Kat
“Mom.” Someone nudges my arm. “Mom, wake up.”
Popping one eye open, I come face to face with a smiling Roxie. For a brief moment, I wonder where I am, and why she’s in here. Then a lightbulb clicks on, and I clumsily knife up in bed. Crap, I fell asleep after all those orgasms, and now my kids are home! Roxie’s in the bedroom, and I’m… I glance down at my state of complete undress. Shit. Shit. Double shit. Panic seizes me as I clutch at my chest, and glance over my shoulder to see Ryker dead to the world, lying on his back with his arms fanned above his head, much like Walker from earlier today. I heave a sigh of relief that there’s at least a scrap of sheet covering him from the waist down. Lord Almighty, that was a close one, I nearly had a freaking heart attack.
Pretending it isn’t a big deal that my daughter caught me naked in bed with her father, I slide off the mattress, and redress myself at a steady, unhurried pace. When on the inside, I’m dying a thousand deaths, about to puke my guts out, and my hands are shaking. Why didn’t we think to lock the damn door? This cannot happen again. Ever. It was too close of a call. If he didn’t look so damn sexy sleeping peacefully, with a small smile playing on his lips, I might actually punch Ryker in the junk for getting us into this mess in the first place. I didn’t ask to have my pussy licked. He demanded it—or else. Not that I’m complaining, exactly. It’s thirty percent my fault for agreeing to this madness. Shame hits me square in the chest as I turn back around to see Roxie now staring down at Walker in his bassinet.
Playing it cool, I approach her to check on them both. Walker’s wide awake. And by the slobbery state of his fists, he has been for a while. I nudge Rox’s shoulder with mine. “How was school?”
She shrugs. “Good.” Monosyllabic answers, that’s not good.
Is she pissed about what she saw? Hurt? It’s not unusual for her to see me nude. I’m not one to always cover up. Not when we live by the motto, ‘We’re all girls, we have the same parts.’ Granted, we’re not all the same. My breasts are way bigger, and I have hair downstairs whereas they’re both beginning to grow some. Ick. Why can’t they stay babies forever? Trust me, when you have to start buying training bras and deodorant for your kids, you wanna hop in a time machine and go back to yesteryear where puberty didn’t exist.
“Um, where’s Scarlett?” I ask, treading lightly just in case.
“She’s eating yogurt in the kitchen. I told her I’d wake you up.” She tickles little man’s belly. He squirms trying to eat his fingers. It’s time for me to make him a bottle and change his diaper.
“Hey you,” the hot man from the bed groans a tired yawn, stretching his arms above his head, abs flexing through the movement. He should put some clothes on before mine combust, and I have to ride his face again to get relief. Ryker doesn’t understand the holy terror he unleashed in me today. My solo O’s were getting the job done. Now that he’s given me a taste of filet mignon there’s no way I’m going back to hamburger.
“Hey, Dad.” Rox shuffles around Walker’s bed and goes to Ryker. Who’s got his arms spread wide for an obvious hug. Roxie lays her chest on his, and gets swallowed up in those arm muscles that encase her much smaller form. A swirl of potent joy churns in my gut at the sight.
He kisses her forehead, and I cringe, thinking about where that mouth has been. “How was school?” Ryker inquires.
Roxie chuckles a light happy sound. “Mom already asked me that.”
“And what did you say?”
“Good.”
“That’s it? It was good? Did Jamie ask for another pencil today?”
Who’s Jamie, and why haven’t I heard about him before?
Roxie shakes her head, nose nuzzling her dad’s pec like he’s a soft, cushy teddy bear. It’s heartwarming to witness. This is what I’ve always wanted for her. For them both. There’s only so much you can give your kids as their mother. This, right here, isn’t one of them.
“Good. That’s what I like to hear. Jamie needs to buy his own pencils and stop tryin’ to steal my daughters.”
“Dadddd,” Roxie drones.
Ryker smirks at Rox’s reaction and flashes me a wink. ‘I love you,’ he mouths, making me weak in the knees, stomach fluttery.
Should I mouth it back? Is that what I’m supposed to do? God, this is so foreign I’m not sure how to act.
Not wanting to leave him hanging, I return the same sentiment. His cheeks flush as a shy smile tugs at the edge of his lips. Just when I think Ryker can’t get any more attractive, he does. Being a good dad does wonders for his hot factor. Add the unexpected shyness, and I’m smitten.
Giving my daughter and her father some privacy to talk, I grab a diaper for Walker from underneath the bassinet and lift the squirmy worm from his bed. Holding him to my chest, I about face and waddle toward the hall.
“Kat,” Ryker calls, stopping me midstride.
I glance over my shoulder. “Yes?”
“Kade’s gonna pick me up in about an hour. We’ve got some club business to attend to tonight.”
Already? He got out of the hospital a few days ago. What would they need with him when we just got him back?
Swallowing down my argument like a hot branding iron, I give a firm nod, lips pursed.
“Kat?” Ryker prompts again.
“Yes?” I try hard not to snap and fail.
“I’ll be home in the morning.”
Great. Fabulous. Not only is he leaving, he’s staying out all night doing who knows what with his club brothers. And I know if I ask what he’s doing it’ll fall on deaf ears. Club business always stays club business… Please excuse me while I puke in my mouth.
“Yup,” I reply.
“Babe, don’t be like that.”
“Be like what?”
“Mad.”
“I’m not mad.”
“We’ve been over this. I know you. You’re upset.”
So? Why does it matter what I think or how I feel? It doesn’t when it pertains to the club, he’s made that crystal clear. If he doesn’t quit, we, as a family, fall second in line. I get it. What I don’t understand is why my heart suddenly hurts so much. It’s not like he’s leaving us for good. He’s staying the night with my dad, Bear, and Kade, so it can’t be all bad. Tell my heart that, though, she’s cracking like Humpty Dumpty for no reason.
Refusing to have any more of this conversation with Roxie present, I ignore him and exit the bedroom with my current priority—Walker. This little one needs my attention, and I’m more than happy to give it.