Halloween was exhausting business, especially when you were five and a half months pregnant. Or thereabouts.

Last Halloween, I never could have guessed this would be my reality. Married to my best friend, a mother to his daughter—our daughter. Slowly, it was beginning to feel like that was true in all ways, not just in my heart.

Pregnant with a little boy too who enjoyed enthusiastically kicking his mama. Not as pregnant as I would be soon though. Lord help me.

“Are you all right?” Seth guided me up the walk with his hand on my hip. I think he could tell the walk was wearing on me tonight.

“Fine. Terrific.”

“Sure about that?”

Nodding, I smiled as Laurie rang another doorbell and cried out, “Trick or treat!”

She was adorable as always, and watching her run from house to house was so much fun. But the homes were spread out on this side of town, so despite only half filling her sack so far, my feet ached as if we’d walked fifty miles. I had a stitch in my lower back, my calf was starting to hurt, and those Snickers she’d collected were looking mighty fine.

I was a hot mess in a slightly inappropriate costume in which I’d hoped to jump my husband later. At this rate, I’d probably need a nap first.

“Want me to carry you?”

I was so busy grinning at Laurie’s banter with the homeowner, Mrs. Whitfield, that I almost missed Seth’s question. We were standing at the bottom of the steps because Ms. Independent wanted to go up alone.

Good thing, since Seth was apt to say things no one should overhear.

“Excuse me?”

“Carry you. I can, you know. I’ve been working out.” He flexed his biceps in his T-shirt—he wore no costume and no jacket although it was only in the fifties—and grinned. “I’m buff.”

“Sure, you are. But I’ve gained weight.”

“I’m super buff.”

“Jerk.” I couldn’t help laughing. “Thanks, but I think I can make it.”

“Is the baby doing acrobatics again?”

“Always.” I rubbed my side.

Seth cupped my stomach. These days, he touched my belly almost as much as I did. “Yeah, he is.” He smiled, brushing his fingers over my navel. “Why don’t you go back to the house and I’ll finish up with Laurie? It’s probably a good idea for you to referee those two anyway.”

“I’m good. Honestly. Besides, we’re almost done.”

Seth gave me a dubious look. “We’re barely a quarter around this side of the lake. You know she’ll have us going until her show at eight o’clock.”

“I hike all the time. This is child’s play.”

Lies. So many lies.

Laurie bounded down the steps and flashed a wide smile. “Ready for more.”

I swallowed a sigh and took her hand. “Okay, Wonder Woman. Let’s go.”

She trooped between Seth and me, babbling excitedly. I tried to follow along but I was still thinking about those Snickers. We’d eaten an early dinner. A small one. Many moons ago.

“You should let me inspect your candy,” I announced. “Make sure it’s safe.”

“Um, it’s dark out here. Hard to inspect much.” Seth shook his head and turned to whisper into my ear. “Hungry again?”

“What? No.”

He waited until Laurie charged up the steps at the next house before murmuring, “Liar. I can tell you’re hungry.” He trailed a fingertip along my collarbone. “You’re not the only one.”

“You can’t have the Snickers. Those are mine. I’ll leave her one and replace the others later.”

“Nope, not interested in the Snickers.”

“M&Ms? Those are mine too.” When he cocked a brow, I rubbed my belly. “Not my fault your son got your sweet tooth.”

“Is it also my fault that you’re so fucking gorgeous I can’t wait to get you naked?”

As always, sentiments like that from Seth knocked me on my ass. He’d been saying them continuously since he’d first come up with his crazy plan to have a baby in May, but I still couldn’t believe sometimes that he was saying them to me. That we were us. An us so much bigger now than the one we’d always been, because we’d had that solid foundation to grow from.

“Um.”

His warm chuckle stirred my hair. “I love how you react when I say stuff like that.”

“Just trying to get a reaction out of me?”

“Hardly.” He pulled me in front of him and discreetly pulled my hand back to touch the column in his jeans. And it was a column. The dude was fucking erect while trick or treating with his four-year-old. “This outfit isn’t helping matters.” He tugged on the ribbon between my breasts. “I keep imagining peeling you out of it and seeing how much bigger your tits are today.”

“They don’t grow hourly, you know.” Even if it felt like it.

“Mmm, seems that way to me.” He laid his hands on my shoulders as Laurie skipped down the stairs, swinging the jack o’lantern she was using to collect her candy. “What’d you get, sweetheart?”

“Snickers. A full-sized bar.”

My stomach rumbled and he laughed. “Awesome. Onward ho.” He slung an arm around my shoulders as he shifted me back toward the walk. “We have miles to go before we sleep.”

It took a lifetime and a half to cover the square footage of the trek that Seth evidently took Laurie on every year. I’d never gone trick or treating with them before, which had been a mistake. At least I would’ve known what I was in for.

“Yay, time for camel corn and Snoopy.” Laurie spun around ahead of us, twirling her pumpkin full of candy above her head.

“Caramel corn,” I corrected, but Laurie wasn’t listening. I didn’t mind much, since home was finally in our sights. I swear, the warm golden glow of the lights in the windows nearly made me weep.

“Just you and me for those things, princess. Mommy needs some rest.”

“No,” I immediately protested. I didn’t want to miss a minute of our first family Halloween.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the energy I’d once had. The beginning of my second trimester I’d been full of it—and horny as hell. Seth had happily obliged me in that area. As the months progressed and the third trimester neared, a lot of my sex drive and drive period had disappeared.

Now a carton of ice cream, a cozy blanket, and a pillow excited me nearly as much as Seth’s cock.

Actually, that was a lie. Tonight, his cock was losing big time to the ice cream.

“Yes.” Seth looped an arm around my waist and ushered me up the stairs. “Bed for you. After a snack. We just have enough time to make you one before the show, right, Laur?”

“Yes.” Laurie clapped and ran up the steps. “PBJ?”

“Hmm, thinking something a little lighter.”

I gripped Seth’s arm. “Don’t deny a pregnant woman peanut butter, for God’s sake.”

“Swear jar.”

I didn’t even bother to argue with Laurie. She’d been taught not to take the Lord’s name in vain. We might as well just buy her that pink bike with streamers she wanted now.

“PBJ it is then.” Seth’s lips twitched as he pushed open the door to utter silence.

The three of us stood in the doorway, not moving. Barely breathing.

“Do you think they killed each other?” Seth questioned.

“If so, I hope it was on the green rug. Even if we paid far too much for that piece of—” At Laurie’s glance, I smiled. “Loveliness.”

Seth tsked. “Poor rug.”

When I tried to move forward, Seth threw out an arm to keep me and Laurie back. “Let me check things out.”

Caught between a laugh and rolling my eyes, I laid a hand on Laurie’s head. “Let your daddy play the hero. He so rarely gets to.”

Seth was about to respond when Laurie bellowed, “Unca Ollie, where you be?”

Oliver strolled out and smiled as if we didn’t make quite a picture being blocked from entry into the house. “There’s my favorite superhero. How’d you do?” He moved forward and Seth dropped his arm in time for Oliver to pluck the candy bucket out of Laurie’s hand. “Whoa, this thing must weigh five pounds. Good job.”

Laurie flipped out her sword and grinned demonically. “No one says no to Wonder Woman.”

“True enough.”

“Where’s Sage?” I demanded.

“Who?”

“Oliver.”

“She flounced. Rather dramatically. She probably left, as she couldn’t handle my obvious skill with the neighborhood kiddos. She was feeling a little left out.”

“Left out. Is that what we’re calling it now?” Sage came down the hallway, her bright yellow feathers fluttering.

They distracted me enough that it took me a second to look up and see her cupping an icepack to her cheek.

I gasped and rushed forward before casting an accusing glance at Oliver. “What did he do?”

“Me?” Oliver’s completely angelic voice fooled absolutely no one. “I feel maligned.”

“Oliver,” Seth warned. “You better start talking.”

“Why don’t you ask Ms. Evans what occurred?” Oliver sounded lazily superior, as if he didn’t even have to work at being better than everyone in his midst.

In the old days, his condescending attitude might’ve rankled. Now it amused me more than anything else. Under that crusty shell, he was a stand-up guy. And since Sage appeared okay—mostly—I was back to fixating on ice cream.

Hey, pregnancy cravings stopped for no mere flesh wound.

Sage exhaled and lowered her ice pack. The skin along her cheekbone was puffy and pink, but I didn’t see any bruising, thank God. “It was just an accident.”

Oliver arched a brow while I calculated exactly how much was left in that tub of Silky Chocolate Royale Seth had bought me during a middle of the night craving last week.

“Mike came by with his niece. You know, Mr. London? He teaches over at the high school.”

“Mike is her crush, but she keeps calling him Mr. London. Very odd, if you ask me.”

I ignored Oliver. “Okay, and what happened?”

“I tripped. There was a candy issue, and I flailed, and I tried to reclaim my balance by grabbing Mike,” she glared at Oliver, “but I hit my face on the doorjamb because Hamilton moved.”

Seth reclaimed Laurie’s treat bucket from Oliver. “Hey, kiddo, what do you say if we get you changed for bed so you can watch your show?”

“Okay.” Laurie frowned, looking between Sage and her uncle. “Stay?”

“Not sure that’s a great idea, pumpkin.” Oliver brushed her hair away from her face. “But I’ll see you next—”

“But it’s Halloween,” she protested, yanking on the jack o’lantern her father held. A Snickers bar fell out and I dove on that sucker like a crow on a field mouse.

Everyone laughed, even Sage while she settled her ice pack back into place.

“Mommy, you can have that one,” Laurie said benevolently, but I was still stuck on her calling me Mommy. It was still a rare, treasured thing, and I couldn’t breathe around the lump in my throat.

So I nodded and hurriedly peeled open the candy to give myself something to do. “Thanks, honey.”

“I’ll just go get her ready then. Keep the bloodshed to a minimum, please.” Seth gave his brother some serious side-eye before nudging Laurie up the stairs.

Oliver shrugged and unrolled his sleeves, pulling them back into place. “I feel my work here is done.”

“You’re done insulting me, you mean? After you let me hit the wall instead of saving me?”

“You swooned into Mike’s arms. What did you expect me to do? Push the other man out of the way?”

“I did not swoon, and yes, maybe. That might’ve been nice. At least Mike was kind enough to get me this ice pack while you stood around smirking.”

“I don’t smirk. And he got you the ice pack and left, while I’ve been listening to you whine for the last half hour. So who’s the better man, hmm?”

I took a bite of my Snickers, chewed, and swallowed. So glorious. “The better man in this scenario is upstairs getting his child ready for bed. You, sir, are behaving like an ass.” Oliver merely shrugged. “So did Mike if he rushed out of here after you got hurt, Sage,” I added.

She flushed. “His niece had to go. He was being responsible.”

“Yeah, yeah. He probably had a woman at home in his bed to get to. Speaking of,” Oliver glanced at his watch, “I’m late.” Before I could say another word, he gripped my shoulders and kissed me on the cheek. “Be well. I’ll see you soon.”

He glanced back at Sage. “Baby that cheek. Good luck inviting Mr. London to Vegas. I’m sure he’ll be overjoyed.”

He was gone before I could say so much as “peace out.”

Not that I would have said that, but sometimes Oliver’s overly stilted mannerisms made me want to use phrases my inner high school student would’ve been proud of. Though I didn’t have a clue how today’s kids spoke to each other.

Lord, I was so woefully unprepared to have a little one of my own.

“Can you believe him?” Sage adjusted the ice in her pack and slapped it back on her cheek. “He’s so condescending.”

“You’re not actually going to invite Mike to Vegas, right?” When Sage didn’t answer, I moved forward, brandishing my candy bar like my forgotten staff. “You barely know the man. That’s a big trip to go on with a virtual stranger.”

“We haven’t all known our soul mates since high school, Al. Some of us have to wade into the dating pool to see what kind of fish we get.” She sashayed past me, holding the ice pack above her head. “I’ll bring this back soon. Happy freaking Halloween.”

She closed the door behind her, and I took me and my Snickers to the family room couch that would be my lover for the rest of the evening.

I seriously did not have the energy to contend with Sage’s romantic problems. Maybe tomorrow I might. Or after I gave birth.

Or after she gets herself into trouble in Vegas and you have to send Seth to go bail her out.

Or worse, Oliver. Hmm, now wouldn’t that be something? Oliver being forced to be the white knight to save Sage from a horrible dating experience in the city of secrets and strippers and slot machines.

Nah, he’d never go.

Would he?

When Seth came back downstairs a few minutes later sans Laurie, I was half asleep and pondering Oliver chasing after Sage. Why, I didn’t know. I’d blame indigestion from the candy bar, but apparently, three bites had been enough before I set it aside.

“Fell asleep the minute I turned my back to get her pajamas out of the drawer.” Seth grinned and plopped down beside me on the couch. “She’s exhausted. Snoring like a puppy.”

“Aww. We still need to get her one of those.”

“After the baby is born,” Seth said as he always did.

“Mmm-hmm. Until you decide you want another one, and then it’s after that one’s born too.”

His dark eyes flared wide. “You’d be open to that?”

“No. Go fish. One space invader per half decade, pal.”

“We’ll see.” Chuckling, he tugged me close and spanned his hand over my belly. “I’m perfectly happy with the one we’re cooking right now.”

“Me too.” I snuggled against him. “Poor baby, she really wanted to watch the show.”

“I bought it on Amazon, so she can watch it whenever she likes.”

“You’re such a good daddy.”

“And you’re so almost asleep.” He reached for the throw tossed over the back of the couch and spread it over my legs before tugging me against his chest. “Want me to sing you a lullaby?”

“God, no. I want to actually rest, not have nightmares.” I stroked the patch of his chest revealed by his V-neck T-shirt, enjoying the prickle of the short hairs there against my skin. “Do you think Oliver would go with Sage to Vegas? You know, just to make sure she’s safe.”

“You did see how they were fighting tonight, right? What makes you think she’d be safer from him than the general population?”

“He’s a decent guy under the growl. He wouldn’t let her get into trouble.”

“What kind of trouble are we talking about? Like trip over a dick trouble or something more serious?”

I had to laugh. “She’s new to the sex stuff, and she doesn’t have a lot of experience with men. Vegas is a big, scary place for a small-town girl.”

“But somehow you think Oliver being there will help.” Seth brushed his hand over my hair, lulling me into that fuzzy place just before sleep. “He’s more dangerous than half the guys she’d meet. Maybe two-thirds. He doesn’t do second dates.”

“So? I didn’t say he’d have to date her. Just…watch her. Make sure she makes good choices. That’s my job, but I don’t want to miss a moment of Christmas with my guy and my little girl. Maybe I could get a temporary stand-in bestie.” I tucked my face into the crook between Seth’s neck and shoulder, savoring his familiar toasted sugar scent. “Jean at work might be willing to fill in if you really think Oliver wouldn’t take one for the team.”

“Oh, he’d definitely take one for the team. Only problem is he wouldn’t call her afterward.”

“Huh?”

“Go to sleep, Al. Just trust me that Oliver going to Vegas with Sage would be the worst possible thing that could happen.”

“The words ‘trust me’ never lead to good things,” I mumbled.

His deep laughter chased me into sleep.

The next time I opened my eyes, the room was dark except for the warm light from the fireplace and the glowing jack o’lantern on the side table. I rubbed my eyes and lifted my head, realizing Seth’s warm body was no longer my pillow. At some point, he’d stretched me out length-wise on the couch and covered me up. He’d probably gone up to bed or to check on Laurie.

Then I noticed the shadowy figure tucked into the chair in the corner. He held his tablet and was reading intently, the light from the screen reflecting over his face.

Like a creeper, I watched him for a few minutes, my skin heating and my pulse speeding up. I was so new to sex. So new to being intimate with him in this whole different way.

God, I couldn’t look at him and not want him. My breasts grew heavier, swelling against my bra. And my panties went damp.

“Stop staring and come over here.” He set aside his iPad.

Damn, caught again. It wasn’t the first time either.

Flushing, I set aside the throw and crossed the room to him. But I didn’t climb on his lap or say a word. I just kneeled in front of his legs—a little more unsteadily than I once had, due to the belly—and undid his zipper, registering his hiss of breath with a sense of triumph. He was mine, all mine. I knew how to unspool him. To make him putty in my hands.

Or in my mouth.

I reached in for his cock and drew him out of his boxers, beyond satisfied that he was already halfway to hard. He hissed again at the swipe of my tongue, the careful scrape of my teeth. Already, I understood what he liked, just as he did with me.

Dipping my head, I took him inside, farther and farther until I couldn’t take anymore. My eyes watered as I hollowed my cheeks, sucking hard. He laced his hands into my hair, gently pulling me down toward his groin. I could tell he was holding himself back, not wanting to harm me even accidentally. He was so careful with me and the baby. Even when his dick was filling my mouth and his balls were like knots under my wandering fingers.

I didn’t want to stop. Didn’t intend to. But he soon drew me to my feet in front of him and tugged on the laces of my surprisingly roomy costume, undoing the bodice and pulling down the long billowy skirt. He slid his hands up my legs, caressing my thighs, using his thumbs to tease the edges of my panties. They were plain white cotton, not the least bit sexy, but he still gazed at me as if he couldn’t wait to have me. His eyes were as dark as the night that pressed against the windows as he drew the fabric down and leaned forward to lap at me, his tongue teasing out my wetness again and again.

From behind, his thumb traced the crack of my ass, and I let out a long sigh as he slowly inched inside. One of these days—after I’d had the baby, thank you very much—he was going to take me there too. But for now, that seductive pressure as he licked my clit was enough to nudge me toward the boundaries of my control.

And then over it, shuddering, my hands gripping his hair for purchase. He gave me a minute to absorb the waves pulsing through me before drawing me forward so I could straddle his lap. His hands framed my belly as I settled into place, sinking onto his shaft with a long, low sigh. Every time he filled me, it was like the first time all over again. That instant of connection that spread out into all-consuming warmth.

This was my home. He was. Forever.

His fingers brushed my swollen belly on the way down to my clit, and I swear, I melted. Just softened around him until he groaned and nipped my tight nipple through my bra, then under it, nudging the material out of the way.

“Ride me,” he whispered, and I couldn’t do anything else. It was as if I’d been built for this one task.

I dug my nails into his shoulders, rising above him, throwing my head back so that my long hair brushed his legs. His thumb found my clit, and he worked it gently until I couldn’t hold back a shiver. His mouth grew frantic on my breast while his touches became rougher and more uncoordinated. I could feel him thickening with every thrust. No matter how hard I clenched around him, trying to delay the inevitable, there was no stopping it.

He reached up with fingers wet from me and slowly caressed my lower lip. “I love you so much.”

The words made my eyes go damp and my throat to close. Even hovering on the edge of orgasm, he could unwind me with a look or a few words.

“Both of you.” Then he stroked my belly and I was utterly, completely lost.

I drew back and lowered one more time, tightening around him as I gasped at the delicious pressure. He kissed me so sweetly, his lips molding to mine as I gave him everything. He groaned and followed me, his hips jerking, his breath hitching against my mouth. Filling me with all that incredible warmth.

Nothing could compare with sharing these moments with the man I loved.

The man I’d always loved.

He cleaned us both up and then we cuddled together in the big chair, half dressed in case we needed to see to Laurie and half undressed because I took every opportunity to be naked in his arms. Even if that nudity was only a missing top this time. His skin against mine was more decadent than the richest chocolate, and I savored every second.

Dropping my forehead to his, I traced his jaw with my thumb. And took the leap. “I love you too.”

His exhale ruffled my hair. “Good. Keep waiting for you to change your mind.”

It was so easy to smile and wrap my arms around him. “Pretty sure if it hasn’t happened in all these years, it’s not going to.”

“Yeah, but loving someone and being in love are two different things.”

“I’ve been in love with you since I knew what it meant.” I cupped his cheek. “You are the only man I’ve ever truly wanted.”

He didn’t reply, but his lips trembled before he firmed them, and God, that brief show of vulnerability was worth more than a thousand declarations.

“I’m so fucking lucky,” he murmured. “I didn’t deserve for you to wait all those years for me to get my act together, but I’m so grateful you did.”

“Yeah, well, feel free to repay me with copious hours of oral sex for the rest of our lives.”

His laughter made me respond in kind until another need arose. An urgent one.

“You okay?” he asked.

“No.” I sighed and wiggled my ass on his lap, which made him groan for a whole different reason other than love and romance. “Your son is dancing on my bladder and I gotta pee.”

He laughed and helped me to my feet. I’d pulled my top back on and taken two steps when he snagged my hand and tugged me back for a quick, hot kiss. “Happy Halloween, Ally Cat.”

I grinned. “Happy Halloween, Seth.”