Chapter Twenty-Two
“I’M GOING TO be a father,” Gage said for the umpteenth time since his family had arrived Christmas morning. They’d called their family members and told them the incredible news the day after they’d found out—after purchasing new pregnancy tests and verifying the results. Gage stood beside the fireplace with his father and his brothers, Duke and Jake, and Trish’s husband, Boone. “Sally doesn’t know this yet, but I’ve already stuffed the hall closet with two kid’s baseball gloves—one brown and one pink—a set of kids’ skis, and the designs to a treehouse for the backyard. Not that I’m excited or anything.” Gage glanced into the kitchen, where his beautiful wife had been cooking all day with his mother and the other women. The house smelled like cinnamon and mulled cider with a touch of bourbon, turkey, and cookies all wrapped up in the arms of love. Sally looked gorgeous in the red empire-waist dress they’d bought in Virginia. Gage swore the sweetheart neckline looked fuller since they’d bought it, but Sally insisted it was wishful thinking. He couldn’t wait to see her body change as their baby grew. They’d tried to figure out how she ended up pregnant, and as they pieced together their wedding night, they remembered making love more than once, but neither of them remembered opening more than one condom. It was destiny, Gage had told her, but Sally had liked Danica’s answer better. That she’d needed the alcohol to take what she’d wanted for so long. Like he’d said, alcohol or not, it was all meant to be. Destiny. His beautiful bird had come home to nest, and he couldn’t be happier.
His father draped an arm over his shoulder, bringing his mind back to their conversation. “Well, son, I think I know where you got that from. Your mother doesn’t think I know this, but she’s got a cabinet full of baby clothes—pink and blue—toys, and all sorts of things, just waiting for her new grandbaby.”
“She’s got another baby to buy for,” Duke reminded him.
“Your mother’s got another cabinet full of stuff for yours and Gabby’s baby,” his father said. “And she’s ready to purchase gifts for another grandchild. But it appears Blue hasn’t gotten the memo yet.”
Blue looked up from the couch where he sat beside Cash, each bouncing one of the twins on their lap. “Nothing like a little pressure. How about Boone and Trish?”
Boone splayed his hands with a mischievous expression. Tattoos snaked out from his rolled-up sleeves. “You never know.”
“Better you than us,” Jake chimed in. “Right, Addy?” he called into the kitchen.
Addy blew him a kiss. Lizzie set a tray of cookies on the counter, and Trish snagged one, passing it from hand to hand like a hot potato. The girls laughed, and Sally’s laughter rose above the rest, calling Gage’s attention. Man, that laugh.
Rusty came in from outdoors and kissed his mother’s cheek before stealing a cookie. After the initial shock of the marriage had worn off, Rusty had surprised them with his maturity. He’d offered to help paint the extra bedroom and set up the nursery. He’d even given them a onesie that said Made in Vegas. Gage looked forward to spending more time with Rusty as their family blended together.
Gage turned his attention to the man who had taught him about strength, love, and loyalty, feeling thankful. In a world where so many couples ended in divorce and families fell apart with the change of the wind, his father had been a pillar of strength. And today, when Gage needed him most of all, he was right there by his side. He hoped to be as good a father and role model as Ned had been for him.
“Hey, Dad, thanks for standing by me.”
Ned pushed his wire-framed glasses up the bridge of his nose. His goatee was flecked with gray, but the mischief in his eyes made him look ten years younger. “That’s what fathers are for, son. You’ll see.”
“Now I understand why Dad got so pissed at us when we used to sneak out,” Cash said. “I’d go out of my mind if I woke up at two in the morning and one of these guys was missing.”
“You’ve got double trouble on your hands, buddy.” Gage patted his shoulder as he made his way toward his beautiful wife.
“Don’t worry, Gage,” Rusty said as he came out of the kitchen. “I’ll keep my little brother or sister in line.”
“Little Rusty’s all grown up,” Jake teased.
Rusty scoffed and faked a punch to Jake’s gut. Gage chuckled. Sally looked up from the vegetables she was chopping and handed the knife to Trish. She moved gracefully across the floor and into Gage’s arm.
“Merry Christmas, my beautiful bird.”
“Merry Christmas.”
He kissed her tenderly. “Our nest is very full tonight.” He nibbled on her neck the way he knew drove her mad.
“I wish my parents could have made it back to celebrate with us.”
“Me too, babe.”
She put her arms around him. Her parents had been excited about their marriage and baby, which had surprised Sally. But it hadn’t surprised Gage, because they’d given up their daughter once, and anyone who had lost this incredible woman surely wouldn’t want a repeat performance.
Gage slid his hand down her hip, giving her butt a gentle squeeze. “How much time do we have until dinner?”
Sally’s cheeks pinked up, and she lowered her voice. “Not enough time for that, especially with your entire family here.”
SALLY’S STOMACH FLIPPED and dipped as Gage tried relentlessly to seduce her, nipping at her lips, whispering sweet thoughts into her ears, and brushing his cheek over hers. She was so used to seeing him in casual clothes that when he’d dressed that morning in his dark slacks and a white button-down, he’d actually taken her breath away. And now, as his family mingled around them, the look in his eyes caused the same lapse of lung power.
“Two minutes, baby. Give me two minutes to make you feel good. You know I can do it,” he said in an enticing voice. “Seeing you in this dress is driving me crazy.”
“Could have fooled me. You and your brothers spent most of the day outdoors.”
“Be glad I kept them out of your hair. You know how riled up they can get.”
He slicked his tongue around the shell of her ear. “Come make out with me, baby. I’ll make it up to you.”
She clutched his shirt as he placed openmouthed kisses along the base of her neck, wreaking havoc with her mind. “It won’t be enough. I’ll need you.”
“That can be arranged,” he said heatedly.
He winked and headed for the bedroom, leaving her alone to ponder his offer. Her finger would lose circulation if she twirled her hair any tighter around it. Maybe no one would notice if they were gone for just a few minutes. She glanced furtively around the room. Everyone seemed content. With her heart pounding out a thrilling beat, she slipped into the bedroom.
“Gage?” she whispered.
He hauled her into the bathroom and locked the door behind her with a rapacious look in his eyes. “I knew you’d come. Now let your man make you really come.”
He backed her up against the door, his hungry eyes pinning her in place as he gathered the hem of her dress and lifted it up. He dropped to his knees and pulled her panties down.
“Gage, we shouldn’t—” She tangled her hands in his hair as he did that magical thing with his tongue that made her toes curl. “Ohmygod—we should. We definitely should if you can be fast.”
His talented fingers took her right up to the edge, and just as she was about to come, he bolted to his feet and dropped his pants, burying himself to the hilt. Nothing compared to making love with him without anything between them. Pregnancy rocked. Sensations exploded inside her chest like fireworks. She wound her arms around his neck and he lifted her up, using the wall for leverage.
“Gage, you in there?” Jake’s voice came through the bathroom door.
“Ohmygod!” Sally whispered.
Gage put his finger over her lips, silencing her. “I’ll be another minute or two.”
Sally tried to push from his arms, meeting the halting look in his eyes with an are-you-freaking-crazy glare.
“The girls are looking for Sally,” Jake said.
He chuckled, and she glared at him again. “Check the guest bathroom.”
Jake was quiet for a second, and then he said, “While I pretend to do that, how about you two hurry up. Jesus, what is it about Ryders and bathrooms?”
Gage ground his teeth together, slowly thrusting, and driving Sally mad despite their embarrassing situation. They listened to Jake leave the room, and Sally finally breathed.
“I can’t believe I let you convince me to do this!”
“Baby,” he said in that sexy, loving voice that broke down her defenses. “He kept our other secret. He won’t tell a soul. Let me knock this off my naughty bucket list. Do you know how many Christmases I’ve dreamed of doing this with you?”
“About as many times as I have.”
She surrendered to the fierce domination of his lips. Their bodies took over, creating that perfect harmony, which carried them to the peak of passion.