bed, his warm body covering mine. Endlessly, we kissed and touched, neither of us in a hurry. I gasped as he licked my nipples, sucking them to hard peaks under his tongue. He stroked me, teasing my clit until I was begging and ready for him. I ran my hands up and down his broad back, marveling at the strength of his muscles. I licked at his neck and bit down on the lobe of his ear, liking his response. The way his arms tightened, how his cock felt as I reached between us and stroked him, the heat and heaviness of him perfect in my hand. I guided him to my center, and he hovered over me with a frown.
“No condom?”
“I’m on birth control. It’s been years for me.” I knew he’d been tested and was clean. All I wanted was to feel him—just him—inside me. Moving. Bringing me pleasure. I wanted to give it to him. I wanted him to forget everything and everyone but him and me.
He slid inside slowly, groaning as I closed around him.
“Jesus, you are so perfect. I feel you, baby. So perfect,” he uttered, his neck arched, the muscles taut and straining. “I never knew how good it could feel.”
He began to move. Long, unhurried thrusts, hitting me exactly where I needed him. Waves of pleasure coursed through my body. He kissed me, his tongue mimicking his actions. He groaned and hissed. Made low sounds of satisfaction in his chest. Murmured my name. Whispered he loved me.
I shook and whimpered. I felt his possession, his love, through every inch of my body. The way he held himself in check, careful to not hurt me, but wringing every possible ounce of ecstasy from me as he could. He slipped his fingers between us, using his thumb to draw tight circles around my clit, and I was done. I arched my back as my orgasm hit, my muscles locking down and milking his cock. I rode out the waves of intense fulfillment, chanting his name like a prayer as I came apart under him. One orgasm bled into another, and tears slid down my cheeks at the intensity of our lovemaking.