“So, about that trick you owe me from earlier . . .” I say from the chair at the corner of Katie’s bedroom when she enters.

Katie jumps. “What are you doing there?”

“That’s the second time you’ve asked me that question today, kitten. How about this? In the future, just assume that when I’m around you, it’s just because I want to be around you.”

“Why is it so dark here?”

“Why do you ask so many questions?” I pat my lap. “Come over here and sit with me.”

“Is William asleep yet?”

“Of course.” I made sure the little guy stayed out of Katie’s way while she was cleaning up earlier and put him to bed. That should’ve earned me some brownie points, right?

“Good.” Katie sighs, then she walks to her wardrobe and opens the doors.

“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” I get up.

“Getting changed. Getting ready to sleep. It’s been a long day.” Katie yawns. “You’ll have to go to work tomorrow, right? You should go home.”

Her words scrape over my skin, leaving me irritated. Why does she push me away?

Katie had a choice. She could’ve asked me to stay the night; she could’ve said nothing. Instead, she chose to shoo me away.

Meanwhile, I’ve been so consumed by my desire for her I can’t think straight.

I don’t even care that my mom’s been bugging me to bring her here to see her first and only grandson. I feel a little guilty about that, but I’ll deal with it later.

For now, Katie and I barely get enough alone time. Which is why I’m staying.

“Stop telling me to leave. I’m not leaving you, kitten,” I say firmly.

“Oh, that’s not what I meant,” Katie says, turning around, her eyes widening when she sees me already standing close to her. “It’s just . . . It’s late, and—”

I grab the base of Katie’s skull and pull her close to me. My fingers form a fist with her hair in it. “Just . . . shut up.”

Katie’s lips part like she’s about to ask something. But before she manages to say anything, I crush my lips against hers. I can’t wait anymore. I won’t. I’ve already been waiting all night.

Her lips are full. And sweet. And god, they’re so sweet and perfect. Just like the rest of her.

I trace her lips with my tongue and she opens up for me—tentative, but passionate. I get the feeling she’s holding back, and it annoys me.

I know I can make her mine with some patience, but I want her now. Not just her lips, which she’s readily giving to me now; and not just her body either, although I’m definitely going to fuck her tonight.

I want everything. Her body. Her soul. Her heart. Her mind. Her very self. Her submission.

When I pull back from the kiss, Katie’s fingers are clasped over my arms. She’s struggling to catch her breath. And I could be wrong, but her body feels hot to the touch.

I take the hem of her shirt and pull it up over her head, then I drop it on the floor. She’s not going to need it anymore tonight. She won’t need the bra either.

Katie looks mesmerizing as she stands before me. Her skin’s mottled with the cool moonlight as it filters through the leaves outside and streams into the bedroom. Her tits defy gravity, sitting so high and proud on her chest with hardened nipples peaking them.

She averts her eyes as I watch her. As if there’s any need to be self-conscious when she looks this good.

“What . . .?” Katie squints at the bed, frowning.

“What? What’s wrong?” I ask softly, putting one hand on her shoulder in an attempt to soothe her.

“Is that . . . William?” she asks.

“Yeah.”

Katie turns to face me and frowns.

“What?” I ask.

Katie doesn’t give me an answer. Instead, she dashes to the bed and sits down by William’s slumbering little body.

“What is it?” I whisper as I approach her.

“He’s not supposed to sleep here,” Katie whispers.

“I can move him if you want,” I offer.

“He really isn’t supposed to sleep here,” she repeats.

“I’m sorry, Katie. I’ll carry him to his crib now, okay?”

“Do you know what could’ve happened?”

“Look, we can argue, or we can move William into his crib and solve the problem.”

“I can do that.” Katie picks William up while she glares at me.

I follow her into the hallway where I plead my case. “He just fell asleep there.”

“Uh-huh.” Katie opens the door to William’s nursery and puts the little guy where he belongs while I wait in the doorway.

When she emerges from William’s room. She looks tired. It’s been a long day and she just wanted to sleep. I don’t know how, but apparently somehow I’ve ruined that.

“Do you know what could’ve happened to him?” Katie asks, sighing.

“No,” I say softly . “I wouldn’t have let him sleep there if I knew.”

“And did you really think it was a good idea to start stripping me naked while my son was asleep, just a few feet away?”

“You were there, and the moment was . . . He was asleep . . . He’s two . . .” I realize, as soon as each excuse slides out of my mouth, that it’s stupid.

“I’m sorry,” I say finally. “He was lying around on your bed, and he looked so sleepy. I couldn’t bring myself to move him. I didn’t want to wake him up. I’m sorry. I had no idea I wasn’t supposed to do that.”

Katie’s stare softens, then she drags air deep into her lungs and expels it.

“I work in a hospital,” she says. “Do you know what I see every day? People getting sick and dying, often with no warning at all. It doesn’t matter how young they are.”

“I won’t do it again,” I promise her. I don’t want to distress her like this again.

“Do you know what can happen when a baby falls off the bed?” she asks, fear darkening her eyes. Her voice comes out as a soft, hesitant whisper, as if she’s afraid fate is eavesdropping on us.

“No. I’m sorry, Katie. I’ll make sure to keep him somewhere safe from now on.”

“It could lead to a brain injury, or a concussion if the baby hits his head,” Katie continues, ignoring me. Her voice is shaking. She’s scared.

“I won’t let him get hurt on my watch. I promise. I’ll be more careful in the future.” I touch her delicate shoulder—she’s trembling. “Katie, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You need to be more careful.”

“I know. I promise you, I know that now. It takes me a while to get used to being in charge of a kid, but I’ll get the hang of it.” I wrap my arms around her. I want to hold her close against my chest, but her muscles are tense, and she’s not budging.

“William doesn’t have multiple lives to go through while you learn to get used to him,” Katie says, her voice stern but gentle.

“I know. I’m—”

“Yeah, you’re sorry. I know.” Katie cuts me off and sighs. “It was my fault. I shouldn’t have let you put him to bed. It’s too big of a responsibility. Maybe you should start with, I don’t know, spoon-feeding William?”

“If you say so. Anything to give you peace of mind. Anything to keep William safe and healthy. You’ve been doing a great job at that, so I’m sure you know what to do,” I say.

“I do. I’m bad at a lot of things, but I’d like to think I’m a pretty good mom.” Katie starts to relax.

“You’re a good mom.” I rub Katie’s back. “That wasn’t your fault. That was all me.”

“Sorry. I get a little . . . I don’t know. I sometimes go a little overboard when it comes to William’s safety.” Katie falls silent, but her body relaxes into my embrace, and her arms wrap around me.

I know I’ve pissed her off tonight, and I know she’s not in the best mood right now, but I’m pretty much on cloud nine.

Aside from the fact that I haven’t, in fact, killed my firstborn son, the mother of the aforementioned firstborn son has also just told me she wants me to stick around.

Katie doesn’t seem to realize she’s said anything important. But just the fact that she’s seen me screw up and she’s giving me a chance to learn not to screw up again means a lot to me.

After all, William’s the most important thing in the world to her, and she trusts me with him. What bigger compliment can a man get?

No matter what it takes, I’ll live up to my promise. I’ll make Katie proud. I’ll show her it’s not a mistake to put her trust in me.