by Addison Cole
She looked at Matt, and he wondered if she saw how much he adored her. Could she tell when she left the hotel each morning how proud he was of her for having the courage to take on such an enormous endeavor when she already had such a full life? She glanced at Hagen, sitting on the floor playing with his robot, and her expression warmed. The look of love that came over her when she looked at her brilliant boy was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. She met his gaze again, and he wondered if she realized that the way she was looking at him, like she was desperately in love, made his insides melt. Did she know he felt like the luckiest guy alive to have her and Hagen in his life?
He smiled and touched his toes to hers. “I guess I won’t tell you about the road trip Hagen and I are planning for his Christmas break from school.”
“Do I have to talk people into going into business with strangers?”
“No,” he answered. “But you might have to go on Space Mountain.”
Her eyes filled with disbelief—and just as quickly, with excitement.
“And to the Animal Kingdom!” Hagen added with a wide grin.
“Animal Kingdom I can do, but Space Mountain? Not happening. I’d get too nervous.” She mouthed, Disney World? to Matt, and he nodded. She shook her head, as if he were making promises he shouldn’t, but the smile on her face told him she wasn’t really upset.
“Remember how nervous you were when we went parasailing? And then you loved it. And in Boston, before your meeting? By the time you did the presentation in Connecticut, you said you only had minor butterflies. And this morning you were like a true New Yorker, full of guts and glory and ready to take on the world. There’s nothing you can’t do. You’re a force of nature.”
An incredibly enticing force of nature.
Mira’s eyes shimmered with the spark of positivity he adored. “I nailed it today, too. I have a really good feeling about this last meeting. Rhode Island was rough, and Connecticut was iffy, but this one? I’m ninety-nine percent sure I got him hook, line, and sinker. Still, I never, ever want to do something this crazy again.”
Hagen climbed onto her lap, and Matt sank down onto the sofa beside her.
“But it’s been so fun!” Hagen exclaimed. “We got to see two of the libraries on our list and we’re seeing the third today. Matt said I could ride the carousel and see the castle, and we got tickets to see the Lion King. I love the apple!”
Hagen had been an excellent traveler. He was interested in everything, slept well in every hotel, and seemed to enjoy the time he and Matt spent alone as much as Matt did.
“The Big Apple, buddy.” Matt pulled him onto his lap.
“That’s a lot for one day.” Mira patted Hagen’s hand. “Are you sure you’re not too tired?”
“I’m not tired,” Hagen insisted. “This morning we went shopping and I didn’t get tired, did I, Matt?”
“You sure didn’t,” he answered, hoping Hagen wasn’t going to tell her where they’d gone shopping and ruin his surprise. “Are you too tired, sunshine? You’ve had the extra stress of being on this morning. Do you want to stay here and rest while Hagen and I head out to find the best pizza in the city and hit the library? We can come get you before we go to Central Park to see the carousel and Belvedere Castle. I’d like to take you guys to Times Square, too, but if it’s too much we can skip it.”
“No!” Hagen complained. “I want to see the square.”
“I’m not about to miss a minute of the Big Apple with you or Hagen,” Mira insisted. “I want to see Hagen’s face when he finally sees the lions out front of the library, and hold your hand as we stroll through Times Square. I’m not tired. I’m just glad I don’t have to do any more presentations.”
“Good,” Matt said, ruffling Hagen’s hair. “We’d rather you were with us, too. Now are you ready for some really great news?”
“Always.”
“I spoke to my father this morning. He said he got a call from Ken yesterday afternoon. They set up a conference call for Monday afternoon, and he said you should plan on leading it.”
“What?” She bolted upright. “Are you kidding?”
“Nope. See, sunshine? You’re a miracle worker.”
“A miracle worker,” Hagen mimicked.
“When did my little boy turn into such a tease?” She tickled Hagen’s ribs, earning a stream of giggles. “That’s incredible. We might actually pull this off after all. Can you imagine?”
“There isn’t a man alive who can resist following your lead,” Matt said with more than a hint of heat. During their trip, they’d stayed in either two-bedroom suites or adjoining rooms, and after Hagen fell asleep they’d sneak into the other bedroom for some secret sexy time. They’d perfected the art of quiet lovemaking. As much as Matt wanted to get Mira alone and make love with reckless abandon, he wouldn’t trade the time the three of them had together for anything. He cherished every moment, and spending so much time with Hagen made him realize how much he wanted to be part of Mira and Hagen’s family.
She pressed her palm to the center of his chest and said, “I think that’s only you, Mr. Lacroux.”
Man, he loved her. If there weren’t a set of six-year-old eyes on them, he’d carry her into the bedroom and show her just how much.
“Good answer. He also said my family’s getting together for dinner at his place Saturday night. I know we have a long drive home tomorrow, but if you and Hagen are up to it, I’d really like you to come along.”
“Please?” Hagen begged.
She tapped the tip of his nose. “Of course we can. If Hagen gets tired, we just won’t stay too long.”
“I won’t get tired,” Hagen promised.
“Maybe Mommy will get too tired,” she teased. “Or maybe Matt will.”
Hagen laughed. “Matt never gets tired. He gets up before us to work and goes to bed after us.”
“Matt does have amazing stamina,” she said in a dreamy voice.
Only for you, sexy girl.
She pushed to her feet and lifted Hagen from Matt’s lap. Then she took Matt’s hand and pulled him up to his feet. Their bodies grazed, and his flooded with desire.
“Come on, boys,” she said. “Let’s go hunt down that pizza.”
“We’re guys, Mom.” Hagen grabbed his Princeton baseball hat and carried his robot into the bedroom. “I hope it’s better than the pizza in Connecticut. Blech.”
Matt swept an arm around her waist, pulling her against him, and whispered, “After a certain little guy goes to sleep, we’ll have our own private celebration, and I think you’ll remember I’m all man.”
“I’m going to need a lot of reminding.”
“I’ll remind you so long, and so thoroughly, you’ll never forget again. And then I’ll remind you again and again, for however long it takes, until every breath you take brings a memory of just how much of a man I am.”
IF MIRA THOUGHT Matt was protective of her and Hagen before, then he’d gone full-on Brink’s Security in New York City. He kept a secure hold on both of them, scanning the crowded streets as they navigated the city and made their way toward Central Park, as if at any moment a villain might swoop down and steal them. She’d come to accept that he was also watching out for the safety of others, and he always would be. That was Matt, and she loved his protective nature as much as she loved everything else about him. Over the last two weeks she’d thought about Cindy Feutra often. As much as she wished he’d track her down so he could apologize and hopefully find a modicum of peace from that horrible incident, she knew he was right about it drudging up horrible memories for Cindy. Even though she worried that not having closure would leave that layer of guilt on his shoulders forever, she fell even more deeply in love with him for putting Cindy’s well-being first. That incident was his burden to bear, but at least now he didn’t have to bear it alone.
“There it is!” Hagen dragged them toward the Maine Monument at the entrance to Central Park. “That’s a statue to remember the sailors
that died when the battleship Maine exploded in Cuba.”
Mira looked at Matt and sighed. “I owe you five dollars.”
When they’d visited the New York Public Library, which was every bit as elegant as the Boston Public Library and as interesting as the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library in Connecticut, Matt and Hagen had taken out a book all about Central Park, and they’d read about the history of the monuments, the castle, and the carousel. Mira had bet Matt five dollars that Hagen was too excited and exhausted to remember any of it, even though Hagen’s brain was usually like a vault. Her brilliant boy had proven her wrong.
“We’ll have to figure out some other means of repayment,” he said for her ears only. “I don’t accept cash.”
MATT’S HAND SLID south and he gave Mira’s butt a squeeze. She tipped a smile up toward him, her eyes bright and eager. He couldn’t resist leaning in for a quick kiss.
The park was bustling with families, businesspeople, joggers, and young lovers walking hand in hand. So much of life had been passing Matt by while he climbed his academic ladder toward an unattainable goal. It was wonderful to finally step back down to solid ground and take it all in. He thought he’d been fulfilled as a teacher, but spending time with Mira and Hagen, and reconnecting with his family, made him realize he hadn’t been anywhere near fulfilled. He’d been intellectually stimulated, but all the other parts of himself had fallen by the wayside.
The red and white striped brick carousel building came into view, and Hagen pulled Matt toward it. “Come on! Look!”
Like Mira, Matt wanted to experience everything with Hagen, to soak in the first moment of excitement when he saw something he’d read about, or sat on a carousel for the very first time. Sweet calliope music rang out from inside the building. He stepped up his pace, squeezing Mira’s hand a little tighter as they headed for the ticket booth.
After buying tickets, Matt draped an arm around Mira’s shoulder and they watched the carousel circle the platform. Colorful horses frozen in various states of excitement carried smiling riders around and around.
“This is beautiful,” Mira said with awe. “I’m so glad we made this trip.”
She was gazing at the carousel with a thoughtful expression, and as Matt drank in her perky nose, that sweet spray of freckles, and her deliciously kissable lips, his mind traveled to their future. He imagined coming next year, or the year after, with Hagen and his little brother or sister. He carried that thought with him throughout the afternoon, expecting it to rattle around and find an exit in his mind. But it didn’t rattle. It settled.
They rode the carousel five times, and by the time they headed for Belvedere Castle it was near closing time. Matt gave Hagen a shoulder ride, and they made it just in the nick of time to take a quick walk around the grounds of the majestic stone castle. They had dinner in Times Square, and much to Mira and Matt’s surprise, Hagen stayed awake through the entire production of the Lion King. But the minute they got in the cab, he closed his eyes.
“That was the best day he’s had in his entire life,” Mira whispered. “And it’s in my top four, too.”
“Top four?”
She glanced at the cabdriver, then whispered in Matt’s ear, “The day Hagen was born, the day you and I shared our first kiss, and the first time we were intimate.”
“Man, do I ever love you.” Matt tipped up her chin and kissed her.
“We love you too, Matt,” Hagen said in a sleepy voice.
Matt’s heart swelled, and he kissed the top of Hagen’s head. Catching a glimpse of Mira’s surprised expression, he realized Hagen hadn’t heard either of them declare their love for each other yet.
“Sorry,” he whispered to her.
She wrapped her hands around his arm and leaned in to him, adoration replacing the surprise in her eyes. “Don’t ever be sorry for loving us.”
And he knew he never would.
Chapter Twenty-Five
MATT LAID HAGEN on his bed in the hotel room he and Mira shared and kissed his forehead. “I love you, buddy. Sleep well.” He slid a hand around Mira’s waist and kissed her softly. “Do you want help getting him into his pajamas?”
I love you, buddy. Could Matt possibly know how much those four words meant to her? Mira had never thought too hard about how she would feel if a man loved her son, because she never fully believed she’d fall in love. It wasn’t part of her plan, her mommy bucket list. But Matt’s love for her and her son was so pure, so real and natural, it felt tangible, and hearing him tell Hagen he loved him was even more powerful than when he told her he loved her.
Tonight she was starting a new bucket list. A family bucket list, filled with all the things she’d like to do with Matt and the things she’d like to do with Matt and Hagen. Maybe she was getting ahead of herself, which she’d warned herself not to do just a few days ago, but their life was coming together, and Matt was staying at the Cape. She didn’t want to hold back any longer.
“Baby? Do you want help?” Matt asked again, pulling her from her thoughts.
“No,” she whispered. “He’s out like a light.”
Matt nodded. “I’m going to take a quick shower. See you afterward, or are you wiped out, too?”
“Oh no, Mr. Lacroux. You’re not getting off that easy.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, went up on her toes, and kissed him. “You have some reminding to do. Let me rinse off all this city dirt, too, and I’ll meet you in your room.” As he walked out the bedroom door, she whispered, “Wear your glasses!”
Mira showered and dressed in the sexy lingerie she’d bought from a cute boutique while they were in Rhode Island. The sheer and lacy pink nightie had a halter-style top and a skimpy, flowing body that just barely covered her goodies. She put on the silk kimono she’d splurged on as a special gift for her man and tried to ignore the butterflies fluttering in her stomach as she walked through the dark suite toward Matt’s bedroom. She pushed open the door, revealing a dimly lit room, candles on the nightstands, and Matt, wearing only black briefs and the glasses that made her want to page through him, sitting in the center of the bed. Music floated softly from the radio into her ears as she closed the door and went to him.
He reached for her, his stare bold and inviting. She crawled up the bed feeling sexy and naughty as they embarked on their secret tryst.
“How’s my beautiful, sexy girl?” he whispered.
Somehow she knew that even if she were wearing a sweatshirt, the look of love and devotion in his eyes would be just as strong. If he were covered head to toe in mud or wearing armor, her desire for him wouldn’t diminish. He was always so loving toward her, sensual and caring, pleasuring her first before letting go himself. Tonight she wanted to return the affection and let him know exactly how much she appreciated his sinful talents and generosity.
She ran her finger down the center of his chest, holding his gaze. “I’m filled to the brim with happiness.”
She leaned forward to press a kiss to his lips, and when he spoke, his voice whispered over her lips.
“Me too, sunshine.” He leaned in for another kiss, his scruff scraping enticingly against her cheek. “I kind of hate going back to the real world and sharing you with everyone else.”
“Do you, now?” She kissed his neck.
He made a low sound of appreciation, spurring her on. She nipped at the ridge of his jaw. “Which part of me do you hate sharing the most?” she asked daringly, her hands playing over his pecs, feeling them jump beneath her touch.
“All of you. Your sassy, tenacious personality, your charm and intelligence.”
He slid one hand to the nape of her neck, claiming her in a demanding kiss.
“Your gorgeous face and stunning body.” He tangled his hand in her hair, tugging her head back, and sealed his mouth over her neck, sucking and kissing and chipping away at her resolve to be his temptress.
She closed her eyes and grabbed hold of his shoulders, giving in to his seduction. He dragged his tongue
up the column of her neck and took her earlobe between his teeth. Spikes of pain and pleasure raced to her core. She dug her fingers into his hard flesh and heard herself moan.
“My girl likes that. We’re going to have to keep quiet, remember.”
Her brain could hardly hold on to that warning as he crashed his mouth to hers in another penetrating kiss. His tongue stroked hard and eager over hers, around her mouth, over her teeth, until she abandoned all control, relaxing her jaw for him to take everything he wanted. And take he did, loving her cheeks, her jaw, her neck, and when he tugged her head further back, she didn’t resist. His adept fingers untied the top of her nightie, and it puddled around her middle.
“Off, baby.” When he released her hair to lift her nightie over her head, the air left her lungs. “How did I get so lucky to be the man you picked?”
Her eyes fluttered open and he kissed them closed. “Close your eyes. Let me love you.”
So different from his usual command of her eyes open, it intrigued her, but she wanted desperately to give him a memorable night, and she forced her eyes open again. “But I wanted to treat you tonight.”
He reached for his glasses next, and she stuck her lower lip out in a pout. He chuckled and left them on.
“Look who’s got the seduce-the-professor fantasy now.” His eyes narrowed, their heat consuming her.
Feeling empowered by his desire, she said, “I just want you to see me clearly, so you never forget this night.”
His smile turned sinful as he locked his hands behind his head, giving her complete control. Oh goodness, where to start? Her eyes swept over him.
She kissed him punishingly slow, earning a heady groan.
“Ah, my man likes that,” she teased. “Mine?” she whispered tentatively as she ran her finger over his lips. She wanted to roar it out to the world from the rooftops.
“All yours, baby.”
