Chapter 39
Claire
Thank God Adam set up my office before moving in the rest of the house. It’s not like we have all that much, but the sheer hecticness of moving day is too much for me.
That’s why Masie and I are in my office, with Charlie in a little enclosed area, attempting to crawl already.
Slow down, little lady. There’s no need to rush.
“Okay, so this came in, and all I know is that it’s the Piri Reis map and not much is known about it,” Masie says.
“Where did you get it from?” I ask, flipping over the plastic-sleeved map.
“Anonymous donor.”
I look at her with furrowed brows.
“I know. That’s why we need to do research on it to see if it’s legit and legal,” she says.
“You have an illegal artifact?” Woodcroft’s voice booms from the doorway.
I watch like it’s slow motion. His eyes widen as soon as he sees Masie. And Masie … Well, her eyes are running down the length of his body, not even trying to hide her attraction.
“It’s actually unknown currently.” Masie smirks.
Oh shit. Playful Masie is trouble.
“You’re Dr. Green, correct?” Woodcroft asks.
“I am, indeed. And you are?”
“Kellen. Kellen Woodcroft.” He steps forward to shake her hand.
“Oh! You’re my contact with the Marshals.
I have some suspicions about this one,” Masie continues on like there weren’t just flames erupting from them both.
She rambles about how she came to have possession of it and how she’s leery.
It’s why she’s brought it to me so we can double-team some research on it.
Kellen holds out his business card to Masie, and I almost cackle at him. “Here’s my card. Will you call me when you find something?”
“Uh, I don’t need your card. I have your number. And of course, I’ll call you if something comes up. I always do.” Her head tilts, forcing me to cover my mouth with my hand to stop from laughing at these two.
Woodcroft turns the color of a cherry before spinning around, mumbling to himself, and disappearing from my office.
“Well, holy hell, he’s hot,” Masie says.
“He’s a good guy.” Anyone on Adam’s team is. Granted, Juliette and Stone have their little … thing going on.
Masie ignores me, looking out the door for another couple of minutes before she turns back to the map. Moment over, back to focusing on work.
“Hey, ladies, how’s work going?” Adam asks a little over an hour later.
“Slow, but that’s the norm,” Masie says, head still buried in her laptop.
Adam goes to the corner, picking up Charlie. “Are you helping Mama? Or are you just causing a ruckus?” Charlie babbles, making Adam laugh and kiss her chubby little cheek. “House is almost done. I ordered food, and it should be here soon. Can you guys take a break?”
“For food? Absolutely.” I’m starving.
Three hours later, everyone is finally gone, and baby Charlie is down for the night.
“How do you feel?” Adam asks.
“So damn good.” I sigh, cuddling up against him on the new couch we got.
“You know, I had a moment today where I was looking around at all my friends helping unpack the house, with you and Charlie in the office working, and it was just … an epiphany. Everything is so perfect. I never dreamed this could be my life,” Adam says, his fingertips dragging along my arm.
“I was convinced I’d die at Bella’s or trying to get to Cano.”
“Nah, I would have saved you.” I can hear the smirk on his face.
“Such a complex.” I grin.
“You like it.”
“Nah, I love it.” I smile. “And I love you and this life we’re creating.”
“God, same. And thank God for friends who work out. They moved everything in here in, like, two hours. Gave us time to unpack everything too.”
“That was nice. Way less stress.”
“And the opportunity to do this.” Adam grips my hips, pulling me onto his lap so I’m straddling him.
“Oh really?” I ask, grinding down against him.
“Fuck yes.” He groans.
Our sex life has been great but slow. Having a newborn has definitely stilted us. But right now? Nothing could stop us.
“Get me naked, Adam.” I moan.
He does one better, lifting me up and carrying me to our bedroom.
He strips me naked before laying me on the bed and doing the same.
I thought I’d be self-conscious about my body after pregnancy, but Adam’s made me feel like a queen.
He’s made it a point to tell me that my stretch marks and extra weight created the best thing in our lives.
Every time I feel like I’m failing at something since having Charlie, Adam steps right in to prove me wrong.
He’s the best kind of partner.
Soft kisses start at my ankle and work their way up. He bypasses where I really want him to kiss those stretch marks he loves so much. When he nips at my breast, I moan and grip his hair.
He grabs my hands, pulling me up. A confused look floats over my face.
“Come on, mama. I want to pamper you.” Adam helps me stand and then moves us to the bathroom, where he starts the bathtub.
“We could just have a quickie,” I offer, still extremely horny.
“Nope. We have all the time in the world.”
“Unless Charlie wakes up,” I counter.
“Shh, don’t jinx it,” he mutters against my neck as he kisses it. His hand slides down my stomach, circling my clit softly but not enough for what I need.
“Tease,” I grump.
“You love it.”
“I do.” I gasp as his other hand grabs my ass, yanking me to him. His erection is distracting as fuck, and I’m getting irritated that he won’t just let the sex happen.
That is until he abruptly steps back, drizzles some lavender oil into the bath, and helps me in. He steps in behind me, letting me sit down and lean against him in the full tub. It’s more relaxing than I ever thought it could be.
He cups some water, lets it fall over my hair, and proceeds to wash it. I groan. It feels so good with his fingers massaging my head. If anything, it’s turning me on more. My hips take on a mind of their own, grinding my ass against him.
“Claire …” Adam growls. “Let me take care of you.”
“Then give me relief.” I moan, my hand sliding down to my clit.
He bats my hand away, taking its place. “You want relief?” I nod. “You want me to show this pussy what I can do?”
“God yes.” Then he circles my clit with perfect pressure. “Yesssssss,” I hiss.
“You are so fucking sexy,” Adam whispers in my ear.
I get lost in the feel of him and how he makes me feel. I’m strong, determined, and loved with Adam in my life. I just hope that he feels the same.
I’m right on the verge of orgasm when he moves his finger off my clit and slides it into me. I gasp, the feeling of fullness sending me over, my own fingers pressing down on my clit to keep the stimulation going.
I’m suddenly lifted up and spun around. Effortlessly, I slide down Adam’s waiting cock, still pulsing from my orgasm.
“Fuck I love you, woman.” Adam moans, grabbing my ass hard, moving me up him.
I bite his neck, so consumed by him I barely know my own name. There’s no telling if my orgasm just continues or if it’s a completely new one, but I do know that it’s overpowering. It takes me to another plain of existence that only Adam can take me to.
Adam keeps moving me, thrusting his hips up at the same time, chasing his own orgasm.
“Oh God, Claire.” He moans in my ear, causing ripples to course through my body.
We both collapse, holding each other in the lukewarm water.
“Marry me.”
His murmured words catch me off guard.
“What?” I sit up, still connected to him.
“Why wait? I want to be with you forever. I’m not going anywhere. We’ve already moved in together, and we have Charlie. Marry me. Love me forever like I will love you.”
“You’re serious?” I ask.
“Completely.”
“Absolutely,” I bluster. “I absolutely want to marry you.” Laughter bursts from me when he wraps his arms around me tightly and kisses me everywhere he can reach.
Round two quickly follows because we somehow get lucky and Charlie waits to wake up until after we’re finished.
Unfortunate circumstances may have brought us together, but a little luck and someone watching over me made sure we were able to create the life we’ve always dreamed of.