EPILOGUE
WYATT
The wood boards radiate heat up through my bare feet as I pace the length of the front porch. The last year and a half have flown by in the blink of an eye as we settled into first married life, then life as new parents. The weight of a baby sleeping on my chest is something that’ll never get old.
I bounce a little on my heels, rocking Audrey in the crook of my left arm, careful not to jostle her pacifier loose. Her sleepy eyes are drifting shut after another busy day keeping us on our toes.
Naomi leans against the porch railing next to me as the sunset throws shadows across the yard.
The porch table is covered with scattered papers, sticky notes, and her fancy laptop computer.
Her criminal justice assignment is due at midnight, and she’s got at least two cups of coffee left before the panic sets in.
Audrey starts to fuss, small and uncertain, like she’s apologizing in advance for the meltdown that’s coming.
I slide a big hand behind her head and bounce her a little more, staring out at the rolling hills of Silver Spoon Falls, where the last of the sun floods the fields with the last rays of color.
“You’d better not let her get used to being held all the time,” Naomi says, not taking her eyes off the laptop. “The second you put her down, you’ll pay the price.”
“I don’t see anyone complaining,” I mutter, rubbing my thumb in slow circles on Audrey’s back. I had no idea it was possible to love something so completely while simultaneously resenting its refusal to nap for longer than twenty minutes at a stretch.
Naomi snorts, but there’s affection in it. She reaches over and places a soft kiss Audrey’s cheek as the baby’s eyelids droop, heavy and defiant. Within seconds, she’s sound asleep. Hopefully for the night.
I adjust the blanket, making sure her arms are tucked in. “You think she’ll ever stop looking like a tiny drunk person when she wakes up?”
Naomi rolls her eyes. “That’s not a nice thing to say about our daughter. Why don’t you put her down and come back to give me a shoulder rub?”
Oh hell yes. I mentally fist bump the air knowing where my shoulder rubs usually lead.
“I’ll be right back,” I say as I rush in the house with my precious bundle in my arms.
I tiptoe into her pink nursery and set her down gently in the baby bed all while holding my breath. I finally exhale once she doesn’t stir one bit. I can’t resist running my knuckles over her downy bright red hair as I step back, instantly missing the weight of my daughter in my arms.
On my way out to the front porch, I stop by the kitchen and pour my wife another cup of coffee.
I step back out and Naomi glances up with an expression that says, you’re a big softy. “I can’t believe you turned out to be the helicopter parent.” She teases.
“Believe it, fever. You and Audrey are my whole world.”
“I love you.” My wife shoves aside the mess of schoolwork and pats the bench next to her. “Sit and relax while you can.”
I do as I’m told, but it takes effort not to check the video on my phone every two seconds to make sure Audrey is okay. I’ve read every parenting book there is, and I’m convinced that at least ninety percent of them are lies written by people who’ve never met a real child.
Naomi slides in close, slinging her legs over my lap and leaning into my side. She smells like vanilla mixed with her own unique fragrance.
“Are you ready for next week?” I ask, already knowing the answer but wanting to hear what she has to say.
She rolls her head back and groans, staring up at the string of Edison bulbs I hung along the eaves last spring. “Two research papers, a presentation, and an interview with my corrections professor. Why did I think this was a good idea?”
“Because you’re smarter than everyone else and too stubborn to settle for anything less.”
She rolls her eyes, but her smile is soft. “What about you, Mr. Vice President? How was your big day at the office?”
I snort, thinking of the seven-hour security audit and the hour I spent talking Giant off the ledge when he found out someone he employs actually made a mistake. “It was eight hours without seeing you are Audrey but I made the best of it.”
“You just love to say something that turns me on when I don’t have times to jump your bones.” My wife grumbles as I rest my hand on her knee, tracing the seam of her leggings.
“Here’s a little taste of what you’re missing.” I offer as I cup her face. I kiss her, slow and careful, torturing myself as much as her.
She sighs into my mouth, then pulls back and glares. “Stop distracting me. I have to finish my outline or I’ll forget all my talking points for the final.”
I let her go, even though it’s the last thing I want to do.
As she works, I relax and focus on the sense of relief I've had since Dillon called me yesterday to inform me that Mintz accepted a plea deal in the old murder case he was about to stand trial for.
Apparently, two years before he dated Casey, the idiot killed another girl in Amarillo.
He wasn't even considered a suspect in that case until he was arrested for the kidnapping, and his DNA sample was entered into the database.
It matched the cold case, triggering a series of events that ultimately left Stellan in hot water.
Now, he's the Texas Department of Corrections' problem for the rest of his life and I couldn’t be happier.
When Naomi finally finishes her homework, I scoop her up, and cradle her luscious ass in my hands. My wife lets out this little gasp that goes straight to my cock. “Now, I’ll give you that shoulder rub you wanted,” I growl against her lips, my voice low and dripping with promise.
The kiss starts slow, like we’re testing the waters, but fuck, it doesn’t stay that way for long.
Her lips are soft and sweet and the second they brush against mine, I’m done for.
I’m a goner. My brain short-circuits, and all I can think about is how badly I need to get her naked.
I gently kick the bedroom door shut with my foot, hoping my daughter sleeps through the noise then I devour my wife like a starving man at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Her little teasing laugh drives me wild, and I end up stumbling a little bit. Her legs wrap around my waist, and I can feel the heat of her pussy pressing against me through her fucking panties. Jesus Christ, I’m already hard as a rock, and she hasn’t even touched me yet.
As I lay her down on the bed, she looks up at me with those big, fuck-me eyes before batting her lashes like she’s some kind of innocent angel.
Bullshit. She knows exactly what she’s doing.
“And maybe a back rub too?” she purrs, her voice dripping with that sweet, sultry tone that makes my cock twitch.
“Definitely a back rub,” I growl, my voice low and rough. “Plus, I plan to rub your sweet pussy until you’re screaming my name.”
She must like the sound of that because her lips crash against mine like a fucking tidal wave before I’m even able to finish the sentence.
Her tongue slips into my mouth, and I groan as my hands slide down her body to grab her ass. She’s wearing thin shorts that ride up as I pull her closer, and I can feel the wetness soaking through her panties. Fuck, she’s already dripping for me.
I break the kiss just long enough to yank her t-shirt over her head. I glance down to see her tits spilling out of her lacy bra, like they’re begging to be set free. I don’t waste a second before I unhook that shit with one hand and toss it across the room with the other.
Her hard nipples are begging for my mouth, so I oblige, sucking one into my mouth while I pinch the other between my fingers. She arches her back, moaning my name as she grinds her sweet pussy against my thigh.
“Fuck, you’re so wet,” I mutter against her skin as my hand slides between us to cup her pussy through her panties.
She whimpers and bucks her hips against my palm, and I can’t take it anymore. I rip those fucking panties off her like they’re made of paper and dive in to taste her glistening and swollen pussy.
My tongue laps at her clit and she tastes fucking incredible. Her hands grip my head, pulling me closer as I eat her like my last fucking meal. I slide two fingers inside her and scissor them open while sucking hard on her clit. She screams my name as her thighs clamp tight around my head.
“More!” she cries, her voice shaking with pleasure. “Don’t stop, don’t stop!”
I don’t plan on stopping. Not until she’s coming so hard she forgets her own name. I keep fucking her with my fingers while my tongue works her clit in tight little circles. Her inner muscles flutter around my fingers telling me she’s getting close.
A tremor runs through her curvy body as she exhales in short, desperate gasps. Her pussy clenching around my fingers when she comes soaking my face with her juices.
I slowly kiss my way up her body stopping to leave little bites along the way. Her fingers eagerly reach for me, encircling my cock with a firm yet tender grip.
A deep groan escapes my lips as she begins to stroke me with a deliberate and unhurried rhythm. Each movement sends waves of pleasure coursing through me.
“Your turn,” she whispers and pushes me onto my back. And fuck, I’m ready. More than ready for whatever my wife throws at me.
I’m one lucky motherfucker and I wouldn’t trade this for anything.