Paris
THIRTY-NINE
“So, you really think I should add this one to the playbook?” Austin asks Rhys, both of their attention glued to the video game in front of them.
The man is clearly a sucker for all three of my kids, because he didn’t hesitate for a second when Rhys handed him a controller and challenged him to a video game while they wait for Maddox and Liv to arrive.
“Yep,” Rhys replies, his little tongue poking out in concentration as he pushes a series of buttons on the device in his hand.
The players on his side launch into what I can only explain as pure chaos, the ball being pitched from one guy to another, then back again before he fires it down the field.
He scores an easy touchdown, despite Austin’s efforts to defend it, a proud smile stretching across my baby’s face as his team celebrates.
“It’s a trick play with an eighty-five percent success rate when the Boston Blizzard does it. Steele isn’t as good of a running back as Dalton Davis, but it’ll still work.”
Austin chuckles, handing the controller to Rowan, who called winner before the game began.
“You better not say that in front of Sydney. She’ll have you strung up by your shoelaces until you apologize for being mean to her boyfriend.
” He grins, looking around as though he’s afraid he might get caught doing the same.
“You’re right, though. Dalton’s a beast.”
They high-five, and I laugh under my breath, adjusting Lennon in my arms as we walk over and peer out the window.
Maddox and Livvy are on their way to pick up the boys for their trip to the park, and Stella is coming for what she called Girl’s Day Out.
I assumed she was referring to an earlier version of what the WAGs and I do in Bailey’s spa room each week, but was immediately shut down and told that I wasn’t invited.
I have a sneaking suspicion that Austin set up both of these little adventures for them, so I could rest all day, but after seeing his face light up when Lennon called him dada, all I can think about is getting a couple of hours alone so I can climb him like a tree.
I’ll admit that it was a shock to hear at first, especially since she’s never said the word before.
The boys talk about Braxton from time to time, but Len sadly doesn’t know him enough to have ever associated that title with him.
She was barely even a few months old when we moved out, and she hasn’t seen him enough since then to think of him as her dad.
Austin, however, has quickly become the male figure she’s most comfortable with, and they’ve created a beautiful bond since he came into our lives.
Add in the fact that she’s been spending so much time with Norah, who’s completely obsessed with her own dada, and I’m not surprised she thinks of Austin that way.
Now that I know he isn’t going anywhere, I’m okay with not correcting her.
He’d die before he hurt any of my children, which is unfortunately more than I can say for the man who gave them half their DNA.
I’m pulled from my thoughts as the doorbell chimes, indicating that we have a visitor.
I make my way to the entryway with Lennon in tow, barking a laugh at the scene that awaits us as I pull the door open.
Stella stands with Norah on her hip, matching oversized heart-shaped sunglasses perched on their noses.
They look like a couple of pop stars who are about to drop the hottest mixtape of all time, their sassy attitudes on full display for the entire neighborhood to witness.
“We’re here for our girl,” Stella says, and Norah punctuates the sentence with a toothy grin.
Stella reaches into her back pocket, fishing out a third pair of sunglasses and extending them in my direction.
I take them, immediately placing them on Lennon’s face and admiring how fucking adorable she looks before finally handing her over.
With both arms full, Stella gives me a curt nod, hoisting the girls up on her hips.
“How are you feeling?” she asks, shifting into nurse mode.
“Much better,” I reply, a bit sheepish at the thought of her seeing me in such a vulnerable state. “Thank you for your help, by the way. I’m sure you had a million other things going on, but you dropped them all to check on me. I really appreciate it, Stell.”
Headaches like the one I experienced yesterday don’t happen often, but when they do, I always worry that people will judge me for not being able to handle the stress that comes with normal, everyday life.
It was a perfect storm between spreading myself so thin, waiting until the last minute to shop, and my emotions being on edge from everything with Austin.
But I should’ve listened to my body and asked for help, instead of being stubborn.
If it weren’t for the two of them demanding that I rest, I’d have continued trying to push through until my brother got back from his road trip, and that very well could’ve landed me in a much worse position.
Lesson learned. It’s alright to lean on those who care about you.
“Nonsense. I’m just glad you’re upright and on the mend,” she says with a smirk, moving on to more pressing issues as Norah begins whining impatiently.
“Anyway, we’re going to the new baby boutique in Lakewood.
We’ll be back in a few hours. I already took the car seat from Austin’s truck, per his instructions, but you’re more than welcome to check my installation skills before we take off. ”
My brows shoot up, surprised at Stella’s preparedness, although I probably shouldn’t be.
She and Emmett are going to be wonderful parents someday, but for now, I think they’re both okay with being the cool aunt and uncle who get to swipe Renegade babies from their exhausted parents and bring them back at the end of the day.
“That won’t be necessary,” I tell her. “I trust you.”
We say our goodbyes, and she loads the girls into her car, pulling away just as Maddox and Livvy arrive.
Austin helps install Rhys’ booster seat, and I give each of my boys a giant hug as they attempt to blow out the door, reminding them to be on their best behavior while they’re gone.
They agree, barely letting me put a period on the end of the sentence before they’re running down the walkway, the biggest smiles on their faces as Maddox greets them with matching high-fives.
I expect the mom guilt to settle in like it normally does when they leave, but it doesn’t.
Maybe it’s because I finally feel like I have a support system that I can trust, outside of my brother and Oakley.
It feels good to know that they’re safe with people who truly want to be a part of their lives.
Or maybe it’s because of the six-foot-five hot-as-hell retired football player I’m finally alone with after what seems like a lifetime of being apart. It could be that, too.
Austin looks delicious in a pair of gray sweatpants and a black Renegades hoodie, his freshly showered curls still wet at the tips as he makes his way back inside.
Our eyes lock the moment he steps through the door, a smirk playing at his mouth as he closes us in and twists the deadbolt.
I bite my lower lip, my body tingling all over and heat gathering between my thighs as I think about all the things I want to do to him.
“What?” he asks. “You’re looking at me like you think you’re about to get your way.”
I tilt my head, fluttering my lashes innocently. “Aren’t I, though?”
He chuckles, toeing off his shoes and eating up the space between us.
A second later, his palm is flattened against my lower back, urging me forward until there’s barely an inch between us.
The scent of his cologne permeates the air, doing absolutely nothing to tamp down the need I have for him as his free hand cups my jaw.
“That depends. What’s going through that pretty little head of yours? What do you want?”
A wicked grin creeps across my face. “For you to fuck my throat until your cum is dripping down my chin.”
His gaze flares with heat, clear shock running through him at my words. To be honest, I’m a little caught off guard by them myself, but Stella has really upped her book recommendation game, and I’ve picked up a few things.
“Goddammit, Paris,” he groans, throwing his head back. “Don’t say shit like that to me when you know I can’t act on it.”
I pout, my shoulders slumping. “Why not? It’s been so long.”
He smirks cockily. “It’s been a week, needy girl. And I’m sorry, but we’re not pushing your limits today. I’ll fuck you, but we’re going easy until you’ve had time to recover.”
I want to argue—to tell him that I can handle it—but I know he’s right.
I may be feeling great right now, especially after getting a full night of rest, but that doesn’t mean my headache won’t come back if I overdo it.
Plus, after the emotionally charged morning we had, laying our hearts on the line after seven days of pain and longing—maybe it wouldn’t hurt to take things slow.
“Okay, deal,” I reply, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him down for a kiss.
His lips are soft and warm as they slide against mine, his tongue demanding entrance as it glides along the seam.
I open for him immediately, every inch of my skin lighting up under his touch when his hands begin to roam.
He finds my ass, eliciting a startled squeal when he lifts me into his arms. His lips curve into a smile without breaking the connection, continuing to devour me as my legs wrap around his waist.