My body was spent. Two rounds of amazing sex with Steed and countless orgasms today, and I was a puddle of mushy happiness. We laid on the blanket, our bodies tangled up with one another, as we stared out at the beautiful view in front of us.
“How do you feel?” Steed asked while his fingertips moved lightly across my arm.
“Amazing. Wonderful. Marvelous. Fantastic. Satisfied. Relaxed.”
The rumble in his chest from his laughter moved through my body. I had never felt so elated in my life.
“I’m glad you feel all of that.”
“And more,” I added. “So much more.”
Our heads turned to each other. The love in Steed’s eyes warmed my heart. He gently traced his fingertip over my face, lips, and jaw. Everywhere he touched I was on fire. Not to mention it sent my stomach into a frenzy of twists and turns.
“I like the more part the best,” he softly said.
Reaching down, he wove his fingers with mine. The sun was sinking farther down the sky.
“May I ask you something, Pax?”
“Of course you can,” I answered as I looked at him.
“The tattoo on your foot, when did you get it?”
Glancing down at the scrolled tattoo that read “Let It Be”, I drew in a deep breath and blew it out.
“I got it after my last counseling session. I picked that phrase because it had finally hit me that what I really needed to do was let go. That I couldn’t let my sadness and anger control my life. I needed to let it be. Go the way fate was taking me and know that it would all work out someday.”
Steed sat up and ran his finger over the tattoo before glancing back at me. “I love you. I love your strength, your faith, and your kind soul. You’re amazing.”
Smiling, I sat up and placed my hand on the side of his face. “Thank you for that.”
His hand cupped the back of my neck, drawing me closer to him. The kiss was soft and gentle. It was the perfect way to end this part of the evening.
“We should get dressed before Trevor shows up.”
He nodded, but the disappointment in his eyes was evident.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
We both stood and silently got dressed. Then we settled back on the blanket, me between his legs with my head resting against his solid chest. The sun was touching the hills and turning the sky the most beautiful colors. Pinks and reds spread across the horizon in beautiful wisps of clouds. It was stunning.
The sound of two vehicles pulling up had us both turning.
“Who’s driving your truck?” I asked as Steed stood and helped me up.
A wide smile curled his mouth. “Mitchell. He’s got Chloe.”
“Chloe?” I asked with my own grin.
“Yeah, she’s going to join us for movie night. I thought she might like to do that with us.”
Oh. My. Gosh. This man. Swoon-a-thon going on here.
The way he loved his daughter did crazy things to my heart. I fell even more in love with him knowing he wanted to make Chloe a part of our day.
“That sounds amazing!”
I took his hand in mine and kissed the back of it. “Steed, Chloe is very much a part of our relationship and in no way do I resent anything about that. It warms my heart to see you with Chloe and know how much you love her. She is a part of my heart now too, and I’d give my last breath for her.”
Steed’s eyes widened in surprise before they filled with tears. He opened his mouth to say something, but instead of speaking, he closed his eyes and slowly shook his head before catching my gaze.
“I love you so fucking much.” He pulled my body against his and pressed his mouth to mine. The trucks stopped, and I had thought he would let me go, especially knowing Chloe was here. But he didn’t. He held me tighter and kissed me deeper. By the time he was done I was dizzy and had to hold onto his arms to steady myself.
“Wow,” I breathed.
He grinned. “I want her to see what true love is.”
Oh lord. There goes my heart again.
“Daddy! Paxton!” Chloe said as she ran up to us. Instead of hugging just Steed, her little arms wrapped around both of us. We dropped to her level at the same time. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw how happy she looked, a grin spread wide across her face.
“I had the best day with Aunt Meli and then Uncle Mitchell picked me up and took me for ice cream! But it wasn’t at the store!”
Steed pulled his head back with a surprised expression. “It wasn’t? Where was it?” he asked as he glanced up to Mitchell.
“It was this farm house. Daddy! They made the ice cream and asked me what kind I wanted and if I wanted anything in it!”
“What did you get?” I asked.
Chloe smiled. “Chocolate with strawberries cause that’s your favorite, Paxton. And I want to be just like you and grow up to marry a cowboy like my daddy!”
I was overcome with emotion, and it took every ounce of strength I had not to cry.
Taking her hands in mine, I replied, “I love that plan, Chloe. So very much.”
Steed pulled her to him, making her squeal in delight. “Let me help your uncles, then I have a surprise for my two favorite girls. But no more talk of you growing up.”
Chloe kissed him on the cheek, then reached for my hand. My heart fluttered, and I had to put my other hand over my stomach to calm the butterflies. This sweet little girl held a piece of my heart so strongly I was almost brought to tears.
I knew Chloe had never had a real mother figure in her life, and I was going to do everything in my power to be there for her, always.
“Did you and Daddy have fun on your day together?” Chloe asked.
Gazing down at her big blue eyes, I smiled. “We did. Your daddy is very romantic.”
She nodded. “He likes sunsets and always says they remind him of his special spot on the ranch. Is this his special spot? Is that why he brought you here?”
My eyes swept over to where Steed was helping Mitchell and Trevor put Allure into the trailer. I felt breathless watching him. “Yes, Chloe Cat. Your daddy used to bring me here all the time. It was kind of our spot.”
When I glanced back down at her, she had a dreamy expression on her face. “I hope I can marry a boy someday who is like my daddy.”
Dropping down to meet her eye to eye, I pulled her in for a hug. “Me too, baby girl.”
When she leaned back, her little eyes looked deep into mine. “I love you, Paxton.”
I almost fell on my ass. Her words hit me square in the chest and dug themselves deep within my heart, and I was positive they would stay buried deeply forever. Lifting my hand to the side of her sweet little face, I let out a shaky breath. “Oh, Chloe. I love you too.”
Her little arms wrapped around my neck and she whispered, “I pray each night you’ll be my mommy. I hope God hears me.”
Closing my eyes, I struggled to keep the tears back. “I pray for the same thing, Chloe.”
“Does he hear us?”
I’d never in my life experienced this feeling before. A love so pure and real it would forever own my heart. “I know he hears us.”
When she pulled back, I opened my eyes to see Steed standing behind Chloe. The way he stared at me made my chest squeeze, and my heart take a dive straight to my stomach. I prayed I hadn’t said anything I shouldn’t have, but I wanted to be honest with Chloe. Dropping to his knees, Steed wrapped us both in his arms and slid his hand behind my neck. Pulling me closer, he kissed my lips.
“I love you both.”
Chloe giggled. “Kiss me, Daddy! Kiss me!”
Jumping up, Steed picked up Chloe and kissed her with a quick peck on the mouth then kissed her cheek.
“Give me some of that loving!” Mitchell said as he took Chloe and started flying her around like a plane. She laughed and cried out as Mitchell traded her off to Trevor.
I smiled as I watched three of the Parker brothers totally get lost in the love of one little girl. And oh how easy it was to get lost in Chloe’s love.