by Cate Beauman
“I already have everything I want.”
A tear escaped, falling to her pillow as her eyes grew soft all over again. “Aw.”
He tossed her a wink, certain he couldn’t adore her more. “Let’s talk to the nanny. We both really liked her, Gwen. She can help us out a couple of days a week or whenever you want to take on a project. It doesn’t have to be any different from what Kay’s already doing.”
She sighed again as worry furrowed her brow. “I don’t know.”
“It seems like a great compromise. If you hate it, we’ll pull the plug. Or maybe we’ll love having a little extra help. Perhaps Nate and Callie will want to split time with her. I know Nate’s planning to watch Ava when Callie has her Arts and Eats during the quiet months, but that won’t be an option when the high season kicks into gear again, especially as we continue to bring more residents to the island. Perhaps Molly and Brad might want to use her services down the road, too.”
She exhaled another long breath. “Okay. I guess we can talk to her. But we would only need her for a couple of hours a week or when I have a staging—while our babies are little. And I’ll be dropping off and picking up our kids from school. I know you and Cadence didn’t mind, but that’ll be your job or mine when the time comes.”
He fought back a grin as he nodded, recognizing the possessive mama bear light in her eyes as she jutted out her chin at him in the way she sometimes did. “That sounds fair.”
She blinked her long lashes at him. “Yes, it does. It’s entirely reasonable.”
He lost his battle, smiling at her. God, did he love this woman, even when she got snooty and hardheaded. “It’s always going to be whatever you want—whatever makes you the most comfortable when it comes to our kids.”
“Thank you.”
“We’ll get another call set up before someone else hires her. Callie and Nate might like to sit in.”
“We can talk to them.”
“You can put away your claws, Gwen.”
She frowned before it dissolved into a grin. “My claws aren’t out.”
He pursed his lips, lifting his hand to demonstrate an inch with his fingers. “A little.”
She chuckled. “I’m sorry, especially when I do like Hannah. I love that she has over twenty years of experience and glowing references. But I want to raise our kids—to give them a normal, happy childhood. You and me.”
“We’re going to raise our kids. We’re going to give them happy and normal.”
She looked down at Kaitlyn, stroking her finger over the baby’s cheek. “She’s asleep.”
“Let me take her.” He carefully lifted their little girl, loving it when she cuddled in against him in her soft pajamas. “I’ll put her to bed.”
Gwen sat up, adjusting her night bra, then her light cotton shorts as she stood. “Let’s both put her to bed.”
“All right.” He hooked his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as they walked to the next room, stopping by the crib in the dimly lit space. “Good night, Bug,” he whispered, breathing in baby shampoo as he pressed a kiss to her forehead, waiting for Gwen to do the same before he settled her on her pink polka-dot sheet.
Gwen smiled as Kaitlyn stretched, then turned on her side. “She’s such a sweetie. I love her so much.”
He nodded. “She’s beautiful—happy and perfect. I have no doubt that this next baby will be, too.” He looked from Kaitlyn to Gwen, wrapping her up in a hug. “I can’t believe we have a bean and a bug. Two children. Our children.”
Grinning, she eased back enough to hold his gaze. “Do you hope for a girl or a boy?”
He shrugged. “I’ll take whatever we’re given, but I like the idea of the whole dad of girls thing. I figure that with my size and evil eye, I should be able to scare off any boys sniffing around them until they’re at least thirty.”
She laughed, locking her wrists around his neck. “Your evil eye is very intimidating. Although, my dad carried a gun and handcuffs, and the boys still came sniffing around Molly and me, so…”
He grinned as she did. “Then we’ll put up a gate around the property and get guard dogs. You did say you wanted a dog.”
She laughed again. “I love you, Cade.”
“I love you, too. So, so much.” He looked toward the picture of Gwen with her birth partners hanging on the wall, walking them closer, standing behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist to settle his hands against her stomach. “That’s going to be us in a few more months—welcoming our new little one. I can’t wait, Gwen.”
She rested her head against his chest, stroking her fingers along his forearms. “Giving birth to Kaitlyn at home was unexpected and magical. But for this baby, I think I want to try a water birth in Brad’s fancy new tub. You can sit in there with me as he or she is born. That will be magical, too.”
“Whatever you want. However you want.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll read books and watch videos. We’re going to do this together.”
She turned to face him. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”
He eased his forehead against hers. “I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
“I know you will.” She glanced toward Kaitlyn in her crib. “The house is quiet.”
He nodded, kissing her, recognizing clearly enough what it was that she was after. “It is.”
She stood on her tiptoes, cupping his cheeks, bringing his lips back to hers. “Are you going to take me to bed?”
He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Maybe we should let you get some rest.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want you to start treating me differently—like I’m delicate or sick. Treat me like you did last night before we knew about the baby—like you think I’m sexy and you still want me.”
He held her gaze, realizing that there was something here—some sort of insecurity. “You are sexy. I do want you.”
She rubbed her palm over his boxers, teasing him until he was hard. “Then show me.”
He steamed out a long breath as she dipped her hand into his underwear, working him. “Damn, that always feels good.”
“Good.”
He let his thumbs slide over her nipples. “All of this is okay for the baby?”
She nodded, nipping his bottom lip between her teeth. “Brad said I should keep doing exactly what I’ve been doing. And we do this a lot.”
He smiled. “This is pretty new to me—the whole pregnancy sex thing.”
“It’s new to me, too.”
And then he understood. Liam hadn’t wanted her after she’d told him about Kaitlyn. He reached for her hands, lacing their fingers, determined to do everything differently than Gwen’s idiot ex. “You want me to show you what you do to me?”
She looked up from under her lashes, the hints of vulnerability unmistakable. “I do.”
He walked her backward toward the bedroom, stopping by their bed. “You’re gorgeous,” he whispered, pressing kisses along her jaw and neck before he pulled her bra over her head, kneading her glorious breasts. “From the first moment I saw you, I couldn’t stop staring.”
Smiling, she caressed her fingers down his pecs and abs, then sent his boxers to the floor. “You weren’t tough to look at, either.”
He grinned, then got back to work, teasing her nipples, circling sensitive skin with his tongue, listening to her breathing change as she moaned. “After our first business meeting, I was hooked. I found any excuse I could to be around you—to get in your way.” He feathered kisses down her slim waist, settling himself on his knees in front of her. “You sure as hell didn’t make it easy.”
She chuckled as goosebumps puckered her skin, and her fingers wandered into his hair.
“I had to have you,” he murmured as he pressed a tender kiss to her belly. “I needed to be with you.” He tugged off her shorts next, then her panties. “You’re smart and sassy and talented and sweet. You’ve made me a dad, Gwen. You’re carrying our child. There will never be anyt
hing sexier than that.”
She blinked as her eyes grew teary.
“Let me give you more. Let me show you how much I want you,” he whispered, sitting down, pulling her closer, kissing her sweet spot.
She snagged her lip with her teeth as she whimpered.
“I love that I get to taste you.” He settled her foot on his thigh, spreading her open, lapping her with his tongue, looking up, holding her gaze as he pleasured her. “You taste so good.”
“Cade,” she gasped, clutching at his ears as she started to tremble.
He continued, adding the occasional suckle, taking her up slowly until her breath caught and she cried out. Groaning, he yanked her closer while she pulsed and throbbed against him. “God, Gwen, I love making you come—all of your sexy sounds. I love that they’re just for me.”
Still breathless, she reached down for his hand. “Let’s lie down. Lie down with me, Cade.”
He stood, only to fall with her to the mattress, being careful with his weight as he covered her, staring into her eyes. “I love feeling your beautiful body beneath mine—all of your soft skin. I love the way it feels when I slide myself into you.”
She opened her legs wider. “Be with me.”
Eager to comply, he clenched his teeth, inching himself deep, afraid to be anything but gentle.
She moaned, tipping her head back. “Oh, that feels so good. You feel so good.”
He smoothed her hair back from her damp forehead, as thoroughly seduced by the flush on her cheeks and the passion burning in her eyes as he was their joining. “I love being with you like this. I love everything about you, Gwen. That’s never going to change.”
She smiled, tracing the pad of her finger along his lips. “I love everything about you, too. I’m so lucky to have you.”
He kissed her and began to move, lacing their fingers as Gwen eagerly met him thrust for thrust. It wasn’t long before her breathing changed—before she wrapped her legs around his waist.
“I want to come with you,” she whispered.
Mouths met again as he kept a lazy pace. Then he lifted his head, watching, waiting, letting himself go as she did, clutching her fingers as she clutched his, groaning as she called out.
He kissed her temples as they caught their breath, smiling before he rolled, settling her on top of him, cuddling her close.
Chapter 32
The band played Edwin McCain’s “I Could Not Ask For More” while Gwen rested her head against Cade’s chest, moving with him in a slow circle on the outdoor dance floor. Candlelight and pretty fairy lights glowed warmly in the enormous white tent, accentuating beautifully arranged table flowers, while the inn’s hilltop vantage point offered up spectacular views of the moonlight twinkling on the Atlantic.
She smiled as she looked toward Mom and Dad dancing and laughing—the proud mother and father of the bride, who’d given away their youngest daughter to the man of her dreams.
Everything about Molly and Brad’s day had been magic. From their romantic sunset ceremony surrounded by family and close friends to the delicious dinner where Nate and Gwen had shared heartfelt toasts with the new bride and groom in Annie and Cletus’ lovely dining room. But the showstopper had been the sweet song Brad had written for Molly, serenading her with his guitar as he promised his lifelong love and devotion, leaving everyone in tears.
Holding Cade tighter, Gwen sighed her contentment, savoring that all was right in her world.
“That was a deep breath,” Cade murmured close to her ear.
Looking up, she grinned into his gorgeous face, moving her arms from around his waist to lock her wrists at the back of his neck. He wore the remnants of the identical suit Nate and Brad donned. Long ago, he’d ditched his jacket and rolled up the sleeves on his white button-down—much like the best man and groom. “I was thinking about how wonderful today has been.”
He nodded his agreement as his hands wandered up and down the back of her dark-sage pleated chiffon wrap dress. “I was just making sure you weren’t settling in for a nap.”
She laughed, knowing he was teasing her about last night, when she’d fallen asleep midsentence on their drive home from the rehearsal dinner. When she awoke several hours later, she and Kaitlyn had been snuggled up next to him in their bed. “I’m hardly tired at all, thank you.”
“Good.” He winked, kissing her forehead. “Because the last few days have been a lot, and I’m not pregnant.”
The last two weeks had passed in a whirlwind of cardboard boxes and moving trucks, pre-wedding prep, then the chaos of welcoming wedding guests. Cade had even flown down to DC and New York’s JFK to discreetly pick up Brad’s cousins and Aunt Lily in everyone’s efforts to keep the big day out of the press.
“It’s been a little crazy, but it’s been so worth it.” Gwen smiled again. “Today has been so special. Everything Molly and Brad deserve.”
“Definitely.” He kissed her again, touching her tummy. “You and Bean are hanging in there?”
She nodded, loving that out of nowhere, her barely-there baby bump had become an adorable little bulge earlier in the week. The shock of her pregnancy had quickly worn off, leaving them both delighted and excited.
Cade had been endlessly attentive and sweet. This morning, he’d brought her tea and toast when she’d found herself sitting by the toilet, fighting back a bad case of nausea. “We’re happy as can be.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
She was thrilled with life in general as her gaze wandered to Callie sitting on Nate’s lap, both of them resting their hands on Callie’s belly as Nate said something, kissing his wife’s cheek while she smiled, nodding her reply. “You know, I think Ava’s going to be joining us very soon. She’s dropped so much in the last couple of days. My gut’s saying you’ll be watching Kaitlyn tomorrow or the day after because I’ll probably be busy.”
He grinned. “That sounds good to me. Kaitlyn and I will be on meal delivery and flower duty.”
She beamed. “I’m so excited for my brother. I’m so excited for them. They’re going to be amazing parents.”
Cade opened his mouth to respond just as the tinkling of silverware against champagne glasses started in the dining room. Soon, hoots and hollers erupted when Brad paused during his dance with his beautiful new wife. She was wearing her off-the-shoulder button-backed crepe dress as he dipped her for a deep kiss.
Gwen laughed before she struggled with her tears, staring at the happiness glowing in her sister’s eyes as Molly and Brad righted themselves, grinning and hugging. “Look at them. They’re perfect.”
Cade chuckled, sliding loose wisps of Gwen’s hair behind her ear. “Are you getting weepy again?”
She nodded, wiping at her eyes—another pregnancy trait that had come back with a vengeance. Lately, she cried all the time. “They get their happily ever after. And Molly mentioned that they’ve officially ditched the birth control.”
“Wow. Things are going to get busy around here.”
She nodded, thrilled with the idea. “They really are. We’re going to have our hands full with little Paxtons, Carters, and Sandersons running all over the island—all of the cousins growing up together.”
He brushed away her next tear. “Do we need to get you a tissue?”
She shook her head with a sniffle. “I think I’m good.”
He grinned as Kay walked over with Kaitlyn. “Hey, it’s our bug.”
Kay gave the baby a gentle bounce as she grew fussy. “I don’t think you’re going to get a chance to finish your dance. Someone’s looking for her parents.”
“Come see me.” Cade took Kaitlyn, kissing the top of her head as he resettled her favorite pink blanket around her. They’d long since changed their baby girl out of her pretty dress, putting her in soft pants and a cozy cardigan set as the temperature cooled.
Kay smiled at Kaitlyn. “I imagine she’s ready for night-nights. I bet a nice walk would put her right out.”
“Thank yo
u, Kay,” Gwen called as Kay began walking away.
“Anytime, honey.”
Cade gave Kaitlyn several bounces, rubbing her back as she started to cry. “I like Kay’s idea,” he said to Gwen. “How do you feel about a walk? We can give Bug a little quiet time.”
She nodded. “That sounds good. It’s starting to get late.”
Cade snagged Gwen’s wrap from the chair where she’d left it, handing it to her. “Are you up for a stroll down to the water?”
She settled the warm fabric around her shoulders, then took his hand as she leaned against him. “You know I am—my favorite place.”
“I’ve heard something about that.” He nuzzled Kaitlyn close as they started down the lighted path toward the inn’s private beach and dock. “I think someone’s had enough with today.”
“I can’t blame her.” Gwen pulled the cardigan’s adorable bear’s ear hood onto Kaitlyn’s head as the breeze picked up the closer they moved toward the beach access. “Weddings are a lot of work, especially when you’re irresistible and everyone wants to hold you, huh, Cute Stuff?”
Kaitlyn sent her a smile as the baby rested her cheek on Cade’s shoulder.
Gwen grinned back, touching her finger to her daughter’s nose. “You and I can snuggle up for a snack in just a bit. Then we’ll get you to bed.”
Kaitlyn lifted her head, reaching for her.
Gwen laughed, taking the baby, hugging her, loving everything about her. “Did I say the right words? Are you ready for a snuggle and a snack?”
Her smile vanished as they made it to the sand and Annie and Cletus’ dock. “Oh, Cade, look at this.” Pressing her hand to her heart, she stared at the breathtaking flower arrangements decorating the dock posts, and the dozens of candles glowing in various-sized lanterns. “It’s gorgeous.” Her wonder dimmed with a slight frown. “I didn’t realize this was happening. Molly never mentioned it.”
Cade shrugged, walking with her onto the first few planks. “I’m pretty sure Leah, your mom, and Kay said something about working a little magic down here.”
