24. Maggie
MAGGIE
“You’re serious about this?”
“As a heart attack.” Ronin’s lips curled into a sexy smile. “I want you in my house and in my bed, and I want you there tonight and every night after.”
I wanted to say yes. I really did, but I wasn’t sure how Nathan and Samantha would feel about leaving the only home they’d ever known. “I should talk to the kids first and see how they feel about it.”
“I’d be good with it.” I turned and found both Nathan and Samantha standing in the kitchen. “I think it would be fun.”
“Me, too.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, as long as you are,” Nathan answered.
They all three stood silently, waiting eagerly for my response, and before I realized it, I was nodding and saying, “Yes, we will come stay with you.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear.” Ronin looked over at the kids and said, “Go pack a bag and be sure to grab your snow gear. We’ll hit the hill later in the week.”
“Awesome!”
They bolted down the hall and disappeared into their rooms, leaving me alone with Ronin. “We’re really doing this?”
“Looks that way.” He motioned his head towards my room. “You best get to packing. Won’t be long before the kids are packed and ready, and you don’t wanna keep them waiting.”
“Yeah, you’re right about that.” I eased up on my tiptoes and gave him another quick kiss. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
“Don’t get carried away. I’ll get the guys to come grab some more tomorrow.”
“Okay. Will do.”
I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension as I rushed to my room and started packing.
It was crazy. I knew it was too soon, but for reasons I couldn’t explain, it felt right.
It felt more right than anything had in years.
I started throwing things into my bag and was trying to make sure I didn’t forget anything when Samantha stepped into the room.
“What about my blanket and favorite pillow?”
“You can take whatever you want, sweetie.”
“What about my TV and the lamp beside my bed?”
“There’s already a TV in your room.”
“I know, but it’s not my TV.”
“Ah, I see.” I knelt down in front of her as I said, “I know this is a little scary, but we’re doing this together. And when you feel overwhelmed or a little homesick, Nathan and I will be there to help you through. And you’ll do the same for us.”
“What if we don’t like being there?”
“Then, we’ll figure it out. Just like we always do.”
Concern marked my daughter’s sweet face as she asked, “And what about Dad?”
“Nothing’s going to change with that.” I understood her concern.
This was all happening so fast, and it was a lot for her to take in.
It was a lot for all of us to take in. I tried to reassure her the best I could.
“Your father has his life with Crissy, and you’ll still go and see them every other weekend, just like always. Does that sound okay?”
“Hm-hmm.” She nodded, then reached up and wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “I love you, Momma.”
“I love you, sweet girl.”
“I’m gonna go finish packing.”
“Okay. Just give me a shout if you need any help.”
`“I will.”
We both went back to packing and, in a blink, we were in the truck headed to Ronin’s house.
The kids were quiet but in a good way. Like me, they seemed excited and hopeful, but I knew better than to think they didn’t have their concerns.
I knew they did, and I had them, too. But when I turned and looked at Ronin, my heart felt full, and I just knew I had to take a chance—not just for me, but for all of us.
When we got to Ronin’s house, he helped us get our things out of the back of the truck and carry them inside. Ronin went with Nathan and helped him get his room situated while I did the same with Samantha, and after an hour or so of utter chaos, things started to come together.
The kids’ rooms actually looked like their rooms, and the kids seemed pleased with how they’d turned out.
In fact, they were carrying on just like they did when we were back at our house.
Nathan was on the phone with one of his buddies and playing on his PlayStation, and Samantha was watching a movie while she organized her art supplies.
Since they were all settled in, I decided to go back downstairs and finish putting my things away.
Ronin had moved things around in his closet and even cleaned out an entire dresser for me, so it didn’t take long for me to put my things away. I headed to the bathroom and was busy arranging my toiletries when Ronin came up behind me. “Need any help?”
“I think I’ve got it.” I put my shampoo in the shower as I told him, “Thanks for helping Nathan with his room.”
“No problem. He seems good with it.”
“Yeah, I was actually a little surprised by how good he was with it.”
“What do you mean?”
“He really loved his room. It’s kind of his safety net, and it seems strange how quick he was to walk away from it.”
“Maybe you should go up and talk to him?”
“I will in a bit.” I turned to face him. “I want to give him a few minutes to adjust.”
“What about you?” He placed his hands on my hips. “How are you adjusting?”
“Pretty good, actually.”
“That’s good. What about your side? How’s it doing?”
“It’s all good.”
“You sure about that?” He lowered his hand to the hem of my sweater and carefully lifted it over my head. He was about to reach for the clasp of my bra when he motioned to the large bandage of gauze and Band-Aids on my side. “This isn’t nothing, babe.”
“It’s fine. Samantha just got a little carried away with the Band-Aids.” I tried to reassure him. “Seriously. Don’t freak out about this. I’m fine.”
“Each time you say that, I find it harder to believe.”
He slowly peeled the bandage back and sighed as he looked at the wound. “It looks a little better than it did before.”
“See. I told you.”
“Not gonna apologize for being worried.” He grabbed me and pulled me against his chest. “Just know that I’m here for you. Now or whenever you need me.”
“I know.” I lifted on my tiptoes and slipped my arms around his neck. “And it just so happens that I need you right now.”
“Is that right?”
“Um-hmm.”
He lifted his hand to the nape of my neck, pulling my mouth to his.
The touch of his lips set me on fire. In all my life, I’d never felt such a hunger for a man, and from the way he was kissing me, there was no doubt he felt the same.
His rough palms slid effortlessly over my skin as he untied my black joggers and let them fall to the floor, leaving me in just my lace panties.
A rush of heat rolled against my skin as he stood there staring at me, appraising me.
I’d never wanted anyone like I wanted him.
I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, and the way his eyes filled with lust when he looked at me only made me want him even more.
I reached out, grasped the hem of his t-shirt, and carefully pulled it over his head, tossing it to the floor.
I laid my hand on his heart, relieved to feel that his beat was fast and hard like mine. “I love you, Ronin. I love you so much.”
“I love you too, babe. Let me show you how much.”
His lips brushed against mine, but not gently like before.
Instead, it was hot, passionate, and demanding.
I feared that I might lose myself in the moment, but I couldn’t pull myself away.
I moaned into his mouth, stealing the last of his restraint.
I gasped when he lifted me up, cradling me close to his chest. He held me tightly, making me feel safe and secure in his arms as he carried me over to his bed.
Seconds later, I was sprawled out on the mattress. I motioned my hand towards the door as I whispered, “Make sure it’s locked.”
He nodded, then stepped over and turned the bolt.
In a blink, he was on top of me with his body covering mine.
His weight pressed against me as his hands, rough and impatient, roamed over my body.
I felt utterly possessed by him as his mouth closed over my breast, scraping his teeth across my sensitive flesh.
My breath caught as his hand slid between my legs. He ran his fingers along my center while his other hand cupped my breast. Every nerve in my body tingled with his touch, making me impatient for more. Unable to resist, I reached down, tugging at his jeans as I pleaded, “Now.”
“I like a woman who knows what she wants.”
“That’s good because I want you and only you.”
“I’m here for the taking.”
And that he was, but at that moment, he was the one doing the taking.
He’d stolen my heart, and with every kiss and seductive touch, he was showing me that I’d stolen his as well.
We didn’t spend hours making love. With the kids right upstairs, that wasn’t an option, but we used the time we had to our best abilities.
And when we were done, we were both floating a little higher and able to tackle the rest of the night.
I finished putting my things away, then went upstairs to check in on the kids. When I got to Nathan’s room, I was surprised to find that he wasn’t playing his game or talking to any of his buddies. Instead, he was lying on his bed watching videos on his phone. “Hey, buddy. You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“I wanted to make sure you were okay with coming here for a while.”
“I’m fine with it.” He glanced down at his phone as he mumbled, “At least, here we won’t have to worry about Dad storming in and freaking out over something stupid like fairies.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that was still an issue for you.”
“It’s not an issue, Mom.” I sat on the edge of his bed and listened as he continued, “I’m just tired of Dad being such an asshole all the time. I really hated it when he came in there today and pushed you around. I don’t want him doing that again, and I know Ronin will make sure he doesn’t.”
“Yes, he will, but that’s not the only reason we’re here.”
“I know. I get it, and I’m not super happy about not being home for Christmas, but I like it here. It’s cool being close to the water, and my friends will think it’s badass.”