Two Years Later #2
Leading that up full time was challenging, but as the final touches went into the simulator and testing began, Nash knew they’d be successful.
Numerous crews from Montana’s State Troopers volunteered just the week before to go through drills as they worked out any lingering issues with the simulator and the feedback had been nothing but praise.
It felt good knowing that he could keep things under control for Cap.
“I won’t, Mama! Promise. Addie is playing with Sage and I want to go see them.”
“That’s fine,” Nash chuckled as Embrie pointed towards the swings. “Just keep an ear out in case we holler your name.”
“Should I take Cami with me?” she asked.
“Mama, I stays with you!” Cami buried her face in Lacy’s shoulder.
“Thank you, Brie, but I think your sister is feeling a little shy today.”
Embrie walked back to them, putting her hand on Cami’s arm. “If you want to come play with me, or Addie, or Sage, just let me know.”
Nash’s heart squeezed. Embrie was the best big sister.
Always looking out for Camilla, always wanting to be in her orbit.
She’d never once been annoyed by the age gap that existed between them.
Never jealous of the attention a newborn—who turned into a toddler faster than any of them expected—needed.
“Do you want a hand with any of that?” Lacy asked as she tickled their daughter’s sides and got the best giggle out of her.
“No. You carry Cami. I’ve got everything else.”
They walked quietly to the back of Seb and Emma’s yard, past all the vehicles in the driveway and the pink and blue decorations everywhere.
Their crew, which had thrived through a boom of baby girls, was slowly seeing the tides change.
Nash was still Team Girl, but Lacy thought their friends would be having a boy.
“How are you feeling?” Lacy asked as she hugged Lily, Cami and Magnolia giggling as they spread out their dolls on the picnic blanket in the grass.
Nash set the armful of bags and gifts down on the table before his hand went to Gunner’s shoulder and gave a squeeze.
His friend had been a Nervous Nelly when Lily was pregnant with Magnolia, and it hadn’t gotten any better this time around.
“Like I’m about to pop. I don’t know how it’s possible that this baby is even bigger than Magnolia was, but Birdie said I’m measuring forty-three weeks at my check yesterday. I cried the whole way home.”
“And that’s why we have a plan in place now, right beautiful?” Gunner pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“God, yes. Just one more week. If he’s not here by then, Birdie said Dr. Hayes would induce me. I’m so excited.”
“And until then, you two are doing all the things to get him to come?” Mae wiggled her eyebrows as she walked up to the group. Nash knew if he didn’t move quickly, Gunner would swoop in.
“There’s my sweet niece.” Nash held his arms out and Mae laughed as she handed Quinn over.
“Nice to see you, Mae. How are you doing, Mae?” she teased.
“Yeah, yeah. It is good to see you. But this girl…” Nash maneuvered into a one arm hold and tickled Quinn’s belly with his free fingers. “This girl is such a doll. Lacy, don’t you—”
“Don’t even start.” His wife liked to pretend that she was immune to his request for more kids. But Camilla was so grown now—don’t even get him started on Embrie—and it just felt wrong to not have a baby in the house any more.
“What if I beg? I know you like that. I could get down on my knees…”
“Oh lord, Lacy. You are done for,” Mae laughed.
“Don’t do it. Don’t fall for those puppy-dog eyes,” Lily groaned. “Look at me. I’m a cautionary tale.”
“More like a fairy tale.” Gunner smiled as his eyes dropped to her belly.
Nash caught Brie walking back toward them.
“Dad, how did you get your hands on Quinn already? I just saw Aunt Mae walk over here,” Embrie laughed.
“You can’t fault me. Don’t you remember when Camembert was this little? I miss those days. Both my girls are so big now.”
“Well, if you aren’t going to hand over Quinn, then I’m going to see Uncle Jake. He just got here with Aunt Kara! I want to say hi and see if she’s showing yet!”
Nash chuckled. “I don’t know if they’ve shared about the baby with everyone yet, Cheese.”
“I can be sneaky about it!” Embrie threw her hair over her shoulder and crossed her arms. Thirteen was flying towards them at an alarming rate, and their sweet girl was growing up fast. There were tough moments, but seeing her feel comfortable enough to express all her emotions, to be free, and bold, and sassy, and goofy…
Nash knew they were raising a young woman who would walk into the world confident in her place among her peers and ready to change things for the better.
“That child hasn’t stopped collecting family members since you guys got to town,” Stone chuckled.
“I know. She’s the sweetest. I’m so happy that she’s thriving even with our constant traveling between here and Goldfinch Falls.” Nash watched as Lacy’s smile faded.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“I knew I was forgetting something!” Lacy sighed. “Jessie helped me finish Kara’s quilt and I completely forgot to bring it today.”
Nash leaned to kiss Lacy’s temple. “Just pack it for our trip back to Montana. I already told Jake I’d help him with that garden Kara has him building out back. They’ll be farther along with the nursery, and you can give it to her then.”
“God, I knew there was a reason I married you.” She pressed up onto her tiptoes and kissed him.
“I don’t think my gift giving skills are what sealed the deal for you, wife.”
Lacy giggled as his hand landed on her backside.
“Help me up?” Lily grunted at Gunner. Once on her feet, she smiled at Lacy and Mae. “Boys, I’m going to steal your wives for a bit. I need to try and walk this baby out today.”
“Lily—”
“Nope. No hovering. You’re going to stay with the guys, right? You’ll help watch the kids so I can have girl time and relax and not feel claustrophobic with your hovering?”
Stone snorted into his beer. All these years later, Nash still loved watching Gunner—the man who held several records in their time in the SEALs for the elite, emotionless sniper that he was—get put in his place by Lily.
“Of course.”
“Let’s go see if we can find Sloane. I saw Hawk and Jessie over by the grill not too long ago. I’m sure Beckett wants to come say hello to Noli,” Mae laughed as she looped her arm through Lily’s.
“We’re going to be late,” Sloane panted as Gage’s fingers slipped under the fabric of her dress.
“Red, no one is going to notice if we aren’t right on time. We’ll get there. But first, I owe you an orgasm. And I’m absolutely starving. You aren’t going to deny me my breakfast, are you?”
Yes, they needed to get their shit together and head out to Emma and Sebastian’s place, but he wasn’t about to leave his woman feeling needy.
“Mm… Shit! Oh… I wouldn’t have worn this dress if I knew you were going to do this… it wrinkles…”
“Guess I’ll just have to make sure you get hot enough that you steam them out.”
She laughed. “I think that’s a mighty tall order. Why don’t you just take it off me, Clark, and set it nicely over on the chair?”
“Not as fun, but if it will put your mind at ease, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.”
His fingers bunched the fabric up and he easily slipped it over her head. Gage draped the dress over the chair and turned back to Sloane, eyes going wide as he realized his fiancée was only left wearing one very silky pair of panties.
“No bra?”
“It’s hard to wear one in a sundress like that. The straps from the dress are too thin.”
“What a shame,” Gage laughed as he set his lips against her shoulder. He alternated between kissing and sucking on her skin. From her shoulder, to her neck, down to her collarbone.
Sloane stood still, until Gage’s left hand came up and rested against her breast, while his mouth kissed over the other.
He sucked her nipple into his mouth, his tongue moving in the same circular motion his thumb was tracing over her other breast. And that’s when he felt Sloane melt.
She moaned as his teeth gently clamped down, raking over the sensitive bud.
“Clark,” she panted.
“It’s okay, beautiful. I know what you want.”
Sloane’s eyes closed, and his hand landed on her waist, guiding her two steps back until she was sitting on the sofa.
Her back rested against the pillows, and Gage fell to his knees, his thumbs hitching her panties and pulling them down her legs.
Once he had them free in his hand, Gage began pressing kisses up her leg.
Her skin pebbled beneath his touch, and Sloane’s breathing picked up the closer he got to the spot he knew she wanted him to touch.
“Enough with the kisses,” she groaned. “We kind of need to hit our destination quickly.”
He just laughed. Until she spread her legs further apart and her own hand found its way to his ultimate destination.
“Fine. Kiss away. I’ll help you get me there,” she teased.
Gage wrapped his hand around her wrist and growled. “Red… You should know you don’t mess with a starving man’s meal.”
Teasing like that in the beginning of their relationship was unheard of. They’d both taken things slow. Explored each other’s boundaries and found a comfortable middle ground. And now, their sex life was off the charts incredible.
“You wouldn’t know you were starving from the glacial pace you’re working at to get me off.”
Gage didn’t verbally respond. Instead he guided her hand up to her nipple and nodded as he released her wrist. She clearly got the hint, her free hand coming up to cover her other breast. When she was consumed with the sensations at her chest, Gage placed his hands on her thighs and went to work.
His tongue licked her, from core to clit, her back arching off the sofa in response.