TWO

Decker ran a hand over his face and cursed, remembering he had on his work gloves at the last minute. It was hot as hell outside, and they were in the process of removing a roof that would not die. Sweat slid down his back and face, and now that he’d run his gloved hand over himself, he was even dirtier than he had been before.

The sun beat down on him, and he was pretty sure he’d lost a few pounds just from sweat and the fact that he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Hell, his quick bite of toast and egg whites with Miranda that morning seemed like far too long ago. He’d also eaten most of her portion because she hadn’t been in the mood, but that only meant that she was probably starving, as well.

He knew she’d packed her lunch that morning, and hopefully, she’d take a break to eat when she could. She was just as bad as he was when it came to taking care of himself during a work day.

“Drink this,” Luc said as he handed over a bottle of water. Condensation had accumulated on the outside of it, and Decker grinned, knowing it would be cool on his hot, parched throat.

“Thanks, man,” Decker said with a grunt as he took the bottle from his brother-in-law and co-worker. He twisted off the cap and drank down half the contents in one go. His throat practically sighed in happiness at the pure taste. Later, he’d have a beer and drink it much the same way after a day like this.

“It’s hot as hell out here,” Luc said after he’d finished off his own bottle. “I’m going to be happy when we can get back to our air-conditioned office.” He rubbed his shoulder, and Decker winced for the man. The gunshot wound had healed, but Decker was pretty sure Luc would be sore there after long days for years to come. “I’m not as young as I used to be.”

Decker snorted. “None of us are.” He looked around the roof and then back up at the sky. Not a cloud to be seen. “Fuck. Okay, guys, take five. Get hydrated and put on sunscreen since I don’t want you guys complaining about burns tomorrow.”

The other guys nodded, sending out thanks and grunts before doing as Decker ordered. It was good to be the boss sometimes.

“I could use another bottle of water,” Luc said as he turned and made his way off the roof. Decker followed after he’d guzzled the rest of his drink. “Man, I’m exhausted. Meghan was up half the night sick as a dog, and I didn’t want her to be alone so we got like no sleep. Thankfully, she’s working in the greenhouse today, so I know she’s sitting down a bit.”

“Morning sickness?” Decker asked.

“Yeah, apparently it hit her hard with Cliff and Sasha. But since I wasn’t here then…” The other man trailed off. “I still can’t believe I missed out on ten years with her.”

Decker sighed. “You lost ten years, but you have way more than that left. She got two kids out of the deal with that jerkwad ex of hers, and now the asshole is in prison where he belongs. You guys are going to have another baby soon, and your brood will keep growing. Losing ten years sucks, but hell, you’re a family now. Love it.”

“You know I do.” Luc looked out over the project site and cursed. “And hell, there’s my lovely wife now. Of course, she couldn’t stay away, even when it’s hot as hell.”

Decker grinned as Luc went off without as much as a goodbye to see his pregnant wife and best friend. While Luc had married his best friend, Decker had married his best friend’s little sister and didn’t mind the fact that they all gave him shit for it. Of course, as soon as he saw the way Luc doted on Meghan, it just brought forth images of Decker doting on Miranda. They’d only just started to try to have a baby, and he knew it would be a little while yet until he was holding her hair back during her bouts of morning sickness. But it couldn’t come soon enough.

He freaking loved that woman, and couldn’t wait to see her round with his child. Of course, it would be nice if she could take some time off since she was a little stressed these days. She worked too hard, but hell, so did every teacher he knew. There was no way he’d tell her not to work, so they’d just have to find balance. They always did.

By the time the day was over and he’d sent the crew home, he was covered in sweat and dirt, more than a few scrapes, and had a massive headache. But the former roof was gone, and they were ready to start the next phase. He drove home, Miranda on his mind, and in desperate need of a shower.

When he walked into the house he shared with his very adorable wife and dog, he smiled at the scent of cooked meat and vegetables. Though he needed a shower, he dropped off his things near the door and made his way into the kitchen where his sexy as all hell wife danced in front of the stove, stirring the contents of the wok with one hand and reading her Kindle from the other.

She wiggled that very delectable ass of hers around as she hummed to herself. How she could cook, read, dance, sing, and nod at the dog, who slept in the corner, all at once was beyond him. Yet he loved her even more because of it. So fucking much.

He also couldn’t keep his eyes off her ass, and knew he’d be fucking it later. Because, hell, they both loved when he did that.

When she set her spoon down, he cleared his throat. He’d have moved closer, tugging on her hips to grind his now hard cock against her, but he didn’t want to startle her. He knew better than to sneak up on her after what had happened before.

He pushed those thoughts from his mind as she turned around, a smile on her face. She wore a tank top and very short shorts. And because the gods loved him, she wore no bra, so her nipples poked at her shirt, begging for his tongue.

“You’re home,” she said with a smile. Her gaze raked over him, her eyes darkening. “And you’re dirty.”

“Not as dirty as you,” he growled and stalked toward her. He wrapped her hair around his fist, tilted her head to the side, and licked up her neck before gently biting down.

“Decker,” she breathed.

“I want to fuck you.” Lick. Suck. Bite. Kiss.

“I need to turn the burner off first.”

Lick. Suck. Bite. Kiss.

“Let me get you off here, then we’ll eat. Then I’ll eat you. Then I’ll fuck you.”

Her head rolled back as he slid his hand under her shorts. He speared her, fucking her with his fingers as his thumb flicked her clit.

“Decker,” she breathed again as she came. He loved that she was such a quick trigger. His wife was a siren when she came, all sweetness, heat, and everything.

“Love you,” he growled.

Lick. Suck. Bite. Kiss.

“Love you, too, bad boy.” She kissed his chin. “Now, go shower before dinner because you’re not getting our chair dirty.”

He chuckled then. Yeah, being married was nothing like he’d thought it would be, and yet everything he wanted.

Perfection.