Laya
LAYA
After sleeping for what felt like hours, I woke up to Romeo feeding. I smiled up at Owen while he watched on at my son nursing.
Then Owen drew a bath for me, and Romeo and I bathed while he went back to work in his office after telling me he only had so much self-restraint.
When I get out of the bath, there is another one of his fresh T-shirts lying on the bed for me. I search the drawers for panties and quickly dress before putting a fresh diaper on Romeo and dressing him in a cute little romper with a dinosaur on the front.
Then I take a deep breath and decide I’m finally ready to stomach some food.
“Come on, little man, let’s get Mommy fed.”
I lift Romeo into my arms and inhale his soft baby scent. Then I head downstairs toward the sound of Owen’s voice.
“We’re coming to visit tomorrow, Steph. Yes, she’s fine. I promise.” My pulse races at his use of my mother’s name as I push open the office door.
His bright-blue eyes land on me and glimmer with love and security, then his eyes slowly roam down my body as he spins in his chair to face me fully. He’s wearing joggers and a white T-shirt and no shoes or socks. He looks fucking edible, and I can’t help but appreciate the way his thigh muscles pull his joggers to capacity. The man is a powerhouse, and I wish for nothing more but to feel him between my thighs.
He clears his throat, and it’s only now I realize he’s ended the call. A slow smirk spreads over his face as if hearing my wayward thoughts.
My cheeks heat, and I flick my eyes away.
“Don’t be shy, baby girl. You can eye-fuck me all you want.”
I roll my eyes and finally meet his gaze again. The humor behind them makes me shake my head. He always was cocky but never openly reacted to my flirting. Not like now. Now it’s like everything is no longer off-limits. It’s like the invisible force field he always had between us has come down and he’s finally allowing him to be himself.
“Go put Romeo in his bouncer, then come here.” His firm demand has my eyes flitting around the room until they land on a bouncer with stuffed animals hanging from above. Warmth fills me. The fact he has adjusted his office to accommodate Romeo only makes me love him more.
Walking over to the bouncer, I feel Owen’s eyes on me. “You were talking to my mom?”
“Yeah, baby.”
I strap Romeo into the bouncer and set a soft lullaby to play, and his eyes begin to flutter closed.
“When can I see her?”
“Pretty sure you heard me tell her tomorrow.” He lifts an eyebrow at me, and I bite on my lip as anxiety ripples through my veins. Will they accept me and Owen?
“Come here.” He pats his thigh, and I move toward him, always so eager to please him.
As soon as I’m in reach, he pulls me by his T-shirt and lifts me onto his lap. “Don’t worry, I told you I have everything handled.”
“Tate?”
Owen’s chest rises, and his body becomes rigid beneath me. “Don’t give a fuck what your brother says.” He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “Besides, we’ll be married. So, he can go fuck himself and so can anyone else who doesn’t like it. They’ll get used to it.” He shrugs.
There’s that word again. Married.
“I …”
His thick hand clasps my thigh, and he adjusts me on his lap until I’m straddling him. Then he places his finger to my lips. “Don’t wanna hear it. We’re getting married today.” My eyebrows shoot up. “Gonna solidify our future, . We’re getting married, and my baby will be growing in your belly, baby girl, just like how it always should have been. Then when all this shit is settled, I’ll give you a big wedding, if that’s what you want.”
“A renewal?”
“Know all about your wedding, Pinterest thing.” He smiles smugly.
“You do?”
His lip twitches. “I do.” Then he leans forward and kisses my neck, sending goose bumps scattering over my skin. “Know that fucker didn’t give it to you. Let me have this today, then we’ve got the rest of our lives to make it whatever you want.”
His soft lips derail my thoughts as I stretch my neck to give him access while I rest my hands on his knees behind me.
“Why does it have to be so soon?”
“I want it cemented. Official. I want to go to your family and tell them it’s done.” I press down on his hardness as he nips at my skin. “Besides that, our marriage will bring you protection. Nobody will ever consider touching you when they know we’re married.”
My blood runs cold, and I still.
Slowly, I lift my head to face him.
“Am I in danger? Is Romeo in danger?”
He chuckles, and I want to smash him between the eyes at finding humor in this, given the circumstances. “No, baby girl.”
“Those men …”
His face hardens. “Are done. They’re fucking done.” The determination in his voice leaves no room for argument. Then he grips my chin and holds my gaze. “Trust me.”
The finality pours from him in waves, and I’ve no choice but to accept it and, like always, I do because it’s Owen.
“Now grind that little pussy on my cock, baby girl.” He glances at his watch. “You’re going to be Mrs. Stevens in a few hours and need time to get ready.” My mouth falls open at his words, and he throws his head back on a laugh, then takes my hips in his thick hands and encourages me to grind against him. When his eyes meet mine, they’re full of lust. “Make us come, baby girl.”
And I want nothing more than to do just that.