Chapter 1
Caleb
Stepping in the door, Caleb came to a complete and utter halt with one foot still on the snowy stoop. In front of him, half hidden by a cardboard box, was a familiar silhouette wearing Tamara’s slippers. Mostly, though, all he could see of his wife was her sweet ass.
“Christ.”
She jerked upright, twirling on the spot. The box dropped until it was draped over her shoulders like a misshapen shawl. “Caleb. You scared the hell out of me.”
He eyed her, closing the door as he stepped into the room. “Is this some new viral trend I’m not aware of?”
She frowned before hauling the box over her head. “Oh, this?”
“If it’s fashion, I don’t get it,” he pointed out dryly. “Or if it’s a box, it’s not a very good one.”
“Depends on what you want it for.” Her lips twitched. “It’s perfect for taking pictures in.”
Nope. She’d lost him again. He toed off his boots so he could return to the more important reason that had him hightailing it into the house. “Spotted the kids in the barn.”
“Jinx came over, so Sasha and Emma decided they all needed to go on a kitten hunt with Tyler.”
That was what he’d heard from the group when he met them. Which also meant he knew how little time they had without children in the house.
Caleb reached for the box, examining it closer. “Are those fabric flowers? On the edge of the…?” He shook his head. It didn’t matter that his wife was doing something strange with boxes. Not at this moment, anyway. “Never mind.”
He placed the surprisingly sturdy cardboard aside and caught Tamara by the hand.
She raised a brow. “Yes?”
“I need you.”
She looked around then checked the wall clock. “Okay. What for?”
Fighting a laugh, Caleb tugged her sharply. She smacked into his body, breasts hitting his chest and hips tight to his. She stayed there because he instantly put a hand to her lower back and pinned her in place.
Amusement danced over her face. “Well, now. Let me rephrase that. Where do you need me?”
As much as he wished they could drop everything, being responsible adults meant escorting her down the hall to the bedroom, just in case the kitten hunt got called off early. “You don't mind me interrupting your rousing activity with the cardboard box?”
Tamara twisted to walk backward so she could tug his shirt free from his jeans and help him strip it over his head. “Boxy will be there when I'm ready for him.”
“You named it?” Caleb crowded her in the door, closed and locked it, then pressed her against the solid wood. “That's all sorts of wrong.”
Tamara cupped his face in her hands, lowering her chin and offering her best sultry stare. “You really want to talk about cardboard boxes right now?”
“Hell, no. Far better uses for our mouths.”
He kissed her, a soft caress of his lips over hers. Returning a second time, nipping at her lower lip. Smiling as she sighed and softened under him, threading her fingers through his hair then dancing over his shoulders.
Familiar, not boring. Their sexual adventures might have changed over the past six years, but they hadn’t gotten any less satisfying. He kissed her again, adjusting his thigh between her legs and rocking slightly.
Another sigh from her. A sudden gasp as he cupped her ass and lifted slightly, adding pressure to her core.
“You’re dangerous, Caleb Stone.”
“You’re mine.” The words came out more growly than he’d intended, but it was true, no matter what.
Tamara pressed a hand between them, rubbing the ridge of his cock. “Bed? Or right here?”
“Here.” He shoved off her jeans in answer, dropping to his knees. Here at least to start.
The next minutes passed in a blur as Caleb enjoyed himself immensely.
They moved from the wall to the floor, from the floor to the bed.
Tamara softly cursed a few times, but mostly her noises let him know exactly what she was enjoying this go round by moaning or adjusting his fingers into a different position.
She’d already had an orgasm before he took her from behind, curling his arms around her to keep their torsos tightly together until he lost his mind and Tamara shook under him.
Collapsing, he was thankful they’d made it to the bed.
Still panting, she rolled to face him, a wide grin in place as she stroked the hair off his forehead. “That was a nice afternoon surprise.”
“For me, too,” Caleb assured her. He watched her face, fascinated as always that he still had more to learn about her. More ways to show her how much she meant to him. “Seven months until Tyler starts school.”
Her lips twitched. “I love that kiddo to pieces, but I also have a timer set in my head. No children around all day long? It’s going to be a big adjustment.”
“I’ll do my best to help you pass the time,” Caleb offered.
“Very generous. I look forward to taking you up on that.” Tamara nodded slowly. “Every step of the way there have been things to enjoy. Raising the girls, having Tyler. Being your wife.” She stroked his cheek. “Being your lover.”
“You’re more beautiful now than when I fell in love with you.” Caleb caught her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. “I’m not only saying that because we just had sex, either.”
She laughed. “I can honestly tell you that’s one of the things I love about you. I have never had a doubt about how much you enjoy my body. But I know you enjoy my company, too, even when sex isn’t on the table.”
“Or the door, or the floor, or the—”
Tamara patted him on the chest. “Even those places. Turkey.”
“I love you.” He said it the way he tried to every single time. With his full concentration and his whole heart.
She touched their noses together and happy-sighed in his face. “Love you, too.”
By the time they’d gotten dressed and headed back to the kitchen, Caleb was eyeing his watch. If they were lucky, they had maybe five minutes before the kids would be back in the house. “Need help with supper since I messed with your prep time?”
“Shoot. I forgot to tell you.” Tamara picked up the box again and began taping the flaps open. “We’re headed to Karen and Finn’s for supper. Followed by some mischief-making.”
“It wouldn’t be a trip to one of your sister’s without mischief.
No problem.” Caleb leaned on the island and watched Tamara tape bright red hearts to the edge of the box.
She’d tell him more about what that was all about when she was ready.
For now, another question was more important. “Is Jinx coming with us?”
Tamara paused. “I hadn’t thought of asking, but there’s no reason why she can’t. It’s not a bad idea. Karen won’t mind, and Sasha would love it.”
“Jinx is a good kid.” Caleb hesitated, glancing out the window to make sure no one was about to step inside. “I’m glad Declan stopped by and told us what’s going on over at the animal shelter, though. I had my suspicions it wasn’t cut and dried, but I was leaning toward something more sinister.”
“Me, too.” Tamara paused, resting the box on the island. “The Skyes are good people, Caleb. Their hearts are in the right place, and they’re trying to make a difference. I get it. Sometimes doing things a little sideways is what’s needed.”
Caleb examined her carefully. “You’re thinking about the past. The news you shared with your friend even though it wasn’t professionally allowed by the medical system.”
Tamara answered slowly. “Not following the rules cost me, but in the end, one thing led to another and I’m exactly where I need to be.
” She closed the distance between them, laying a hand on his arm.
“I lost my job in Rocky but found you and the girls. I found my home. So yeah, colouring outside the box doesn’t bother me that much. ”
“Agreed.” Outside, he could see the rest of the family approaching. “Anything I need to do to get the horde ready to head to Karen’s?”
“Oh, yes.” Tamara picked up the box and wiggled it in the air. “We need to get ready for Boxy.”