“Guess who’s eloping when we swing through Vegas on the West Coast leg of the tour?” Summer’s excitement vibrated through her voice as she leaned over the melting remnants of her brownie à la mode. “This girl.”

“I’m going to be there too,” Chase reminded her drily, giving her ponytail a tug.

“Now we’re really celebrating.” With a laugh, Cass scooted around the booth to give Summer an enthusiastic hug. “That’s amazing. You know we’re going to fly out there to stand in as your witnesses, right?” She glanced over her shoulder at Ang and Sterling. “We all will. It’ll be a blast.”

Ang reached for her pink lemonade. The more she wanted this thing with Sterling to grow roots, the worse her concerns became that they’d be ripped out. Planning for their happy future where they traveled to couples’ things together seemed like a risky pastime from where she was sitting. “When’s the Vegas show?”

“I gotta check the schedule for sure, but I think it’s early February.”

Sterling stroked Ang’s back. “She’ll be eight months along then. Unfortunately, she won’t be able to fly.”

Ang tried not to bristle. He was right, of course, but the way he just took over speaking for her sometimes drove her nuts.

Mainly because she didn’t want to get too used to any of this. The more he inserted himself into her world, the harder it would be to deal with his loss if he split.

“So drive out to meet us. By then she’ll need a party to cheer her up from her swollen ankles and hemorrhoids.”

“Jesus, Summer.” Chase lightly smacked the back of Summer’s head while everyone laughed. “Can you be any more tactless?”

Ang had to grin. “I have no hemorrhoids right now. Just wanted to put that out there. Swollen ankles?” She peeked under the table. “Yeah, pretty much.”

More laughter.

Conversation turned to Cass’s newly reopened ice cream shop, and the grand reopening celebration she had planned in two weeks. That involved more talk of them hanging out together and being all coupled up and perky. As much as Ang craved that idyllic future, she had too many loose ends to snip off before she allowed herself to dream she could be a regular member of their crew.

Like Pete. She’d left a message asking him for a few more days before she gave him her answer about signing the papers, but he hadn’t gotten back to her yet. She’d mostly made up her mind to sign. That wasn’t the problem.

The problem was the hard truths the family lawyer she’d spoken to had shared about the document’s viability. The only chance they had of making it a binding agreement validated by a judge was if there was a stepparent in place to take the father’s role. Her lawyer had voiced his opinion that it was an antiquated rule—in this day and age, plenty of single parents competently cared for their children—but it was the way of the world, at least in their corner of it. So if she signed those papers, unless she had a new daddy in place, she’d probably be wasting her ink.

The lawyer had asked if she was seeing anyone, and she’d said yes. There was no doubt Sterling would step in if she asked him to. But how could she? She didn’t want to bind him to her in any way that wasn’t strictly voluntary. What if he changed his mind down the road? She’d never trap him with a baby, whether or not it was his.

But she couldn’t let Pete file that restraining order—and she also couldn’t let him hurt her child in any way. If she took the easy route now and signed without making sure the agreement was ironclad, Pete might come back years down the road and try to get custody. Though she’d never wanted this outcome, he’d made his bed. She’d rather her daughter have no contact with an inconsistent father who didn’t love her than for him to drift in and out of her life on his whim.

That meant she had some big decisions to make. Tomorrow.

Tonight, she had to face the really loud music that wouldn’t stop blaring in her head. Maybe afterward, depending on how it went, she’d finally gather the rest of her nerve and fess up to Sterling about her alter ego. It was damned exhausting always trying to hide her back. Even more exhausting fearing what his response to her deception would be.

However he reacted, she deserved it. Part of being an adult was facing up to the consequences of her actions. She was doing that, one bad choice at a time.

Sterling leaned close. “Are you okay? You’re awfully quiet.”

“I’m fine. Just tired.”

“I wonder why that is. Someone kept you up all night.” He slipped his hand under the table and cupped her belly.

Flushing, she glanced around the table, pleased to see the others were occupied with teasing each other and not paying attention to them. The tender way he touched her stomach always set her motor humming. And when he slipped his finger under the band of her unbuttoned jeans—between her dessert of key lime pie and the baby, she’d needed some room to breathe—to stroke her bare skin, she couldn’t stop a shiver. “Yes, and you don’t even have pregnancy hormones you can blame.”

“No, but you’re constantly tempting me with your incredibly sexy body.” He brushed his lips over her shoulder.

She took a sip of her lemonade and shot him a sidelong look. “You really think I’m sexy?” she asked quietly. “Even like this.”

She hated asking. Hated that she needed that validation. But insecurity seemed to be her middle name lately, much as she couldn’t stand it.

“Oh yes.” His mouth closed over her earlobe. “I’d fuck you right here if you’d let me.” She shot up straight and he laughed, low and rough against her ear. “Did I surprise you?”

“Um. A little.” She swallowed and wiped her finger around the rim of her glass. “So how long do we have to hang out here?” she questioned, obviously more loudly than she’d intended since Summer wiggled her brows in Ang’s direction.

“Aw, man, the lusty lovebirds wanna go flap their wings.” Summer tipped her head against Chase’s. “I miss those days.”

Cass snorted. “Hard to miss them when you’re still having them.”

“No one likes a bragger.”

Chase tugged Summer onto his lap, making her squeal. “You’re not fooling anyone with your woe is me routine, babe.” He rubbed her neck. “Especially with this cute little hickey right here…”

“Hickey, my ass. You practically sucked out a vein.” She thumped his chest. “Kinky bastard.”

“I’m so glad that Cass and I have risen above such sophomoric activities.” Jax feigned a sigh and grabbed a chocolate chip off of Cass’s plate.

“Ha. You just focus your suction farther down, Mr. Licker,” Summer tossed back.

Ang nudged Sterling with her leg. “Sometime you’re really going to have to fill me on the backstory with this bunch.”

Sterling laughed and slung his arm around her shoulders. “Trust me, you’re better off not knowing.”

“I wish I didn’t,” Chase muttered. “That licking story is going to follow me to the grave.”

“Be glad that Cass and Jax are going wedding shopping in the city this afternoon. Or else I’d keep tormenting them for all of our benefits for the rest of the day, lover o’ mine.” Summer laughed.

The waiter appeared at their table. “Anyone need anything else? A few coffees, perhaps?”

Ang barely hid her grin as Sterling rubbed his leg against hers. “Check, please.” And hurry.

All the way home, she couldn’t stop staring at him. Even his profile revved her up. That sharp jaw, his aristocratic nose, the full lips. His lashes were to die for.

“I feel you watching me. You’re making it hard for me to concentrate on the road.”

“I hope so. The quicker you’re hard, the quicker you’ll have me bent over something sturdy.” As soon as the words were out, she regretted them. That would be okay as long as she wasn’t naked. Damn that back tattoo. At least it was small and easy to hide.

Damn her stupid lie.

He made a strangled sound in his throat. “Actually, how do you feel about the wall?”

“I thought you didn’t do walls.”

“You’ll be surprised what I’m willing to do now.” His meaning hung heavy in the air, tightening her nipples until she was tempted to cup her breasts to try to relieve the ache.

“So how do you feel about car hoods?”

“That includes sharing the view of your magnificent body with anyone who wanders by.” He cast her a heavy-lidded look. “Not happening.”

She couldn’t help smiling. “You’re sure you don’t need your eyes checked?”

“Talk like that must mean you want to get spanked.” When she didn’t say anything, he added softly, “I remember how you reacted the first time I mentioned spanking that day at the bingo hall.”

So did she. She shifted, pressing her thighs together at the fresh rush of moisture. “I know that’s not your thing.”

“My thing is turning out to encompass a wider spectrum than I ever guessed.” He reached over to squeeze her knee. “Thank you for that.”

“You’re welcome.” She linked her fingers with his. “But just so you know…I’m still willing to encompass wider spectrums myself. If you want to.” She dragged her nails over his palm. “I’m used to wide with you. And thick. And hard…”

“Sometimes I wonder what I did without you in my life.”

His voice was so somber that she felt compelled to make a joke. “Enjoy all your free time that wasn’t filled with making pregnancy-related flowcharts?”

But he didn’t laugh. “I dated a number of women. Some of them fairly seriously. After an appropriate length of time, we had sex, and everything was cordial and lovely.”

“That sounds horrible.”

He finally cracked a smile. “It was. I had no clue what I’d been missing. Until you.” He shook his head. “Jax always said I was a sad case.”

“I guarantee you have a bigger penis than he does. Take comfort in that.”

“Oh, I do.” He grinned. “Hourly.”

The light, easy mood between them lasted until they walked through the front door. Then the atmosphere changed, the air seeming to crackle with an electric charge.

“We have three hours before we have to be to your parents’ house.” He tossed his keys on the foyer table and pinned her with his sizzling gaze. “I want you naked for all of them.”

“O-okay.” Great, Stuttering Girl had returned. She’d missed her so. Not.

His cell buzzed and he took it out of his pocket, scanning the readout. After a moment, he spared her a glance. “Go upstairs and wait for me on the bed.”

Some yearning, soft part of her wanted to instantly obey. Another, more insistent part couldn’t easily give up the reins. Her curiosity won. “Aren’t you coming?”

His jaw tensed. “Angelina. Go.”

She went. On the way, she scattered her clothes, leaving him an erotic trail of bread crumbs. She hesitated when she took off her shirt. She sensed something dark and dangerous brewing inside him, and anything could happen.

Naked, she padded into the guest room to gather her secret weapon. Brandy had selected another set of lingerie for her, a gauzy white robe and peignoir set with strategically placed pink rosettes. Rather than wearing the gown, she opted for her tiny white panties and the robe. She tied the little tie between her breasts before fluffing her hair, ramping up her eye makeup and slicking on red lipstick. She normally didn’t wear a ton of makeup, but for some reason she wanted to show him a different side of her today. She wasn’t just the cute, good-time girl he’d always known. There was a woman underneath.

That woman stared back at her from the mirror in the guest bathroom, her gray eyes smoky, her mouth full and wet. Her gaze traveled to where her full breasts strained against the robe, and then to her round belly. Desire stirred low in her body, heavy and insistent. If she tucked her fingers into her panties right now, she knew she’d find herself already soaked.

A smile curved her mouth. She’d leave that present for him.

She headed down the hall to the master bedroom and knelt on the bed, waiting. Within a moment, Sterling stepped over the threshold, jacket already undone. He’d started loosening his tie, though he stopped when he got a glimpse of her. Her skin heated, awareness sweeping through her and leaving her lightheaded. She’d never wanted a man so much before. No matter how many times she had him, it wasn’t enough.

His jaw locked. “I said I wanted you naked.”

Something about his tone was off. “Close enough,” she said airily, gesturing at herself. “More fun for you to undress me.”

“Take the panties off and get on your hands and knees.” He whipped off his tie and wrapped it around his hand, stalking toward the bed.

Her throat clutched. “Who called you?”

“Angelina.”

With shaking hands, she shoved down the panties, trying not to shiver from both excitement and nerves. What did he have in mind? If he made her take off her thin robe, the jig would be up.

Maybe that was what this was about. He’d get her on all fours, shove up her robe and expose her for the fraud she was.

The fraud who was shaking for him even when she thought him capable of anything.

All right, not anything. Sterling would never harm her for any reason. But the Sterling in this room was riding the edge of something unpredictable, and she wasn’t sure she’d come out unscathed.

If she even wanted to.

She bit her lip as she dropped her underwear on the floor and got into position. She fisted the tidy sheets—housekeeper or no housekeeper, Sterling never left home without making the bed—and inhaled deeply, trying to relax. Whatever happened would be incredible.

He went to the nightstand and took out her tube of lube and a small, rubbery object. Butt plug. Okay then. Her limits were about to be blown, as requested. She rolled her shoulders and widened her stance, the movement enough to cause a draft of air over the wet, aching cleft between her legs.

Silently, he came up behind her and pushed the robe aside, baring her ass. His big hands molded her flesh, squeezing relentlessly. His thumbs met over the hole he’d only occasionally fingered thus far, and her heartbeat accelerated, making her pant. Then he grabbed a couple of pillows, sliding them beneath her midsection, and it took every bit of her self-control not to moan. He uncapped the lube, the sound jolting her, and trailed some over her ass, pressing it inward with a gentle thrust of his finger. “Why aren’t you naked, Angelina?”

She fought a shudder. The only time he called her Angelina was when he slipped into that dominant role he adopted surprisingly well. His tone and touch firmed, mirroring his subtle command, and everything inside her responded to it. The words were right there. The truth. All she had to do was admit what she’d done. This wasn’t the timing she would’ve chosen, but waiting any longer would be worse.

Shame burned her cheeks and convulsed her throat. She had to say it, even if he knew. Whether or not this had been some elaborate ruse to get her to admit the truth, she owed him that and so much more.

She rolled over and faced him, lifting her eyes to his. “I’m GothGeek.”

No response. Just his audible breathing as he studied the way she was sprawled out in front of him.

“I never meant to do it, I swear. All I wanted to do was to get closer to you after that day in the guest bedroom, after you walked away from me. I came in here to speak to you, to—”

“To ream me out for leaving you unfulfilled?”

How could there be amusement in his voice? She didn’t deserve it, not after what she’d done. She shut her eyes. “Maybe I had good reason to be mad at first, but there’s no explanation for how I reacted to seeing DorkyDuck’s name on your screen. I set up my Sole Mate screen name that night.”

“You were jealous?”

“So jealous.” A couple of tears squeezed out before she sucked in a breath and opened her eyes. No more coward’s way out for her. “You were flirty with her right after being with me, and then you went in the shower, and I thought…God.”

“You thought that was about her, not you.” He slipped his hand in her hair and tipped back her head. “You were so wrong, baby. Everything has always been about you. Every choice I’ve made, good or bad, was to get closer to you so I could keep you safe.” He made a sound in his throat. “So I could keep you mine.”

“I want that.” She tried not to shudder as his grip tightened, giving her no choice other than to meet his gaze. “I wanted to get close to you. I never expected any of this, but when I got that first taste, I think it made me mental. As much as I ached to tell you, I was so frightened you’d hate me.” The memory of the first night she’d spent in his house and what he’d said about why he preferred older women pounded in her skull. “You must think I’m no better than those game-playing young chippies you hate.”

“I never said I hated them. And if you think you fit into any predictable category, you’re so wrong.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “So sorry. The idea of losing you scared me more than anything ever has, because deep down, I didn’t think I deserved—”

He released her. “Turn over. On your knees, Angelina.”

His gravelly tone and usage of her full name goaded her into responding. When she faced away from him again, he didn’t slide his finger inside of her. Instead he scooped her up, tight to his chest, and pressed his mouth to the side of her neck, his breathing unsteady. “You deserve everything. Do you understand me?” Before she answered, his hand cupped her belly. “You and this child are worth the world. Any man would be lucky to have you in his life. Are you perfect? No. But who the hell wants that?”

She let out a broken laugh. “Don’t you?”

“Absolutely not. I want wild and messy and impetuous and everything that comes with it.” His lips branded her flesh. “You did something impulsive, but you never intended to hurt me.”

“No. I couldn’t,” she said fiercely. “I wouldn’t.”

“I know, Thumbelina.” He kissed her neck again, softly. “I know.”

Oh God, her nickname. She’d never been more grateful to hear it. “As time went on, I half wondered if you’d figured out I was GothGeek. You acted so different with her after we’d been…intimate. I thought maybe you were stringing me along until I came clean. Otherwise I would’ve been jealous of her relationship with you too.” She laughed weakly. When he didn’t speak, she rushed ahead. She’d cross that bridge with him another time. “Can you ever forgive me? I promise I’ll spend the rest of—” She screwed up her eyes. No. Not yet. It’s too soon. “I’ll do everything I can to earn your trust again, I swear.”

“Already done,” he grated out. “But now I need to know if you can forgive me.”

Her skin chilled. “Sterling?”

“The first night we were together in this room, I saw your tattoo. You were right to be suspicious that I’d made the connection.”

An odd sort of relief surged through her. He’d never intended to cheat on her with GothGeek after all. “So you did know all along.”

“Not all along, but pretty close. I should have confronted you. I’m sorry I didn’t. The longer I waited for you to tell me, the harder it became for me to tell you I knew.”

“So instead of demanding my honesty, you sent me bound prick pix. I thought that was bizarro for you.” She elbowed him in the gut. “You should be ashamed. I had no choice but to save the photo and try to resist my urges to lick the screen.”

His chuckle helped smooth out the jitters in her stomach. “I expected a lot more from you than an elbow to the midsection.”

“I have no room to talk.” She swallowed hard. “Absolutely none.”

“With me, you always do. We both made mistakes.” He brushed a kiss over her temple.

She shivered. “Mine were so much worse.”

“I won’t pretend that I wasn’t bothered by—” He blew out a breath. “All right, way more than bothered. But I believe you. Believe in you. We’ve wasted so much time, and I refuse to spend even another minute with that between us when I know, deep down, that you never intended to cause me pain. That’s not my Ang.”

She went limp in his arms, his reassurance so welcome that she could no longer hold herself upright. And why should she? He was ready for her, and she was ready too. For this. For them. She yearned to share this with him, like everything else they’d experienced together.

Saying nothing, she extricated herself from his arms and lowered herself to the pillow, lifting her ass invitingly in the air. Perhaps the conversation had cooled his ardor, but hers only burned more intensely. Her anticipation hummed in her veins, mixed with the fear he wouldn’t want to do this anymore.

And then he squeezed her bottom, massaging it gently, and she hissed out a breath. Thank God.

After a few moments of soft, slow caresses, his finger breached her again. This time she didn’t even startle from the sensation. Already her body craved him there. That finger soon became two, slickened in more lube, and she couldn’t do anything other than arch into his strokes.

He shoved the robe higher, revealing her shoulder blades, and a gasp escaped her that she couldn’t hold back. When his lips brushed over her tattoo, she bowed her head, so relieved that she sagged into the pillows. His free hand snuck beneath her to grasp her needy breast, and she jerked upward at the zing that shot from her nipple to her clit.

“Shoulders down,” he murmured, and while the command still lurked in his voice, a surprising tenderness did too. He’d seen her tattoo—he knew—and he wasn’t being rough, wasn’t chastising her for being a liar or demanding further explanations. His fingers continued to slide in and out, working her hole, increasing the heat coiling inside her way down low. “Push your ass against my hand.”

She did as he asked, burying her face in the pillow, smothering her moan at the intrusion of another finger. Those three digits filled her up so completely she couldn’t imagine taking his cock. But oh, she wanted it. The discomfort was shifting to something else, adding to the moisture between her thighs. She shifted restlessly, eager for more, and he obliged, twisting her nipple the way she liked. First one, then the other, before slipping his palm over her belly. He held her there, so tenderly she was afraid to breathe, while he sped up his strokes and bent close to nip the back of her neck. She moaned, already desperately close.

“When I put my fingers inside your pussy, you’re going to come for me.”

Though it didn’t feel like a question, she had an answer. “God, yes. Only for you.”

But he didn’t do as he’d said, not right away. Instead he urged her arms above her head and looped something cool and soft over her wrists. The fabric tightening pulled another involuntary moan from her throat.

“Okay?”

She nodded.

“Give me the words, Angelina. I don’t think we need safe words, at least not yet, but you have to promise to always verbalize your feelings.”

Not yet. She was so stuck on two words she almost missed his mention of safe words. “My wrists are fine. You know about safe words?”

His curved lips brushed over her shoulder blade again. “You should know I always do my research.”

“I do.”

“Which is how I know exactly where to touch you to make you come once I slip my fingers inside you.” He waited a beat. “Though if I miss, don’t hesitate to steer me right.”

She couldn’t help laughing. “Damn, Vance, I l—” Shocked, she broke off. “I mean, I—” His fingers flexed inside her and she whimpered. “I’m really close.” That was so much safer to say than what hovered on her tongue.

Once she said those three little words, there was no going back. Not for her and not for him. She couldn’t do it until she was sure she could believe that what they had was more than the heat of the moment and long-term friendship.

Until he proved to her irrefutably that he wouldn’t walk away.

His only response was to press even deeper inside her while he slid his other hand between her thighs. He caressed her clit, murmuring softly as she rocked, trying to capture his hand where she needed it. Too soon he was on the move, edging lower, spreading her wetness, slicking it over her entrance. As gentle as he was with her ass, he was the exact opposite between her legs, thrusting two fingers so deep that stars exploded behind her closed eyes.

But he was right. Three strong plunges and she started to quiver with deep, powerful spasms, aided by both his rapid motions in her ass and his focused pressure on her G-spot. She opened her mouth to cry out, to scream, but no sound emerged. She thrashed beneath him, trapped in a swirling vortex of pleasure that had no end.

When she slumped into the pillows, he replaced the fingers in her ass with the plug and flicked it on.

“Oh my God.” Her fingers scrabbled over the sheets. That she couldn’t escape from that insistent vibration between her cheeks amped up her arousal. She ground into the palm still cupping her mound, still fingering her pussy, and turned her head to bite her own forearm when she couldn’t reach anything else.

The next orgasm slammed into her by surprise, sending her lunging upward. This time she did scream, helplessly, the tension snapping inside her like a rubber band against flesh. Still, he didn’t stop. He sucked on the back of her neck, teeth grazing, exploiting one of her weakest spots. And his fingers drove into her repeatedly, making the most erotic wet sounds while that low buzzing in her ass turned her into a quaking, babbling mess.

By the time he replaced the toy with his cock, she was so ready for him she couldn’t do anything but thrust her hips, hoping like hell he got the message. From the way his palm connected with her left cheek, sending heat sizzling to her core, he understood what she needed. Slowly, inexorably, he gave it to her, inching deep into that place she’d never allowed anyone before. As she stretched to take in his impossibly thick length—God, he felt bigger than ever—she had only one thought.

Brandy, if you’re not right about this, I’m going to kill you.

Sterling slid farther inside her clenching passage, careful not to rush. He ground his teeth together and dug his fingers into her hips, trying to maintain his unhurried pace. He’d never been fisted this way before. God, one glance at her with her arms stretched far above her head, spine bowed, ass thrust high, and he was on the verge of exploding.

Her lotus tattoo was in full view and that also amplified his urgency. Finally the truth was out between them. Considering how many good memories he had of Ang, one bad decision that had spiraled out of control couldn’t alter his lifelong perception of her.

The woman he was making love to—the woman he loved—deserved his forgiveness. Now they could begin to move past all of the lies.

He blew out a breath and threw back his head, steadying his hold. She was whimpering again and rolling her hips into each of his strokes. He moved faster, deeper, powering into her again and again while she turned her face to the side and let out a keening cry. He stopped, heart rampaging in his chest, fear nearly swallowing him whole.

“Ang?”

In lieu of a reply, she jerked her ass, taking more of his straining length. Damn, the sight of her flesh separating to envelop his cock could make him come all by itself. But he didn’t move. “Are you okay? Tell me or I’m pulling out right now.”

“Hell no, you’re not,” she gasped. “Finish what you fucking started, Vance.”

He couldn’t stop his smile from turning into a laugh. A pained one, since she was still squeezing him so tightly that his balls felt like hot rocks between his legs. They slapped her ass with his renewed thrusts, and that only increased the incredible friction.

Somehow he gathered enough wits to reach around for her clit, and he rolled it between his fingers, pinching the swollen bud. She was drenching his palm, and he loved the sluicing sounds her body made when he gave in to the urge to slip his fingers back into her pussy. He pressed upward, searching out the elusive spot, rubbing hard until she started to quake around him, her gasps slicing through the air like erotic whips.

“Come with me,” he urged, but she already was, pulsing around his fingers, around his erection, wrapping him in her heat and her sexy raspberry fragrance and the unforgettable way she clutched him. Through it all, she chanted his name in a low, loving voice as if she craved the taste of him on her lips. All combined, they elevated a physical act into something damn near celestial.

Her moans triggered his own climax, and he let go with a roar of completion that seared his chest. He drained himself inside her, watching as his release squeezed out around his flesh from within that private place she’d never shared with another.

She was his, and not because of this. Sex was easy. Amazing, incredible, but easy. The overwhelming tenderness that flooded him when he slid out and drew her into his arms—that was what mattered. Her heart was beating so fast. As fast as his own. And when he brushed his mouth over her sweaty cheek, she fumbled to turn her head to meet his kiss.

“I love you,” she breathed. Her clear gray eyes locked with his. “And it’s not because Brandy was telling the truth and my mind is freaking blown from the best fucking I’ve ever had.”

Wrong time to preen. Still, he couldn’t help grinning. “Really? Not bad for a maiden voyage.”

“I’m no maiden.”

“I meant me. That.” He gestured toward her bottom as she stuck out her tongue at him. “Yes, inappropriate timing. Sorry.”

“Moving on.”

“Please do.”

“You’re the best man I’ve ever known and I feel lucky to even know you, never mind have you in my life.” She gave him a shy smile that cut to the very core of him and left him bleeding in the best way. “If all of this ends tomorrow, I’m still so grateful for you.” She inhaled shakily. “And so is my baby.”

Our baby, he corrected in his head.

He tightened his hold on her, enfolding her in his arms despite her squeak, most likely from lack of air. “This isn’t ending,” he said gruffly, covering her mouth with his. “Ever.”

She made some noise against his lips, then slipped her tongue over his, and he forgot about everything except kissing the woman he loved.

The woman who, against all odds, somehow loved him right back.

“Wait here,” he murmured, chuckling when he released her and she puddled in a boneless heap to the mattress.

He understood the feeling. His hands fumbled as he pulled up his boxers and his pants and he had trouble getting his rubbery legs to work.

Once in the bathroom, he faced himself in the mirror as he washed his hands. An expression of elation had infiltrated his still-sleepy, satisfied eyes. Maybe they could really do this. She’d been honest with him, even if under duress, and as soon as he did the same, they’d face the next step together.

First, he had to take care of his woman.

He dampened a washcloth with warm water and returned to find her in the same position. She hadn’t moved.

“Hey, baby.” After untying her wrists, he rubbed the washcloth over her bottom. “Gotta clean you up.”

“No.” She whimpered at his probing caresses, pushing upward. “I wanna be dirty with you.”

He grinned. “We’ll have plenty of opportunities.” That didn’t mean he could resist leaning down to nip one of the perfect swells of her ass.

A sharp bang jerked him back. He turned toward the doorway, trying to place the sound. “What was that?”

“I don’t know.” She sounded as breathless as he was.

Another series of bangs, louder this time. He snatched his shirt off the floor. “Stay here,” he said over his shoulder, already heading to the door.

She pushed herself up onto her knees. “Wait. I’ll come with you.”

“No. Stay here.” He glanced back. “I’m serious, Angelina.”

She nodded, wiggling until her robe fell back into place over her hips. “Okay.”

He shut the bedroom door behind him and took the stairs two at a time. He kicked aside Ang’s blouse, focused solely on confronting the overeager visitor. If that visitor was Pete, he would be ready. His woman and child were in this house, and he’d take care of those he loved, whatever it took.

The banging from the front porch hadn’t stopped, and by now he could make out a brawny figure through the window in the front door. He grabbed his cell from his pocket and the baseball bat he kept in the umbrella stand in case of emergencies. God knows he didn’t play ball.

“Who’s there?” he shouted, his thumb hovering over the speed dial for 911.

“It’s Marcus, you bastard.”

Sterling’s hand went cold. The crazy banging on the door made sense all of a sudden.

He yanked on the doorknob and threw open the door. Even prepared to face Marcus’s wrath, the staggering fury on the other man’s face took him by surprise.

“I can explain—”

That was as far as he got before a fist came flying at his face.