Chapter Twelve

Kat

Stretching my aching muscles, I turned over, and, when my hands met bed sheets, my eyes snapped open.

Where had Jesse gone?

I didn’t, for one-minute, think he’d left, but I’d have liked to wake up with him in my bed. I’d have loved to feast on him for one more minute before we would shower together.

We’d made love for most of the night, and I’d surprised myself with how my old stamina had kept up with his younger one. The smile on my face started to slip when I remembered Miles and William were due to arrive later today. My belly fluttered with nerves, and somersaulted when I caught sight of the time…and I wanted to hurl when I heard voices downstairs.

I couldn’t hear enough to be able to recognize the voices or what they said, but I had a really bad feeling about who it was. More so after our brief run in with Mike last night.

Groaning, I jumped out of bed, and grabbed my robe. A shower could wait until I knew who it was, and what was going on. No matter how much I loved my sons, I knew that I’d choose Jesse if it came to that. Miles and William were old enough to have a life of their own, which they had. It was now time for me to be happy, and they would eventually accept that, if not straightaway.

My bedroom door opened without a sound as I crept through, before shaking my head because I felt ridiculous. And once I started making my way downstairs, I peered over the banister, and nearly fell over when my eyes met William’s.

He stared at me as intently as I stared at him, although he didn’t have a blush creeping all over his face like I did. I could feel the heat and wouldn’t be surprised if Jesse could feel it. William wasn’t happy, but as I made my way into the kitchen, I realized that he wasn’t unhappy either. There was a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“I guess I caught you, huh?” he commented.

I blinked and raced the rest of the way downstairs, the heat on my face about to incinerate me.

“Um…”

“You caught me a time or two, so turnabouts fair play, right?” He grinned, and started eating the food Jesse placed in front of him. “He cooks, so that’s something right there.” He pointed his fork in Jesse’s direction, but I couldn’t move my gaze from my youngest son.

“So, um, you’ve met?” I mumbled, Jesse laughed, took me by the hips, and lifted me onto a seat at the breakfast bar.

I finally met his gaze and realized he was amused. “We’ve met. I’ve made breakfast, which was apparently the right move to make. I told him I’m in love with you, so we’re good.” He slapped a kiss to my lips. “Good morning.” He kissed me softly. “Talk to your son while I get your breakfast.”

“Okay,” I whispered, meeting William’s gaze.

“Lighten up Mom,” he drawled. “Dad called Miles and me last night.”

“Which is why you’re here earlier than expected.” I looked around, and frowned.

“I left Sam sleeping at the Inn in town.” He grinned. “I wanted to check out what was going on here.” He raised his brows and smirked. “Mom, we haven’t been formerly introduced though. So why don’t you do that. In fact, I insist.” He grinned, and obviously enjoyed putting me on the spot. “Mom?”

Jesse cleared his throat. “I’d rather we didn’t embarrass your mom.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and kissed the top of my head.

“Bummer.” William chuckled. “So how did you two meet?”

I looked up and watched the grin spread across Jesse’s face. “On the street.”

“What?” William choked.

Jesse chuckled.

“That wasn’t funny.” I shoved Jesse.

“It was. A little bit.” He kissed my forehead. “It’s the truth though.”

I rolled my eyes.

“We met in town a while back, but have, um, well, been together a few weeks.” I rushed. “I know it’s—”

“Stop there.” William reached for my hand. “Mom, it was a surprise walking in and finding a guy here who you’ve obviously”—he winced—“spent the night with. It’s weird. I’ll get used to it, or learn not to drop in unexpectedly. But either way, I’m glad you’re getting on with your life. I won’t worry about you as much as I have been doing knowing you have someone close looking out for you.”

“That means a lot.” A tear slipped down my face, which I swiped away. “There’s just one more thing we might as well get out in the open.”

William frowned, looking between us. “What?”

“Jesse is younger than me.”

The man in question dipped his face into my neck and whispered, “You’re going to be the death of me,” before he nibbled my lobe.

I swatted his ass, and heard a soft groan as something dug into my hip.

I’d made him hard!

The man didn’t have an off-switch.

I giggled, which raised William’s brow. “Sorry.” I grinned.

William rolled his eyes. “I already know he’s younger than you.” He shook his head and laughed. “Dad made sure of that.” He looked at Jesse. “Just treat her right and we won’t have a problem… Now that’s sorted I’ll leave you two alone.”

“Wait”—Jesse reached out to William—“I need you to know that the years between us, doesn’t bother me. It bothers your mom, and I hope she’ll eventually forget about it. I just want her happy with me. She deserves to be cherished, and that’s what I intend to do.”

I felt tears reach my eyes, and quickly wiped them away, but more followed while I watched William and Jesse stare at each other.

William was the first to clear his throat. “I don’t know what, if anything, she’s told you about her marriage, but I think with how accepting about your relationship I am, that should tell you something.” He smiled. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my mom happy so I’m willing to be happy for her even though I’ll still be checking up on her.”

Jesse offered his hand again. “She’s your mom, I’d expect you to check up on her or visit whenever you want to. I don’t want you to think any of that will change now that I’m in the picture. I’d hope not anyway.”

“Just keep her happy.” He chuckled. “I’ll forget the coffee. I’m going to head back to my girl…after I’ve called Miles.”

With a kiss to my cheek, I watched my youngest make his way outside before I gave Jesse my full attention.

My hand slipped inside the band of his jeans and I tugged him real close. The quiver of his belly at my touch made me smile—I loved how he reacted to me. He really was a deliciously handsome man. My hand drifted upward, stroking along his torso with a teasing tug on his nipples.

The silence between us wasn’t uncomfortable, and I enjoyed the power I had over him. Just my touch ignited his arousal, which I could see bulging behind his zipper.

Even though I wanted to stroke lower, I concentrated on his collarbone before I teased his nipples with the promise of my touch. I met his heated gaze, and watched his eyes flare with need.

It gave me a heady sensation knowing he desired me as much as I did him, and I loved it when he gave me the freedom to touch him and explore.

“I’m not sure”—he dipped his head, hovering over my lips—“that it’s a good idea to get me aroused when your son could reappear.” He captured my upturned lips, and everything flew out of my head. All I felt and tasted was the man in front of me, who held me as though I was a treasure.

The tip of his tongue teased mine and, before long, I was pulled up into his arms as he held me tightly against his hard chest. His mouth was hungry, but so was mine.

“You,” he panted, “I can’t get enough of.” He nuzzled from my chin, down to the curve of my neck where he buried his face. With a kiss, he met my gaze. “I love you, Kat.” He smiled, and brushed the hair over my shoulder, which sent a shiver of delight down my spine.

I ran my hands up and down his back as he held me close. My arousal took a back seat at just the feel of him holding me the way he did, knowing he loved me, and wanted to cherish me. He made me feel as though I was the only one he ever wanted.