The Gallery (Contemporary Reverse Harem 4)

“Don’t worry,” I whispered. “Pretty much nothing can wake her once she’s down for the night.”

“Does she sleep all the way through?”

I took her hand to lead her from the room. I had other things on my mind, things that could not take place in a baby’s room.

“She sleeps through the night now. In fact, she will straight through ‘til when the nanny arrives in the morning. I’ve been lucky that way.”

I closed Ruby’s door lightly behind us, and Avril and I settled into the living room sofa with our wine after making sure the baby monitor was close by.

“Do you mind if I ask about Ruby’s mom?”

She could ask or do anything she wanted to me. I would never be able to say no to this woman. “Her mom is not in the picture. She left right after the baby was born. Told me I was on my own, and said goodbye.”

“Oh my god, Chase. That’s incredible.”

The compassion in her eyes just about killed me.

I swirled wine around my glass. “It was hard. It still is hard. But you know how they say the worst thing that happens to you can also be the best?” Goddamn if I didn’t feel a lump in my throat. I took a swig of my wine to swallow it away.

Avril nodded slowly.

“It was all for the best. I don’t want Ruby to have a reluctant or uncommitted mother. That would hurt her more than the day when she’s old enough to realize her mother didn’t want her.”

Avril squeezed my hand. “I’m sorry.”

“Thank you.” The sincerity in her words that was such a contrast to the bullshit Minette had just tried to lay on me. It was uncanny.

Warmth worked its way through me, easing the tension that telling the story of Ruby’s mother had brought up. I popped up to get us more wine, when the door buzzed again. I pressed the intercom buzzer.

“Hello?”

“Hey, buddy. I’m downstairs.”

“Come on up.” I buzzed my building’s front door open.

“Was that Sumner?”

“Yep,” I said, returning to the sofa.

“Oh, cool. But why is he coming over?” she asked, beyond puzzled.

“Well, he wasn’t doing anything tonight, and we thought we’d surprise you.”

The question mark clouding her face was replaced by a sexy look that told me we might be on the same page.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” I murmured, and I leaned toward her.

Placing a hand behind her head, I pulled her in to meet my kiss. She smelled of light perfume and expensive red wine, and her lips were sexy and pliable beneath mine.

Shit, I didn’t want to stop, but I heard Sumner approaching. Not that I had to stop for him, but someone had to open the damn door.

“More of this later, baby,” I said, kissing her on the forehead.

“Hey, Sum. C’mon in,” I said, welcoming my friend.

‘Thanks, dude,” Sumner said, his tall frame just fitting under the doorjamb.

He spied Avril on the sofa and made a beeline for her.