Chapter Ten

Trina

Nearly a week had gone by since everything went down with Jensen, who was already back in a Connecticut prison cell, but things hadn’t quite returned to normal. Jack still walked around jumpy as hell and scared all the time. He hardly left my side, deciding to forego the last two weeks of his classes at the community center to make sure nothing happened to me. He’d fall asleep each night in bed with me and Baz, which I knew Baz secretly loved.

He thought I didn’t notice, but he smiled every time Jack’s hand smacked his face in his sleep or snuggled close and yes, I found it wildly sexy how eager he was to experience all of parenthood. The good and the bad. He could’ve left the day the Sheriff carted Jensen to jail but he was in no hurry to leave and neither me nor Jack were in a rush to get rid of him.

I was, however, ready to move forward with him. Whatever that meant.

Done for the day, I pushed my chair back and grinned. My book was finally finished and ready to go to my editor which meant I had more than enough time to spend with Jack until he felt safe again.

I shut down my computer and closed the door behind me, changing into a brand-new sundress before joining my boys in the backyard. We had plenty to celebrate, starting with being alive and our new lives. Maybe a new whole family unit. And of course, the end of summer. I stood at the door and watched my two boys interact, they were both all smiles, green eyes shining with love and affection. And mischief.

“Look Dad, I got it!” At Jack’s words, Baz bent forward to check out his latest skateboard trick.

“Pretty damn cool, kid.” He beamed a proud smile that touched my heart and parts further south. Watching Baz be the dad I always wanted for my son was a huge turn on. And what it did for Jack, was a feeling I couldn’t possibly describe. Each day Jack grew more confident and courageous. More outgoing and even though I hated it, more fearless.

I stepped out into the yard. “Hey guys, what’s a girl gotta do to get some food around here?”

“You can start by kissing the chef,” Baz told me as he beckoned me over, kissing me long and hard when I walked into his arms. I didn’t know if it was the heat from the grill or the heat we always generated when we were together, but I felt hot and needy and downright sexy.

I pulled back, breathless and smiling. “I love the chef so kissing him is no hardship. Food or not.”

His eyebrows wiggled suggestively and his arm tightened around my waist. “Good, because I have it on good authority the chef loves you back. In fact, I heard he plans to marry you.”

I gasped at his words because the last I’d heard of it was while being held hostage by my crazy ass ex. “Oh really? Well just between you and me, Darlin’, I can’t wait until he asks.”

He kissed me again, deeply and passionately and so filled with hunger I felt the first stirrings of arousal, quickly crushed by the sound of Jack gagging on the far side of the yard. “Good to know,” he told me, emerald eyes shimmering with desire before he smacked my ass. “Go sit, the food’s all done.”

I glanced at the table, piled high with enough food to feed the whole club. “Are we having guests?” No one answered because they were too busy stacking their plates with food and eating. Like animals.

“Teddy is coming over later, but first we have some things to talk about,” Jack said seriously. “I’d like to have dad’s last name.”

“Oh.” I wasn’t all that surprised so I nodded, chewing my burger slowly and waiting for whatever they had planned next. Baz took my hand and pressed a kiss to the inside of my wrist.

“Jack isn’t the only one I want to give my name to, Trina. I love you, Sweetness. I have loved you since you drank me under the table that night you kissed me.”

I had to laugh at that. “Oh I kissed you? You totally kissed me.”

He shook his head, fighting the grin as Jack pretended to gag beside us. “Either way, it was the first of many great kisses. And more. And I want to spend the rest of our lives seeing what kind of kisses we’ll share as we welcome more kids, get Jack his first motorcycle and of course, our honeymoon kisses.”

“Ew, gross.”

Baz laughed and reached over to ruffle our son’s hair. “Sorry buddy but it’s true. Your mom is a world class kisser.”

Jack stood and stole a mini sausage from my plate. “I changed my mind about all this. If you guys are gonna kiss all the time, no thanks.”

That drew a laugh from both of us as Baz turned his attention back to me and pulled out a small black velvet bag. He turned the bag upside down and dropped a ring in my hand. “Trina Mosley, I’ve never loved any other woman but you and ten years ago I fucked it all up. But this time, today, all I want is you and Jack. Be my wife Trina, let me make up for the past. Let us have the future we deserve.”

My lower lip trembled as he plucked the ring from my palm and slid it over my ring finger. This was everything I wanted, ten years in the making. Now the chance was right in front of me, to have a life with the only man other than my son I ever truly loved and I nodded silently. “I can’t wait to marry you Baz. So yes, I want all of that.” Cupping his face, I kissed him, hard and fast. “But I don’t need or want you to make up anything to me. Let’s just enjoy now and make a great future for our family.”

“Good because I have some ideas for future inspiration. Miss Chantilly.”

I choked at his words. “How…oh my god! How did you find out?”

He rolled his eyes. “Jack and Talon dropped some pretty big hints but I am a tech god, you know?”

I laughed and wrapped my arms around him, feeling safe and content. Loved. For the first time in a very long time, I had that feeling of rightness, when everything in life just slides right into place. “Are you okay with this Jack?” I asked even though his beaming smile was answer enough.

He nodded. “Dad asked already and I told him yes. I get to be the best man.”

“Then I guess we should start planning a wedding!”