Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“Grapes are the best,” Lily said with her mouth full.
The first part of the journey, we did our usual thing. I asked them about school, if Micah had any homework, if they wanted to make plans with friends, and so on. Micah was easy—a single question could get him to ramble. With Lily, I had to ask direct questions, because she stayed on topic like a pro.
Ash replied to my message, but I couldn’t check it until I reached a stoplight.
“So, I’ll call Jayla’s mom later tonight,” I said to Lily. “We’ll see about this weekend since you’ll be with Nana and Pop-Pop.”
“Okay.”
I eyed the text.
I only talked to James. Jordan gets nervous, so I thought I’d give him less time to worry and just go over and grab him once you’re there. I’ll be at the house in ten minutes. Hallie and Dylan are on their way too.
I was a bit nervous myself, to be honest.
Meeting someone in a kinky setting was so different, because in the dojo, I let another side of me take charge. This was different. I was meeting the men Ash called neighbors, friends, and potential partners. Our children would be there. James and Jordan would become part of our lives. Dylan had already met them. Hallie had seen them in passing. Even Micah had met James—for about five seconds at “Dad’s work.”
Exactly how close had Ash grown to the Hacketts? Did they eat dinner together? Did they sit on the porch and drink beer in the sunset? Any inside jokes yet? Did Jordan know what made my husband tick? Had he gotten under Ash’s skin? Did they miss each other during the day when they were at work?
I swallowed and drummed my fingers along the wheel.
I had nothing to worry about. Ash loved me. We were recovering. Our marriage was strong.
I rubbed a fist over my chest.
Fuck.
“Oh wow, is that the house? It’s so big, Dad!” Micah exclaimed.
I pulled in next to Ash’s truck. That hubby of mine was sitting on the porch steps with a smile on his face.
While Micah was quick to run out and cross the front lawn, Lily seemed to be rummaging through her backpack.
I undid my seat belt and peered back at her. “Everything okay?”
“I need to find my ruler. The sparkly one Grandma gave me.”
I felt my forehead wrinkle. “What do you need that for now, honey?”
“Aha!” She held it up, triumphant. “I gots to see how many rulers big the pool is.” With that, she scrambled over to the other side and disappeared out the same door Micah had used.
I chuckled and scrubbed a hand over my mouth, watching as Ash threw Micah over his shoulder and then barreled toward Lily. Micah guffawed and smacked at Ash’s back.
“Nooo, Daddy!” Lily squealed. “Don’t chase me!”
God, I couldn’t lose him again. Never again.
The question I had to ask myself now was, could I share him?
Playtime and kinky fun were one thing, but this was what he’d warned me about over the years. He didn’t know the boundaries of his inner Daddy Dom. He didn’t know how that part of him would evolve in the right settings—with the right person.
I’d pushed for this very scenario, and now we were here. I was about to find out just how much of my husband I was gonna have to share with another couple.
I took a breath and left the car.
Ash was currently flat on his back on the lawn with two of our children wrestling him.
“I surrender! I surrender!” he laughed gruffly. “Put down the ruler!”
Promise me we’ll stay together for as long as we live.
I plastered a smile on my face and picked up the pace, ready to rescue my man from two tickling terrors.
Lily was closest, so I rushed over and picked her up. She flailed and squealed all over, and as she squirmed around in my arms, her blouse rode up. I obviously had no choice—I had to defend Ash’s honor by blowing raspberries on her tummy.
“Oh g-gosh, nooo, Daddy!” she wheezed through her laughter.
“So you think you can attack Daddy and get away with it, huh?” I growled playfully and smooched her on the forehead. “Bring that ruler inside and start measuring instead.”
“Okay!” She giggled and panted as I let her down, and she wasted no time. She darted up the porch steps, with Micah close behind.
“I’m coming too!” he called.
“Your rooms are upstairs!” Ash hollered. “Feel free to explore.”
I blew out a breath and extended my hand to him.
He quirked a sexy grin and grabbed on.
I pulled him up, and once he was on his feet again, he did exactly what I needed. I needed it more than I thought I did, even. He hauled me in for the tightest hug and said all the right words.
“I’ve thought about you all day,” he murmured. “If I hadn’t been stuck out in Fairfax, I woulda crashed your lunch hour.”