by Kari Lemor
“I can’t wait until we have our own. I know it’s lots of hard work, but they’re worth it, aren’t they?”
“Absolutely worth it.”
Elle fussed with her outfit and gave her hair another brush before scooping her daughter in her arms and heading downstairs with Gina. Doubtful she’d be holding her for long. Dawn was the star of the day and would be passed around for all to admire.
Sure enough, Molly stood at the foot of the stairs and held out her arms. “Would you like me to take her so you can get something to eat?”
“Thank you so much, Mom.” Elle still felt strange calling her mother-in-law that but noticed both Gina and Tessa did, so figured she would, too. It’s not like hers was anywhere to be seen. She handed Dawn over. A few of the crabbies rested on a platter, and Elle made a beeline to them and snagged two. She wasn’t even a little bit sorry. Everyone else had been given plenty of time to take some while she was feeding the baby.
“I’ll have to give you the recipe for those, Ellie. You seem to like them so much.” Molly snuggled the baby on her shoulder and swayed in that figure eight that every mother instinctively knew.
“I’d love it, though I probably won’t make them as good as you. It might be a while before I find time for any fancy cooking.”
Molly pressed her nose to the baby’s head. “Call me any time you need a hand with this precious darling. Or just need a break or a rest. You know I’m happy to stop in.”
Elle gave Molly a hug and kissed her cheek. “If you don’t mind keeping an eye on her, I suppose I should mingle and thank people for coming.”
“Of course, sweetie. I’ve got her. At least until someone else comes along to swoop her up.”
Elle’s flat sandals clicked down the wooden floors of the hall, then she entered the large middle living room. Tessa, Darcy, and Alandra hovered near the window, watching their children out in the yard with the dogs. It was a dog family reunion. TJ and Sara had brought mama Freckles. Her six pups were almost two years old and had all stayed in the family. Elle couldn’t even imagine trying to deal with a dog on top of having a baby.
Aunt Sharon stood next to Anna in an animated discussion about something, and Uncle Doug was near the door chatting with Pete and Kris. Luke was with Brad, who had his arm around Nicole. Jenny stood in the same circle, listening in on the conversation.
Elle glanced down at her shapeless top, cute as it was, and the loose cotton pants that had been the only thing she fit into. It wasn’t a bad outfit, but when she compared it to her cousin, Jenny, who wore a clingy, sleeveless dress that barely covered her shapely ass, Elle felt drab and gross. She’d never wear something so skimpy, even before she had a child, but it still would be nice if she had the shape to do it.
Stepping over to where Tessa, Alandra, and Darcy were, she was immediately welcomed into their conversation. The women who had married into the Storm family were equally as lovely as all the Storms. She wished she could say the same about her family.
Okay, maybe she was simply envious of Jenny’s vibrant personality in her sexy dress. Or the fact she kept pressing in close to Luke and rubbing her boob against his arm. Luke glanced down at her every now and then and smiled. Those stupid sexy dimples.
“Kind of makes you want to go rip her hair out, huh?” Darcy said near her ear.
Elle startled and heat rushed to her face. “Oh, um, no. She’s my cousin.”
“Please,” Alandra snorted. “My sister tried that with Greg in the pool last summer. Even told him I was too fat and needed to lose some weight.”
“What in the world?” Elle’s gaze roamed over Alandra’s figure. “You’re gorgeous.”
Alandra smirked. “That’s what Greg told her. And that men needed something sweet to hold onto.”
“Go, Greg,” Darcy muttered, as seven-month-old Faith wiggled in her arms. “If that was my man, I might think about a smackdown.”
Elle laughed. “Oh, sure. I can just see that happening at my daughter’s christening party. The Storms would all love that.”
As they watched Jenny shimmy closer to Luke, he said something to her, then left the group. In a second, he was back with Dawn in his arms, cooing and staring at her like she was a precious gem. Molly stood across the room, a smug grin on her face. But now he paid no attention to Jenny and was completely occupied with his daughter. After kissing Dawn on the head, he tipped his chin up and searched the room. When his gaze landed on Elle, he smiled, those dimples aiming straight at her.
His eyes softened as he watched her, and she nodded at him.
“Guess I don’t need a smackdown. Not with my mother-in-law watching out for me.”
Darcy’s lips twisted to the side. “That Molly is a wily one. She and my mother-in-law could give lessons on getting what they want with a smile and some finely tuned words.”
“Add in my mother-in-law,” Alandra said. “And those three women rule this town. I don’t even want to think what they can do when Gram gets involved. It’s a sight to behold.”
Tessa lowered her head and whispered, “I love being part of the Storm family. It’s almost like they’re local superheroes. It gives me all sorts of protection and makes me feel safe.”
Elle had heard Tessa’s sad story and was so happy the woman and Erik had gotten together.
A screech from outside had the moms running to see whose child had gotten hurt. She peeked out the window to see hugs and kisses being given but knew Dawn was safe in her daddy’s arms.
When she glanced to where Luke was, Jenny still lingered near him, like a moth to a light. She knew the feeling. Luke made everyone want to be close to him.
Molly strolled over, a napkin in her hand. “I brought you the last crabbie. I know how much you like them.”
Elle kissed her cheek and took the puff pastry. “Thanks so much.” She took a bite but her eyes strayed to her cousin again.
“I know you’ve been leery of Luke and his past, Ellie, and you certainly have a reason to be,” Molly said quietly as she also regarded her son. “My youngest boy played around for a long time, and often I feared he’d never settle down.”
“Well, it was kind of forced on him.” She finished the last bite and wiped her hands on the napkin.
Molly gave her a loving look. “I don’t think he ever saw it that way. He worships his daughter, and he cares for you very much. He grew up watching what a loving family was like, and he wants that, too, I think.”
“I can’t dispute the fact he is in love with that baby. He told me the other day he was happy we had our little mishap.”
Molly drew her into an embrace. “Because it was with you. You have always been special to Luke. I couldn’t have chosen a better partner for him if I’d tried. Or a better mother for his child.”
The love she felt coming from Molly Storm was so beautiful and strong, and Elle finally felt like maybe she and Luke had a chance for a happy marriage.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The sun shone down, warming Elle as she pushed the baby stroller down the street. She’d been trying to get outside for a long walk as often as possible. Being the first day in June, the weather had been lovely, yet not too hot. It was ideal for bringing Dawn outside to get fresh air. Hopefully, it would help her to sleep better.
The baby would be four weeks old tomorrow, so she couldn’t expect her to sleep through the night. Wouldn’t that be fabulous if she did? Elle’s mind, and body, was so tired she didn’t even think she could imagine it. Molly assured her it would happen.
“Do you go this far every day, babe?” Luke asked, strolling along beside her through the town green.
“Not at first. Little by little, I’ve worked up to coming downtown. As long as it’s not raining, I’ve been trying to get out.” And hopefully get some of her baby weight off. After seeing her cousin, Jenny, in a skintight dress last weekend, Elle had been determined to get back in shape. She’d even done some baby exercises she’d found online. Dawn had loved being lifted i
nto the air on Elle’s legs or belly as she did some of them.
As they passed in front of Sweet Dreams, the bakery and candy store Aunt Luci worked at, Luke paused and pointed. “Did you want to stop in and get something?”
Want, yes. Need, no. “We can go in if you want.”
Luke held the door for her as she pushed the stroller inside. A young woman with short, dark hair stood behind the counter and waved.
“Be right there.” She finished boxing some cupcakes for a customer, rang up the sale, then accepted their payment. When the other customer left, she turned her smile to them.
“Hey, Luke. Haven’t seen you in here for a while. Like, right before you deployed, and you brought all the Storm kids down.”
“Hey, Kelsey. I’ve been a little busy.” He glanced at their daughter, then tugged on Elle’s hand. “This is my wife, Ellie. I’m not sure if you’ve met. And our precious cherub, Dawn Marie.”
“Hi, Ellie. Nice to meet you. You look familiar, so I’ve probably seen you around town. Congratulations on the baby.”
“Nice to meet you, Kelsey.” Elle checked out the interaction between this woman and Luke, but aside from being friendly, there didn’t appear to be anything more. She needed to stop questioning whether Luke had slept with every woman they came in contact with.
“What can I get you?”
Luke ordered a cinnamon bun and a cup of coffee. As much as Elle would kill for that kind of sweetness, she declined. “I’d love a cup of tea, thanks.”
While Kelsey hustled about getting their order, Luke steered the stroller to a small bistro table near the window and adjusted the baby so she wasn’t in the sun.
When Kelsey brought Luke’s cinnamon roll over, he pulled a chunk off and held it up. “Are you sure you don’t want some? Aunt Luci makes these, and they are delicious.”
“Thanks, but I’m already two tons over what I want to weigh. I don’t need to add any more.”
Luke narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about? You look great, babe.”
“Not as great as my cousin, Jenny. I sure couldn’t have fit in the dress she had on at the party last weekend.”
Luke looked confused. “I don’t remember what she was wearing.”
Luke hadn’t noticed Jenny’s dress? Elle’s heart fluttered, and hope surged through her blood.
“Slim-fitting dress. Showed a lot of leg and other body parts.”
When his gaze rose, she could tell he really didn’t remember. “Why would you want to dress like her, anyway? You’ve always had more class than she did.”
Reaching over, Elle took his hand and squeezed. “Thank you. I’m just feeling a little self-conscious about my body.”
“There’s nothing wrong with your body, Ellie. Take my word for it.” Luke waggled his eyebrows.
She gave a fake scowl. “You haven’t really seen much of it lately.”
“Let me know when you want me to change that.” Luke winked, then took another bite of his roll.
“You might need to have a chat with your daughter about her sleeping habits before anything changes.”
They both chuckled and finished their drinks. Luke pushed the carriage on the way back, and Elle slipped her hands around his elbow as they meandered home. As they strolled, she thought about what Luke had said. Did he want to become intimate again? Stupid question. Luke Storm. Casanova of Squamscott Falls. Was she ready? It had only been a month. According to what she’d read, women could be ready anywhere from three weeks to three months. Yet she was still bleeding a little. Would that turn him off? Or would he go find relief elsewhere if she didn’t give it to him?
The walk was nice, and Elle loved how Luke’s gaze never strayed, even when several young ladies checked him out. He focused on her and Dawn, chattering to both of them. He truly loved his daughter. Maybe he wouldn’t abandon the baby the way her parents had.
She’d continue to make his home life as good as she could. Keep the house clean, his clothes washed and put away, and dinner ready most nights. Should she add regular sex to the list? As her hand ran up and down Luke’s arm, desire stirred.
By the time they got home, Elle had visualized Luke’s hands and mouth all over her the few dozen times they’d had sex in the short time they’d been living together. How did she go about letting him know what she wanted? What he probably wanted, too.
Dawn needed to be fed before she could do anything else. After settling on the couch and nursing the infant, Elle contemplated how she’d get Luke interested. Or would he be once he got a look at her post-baby body?
“Luke, would you mind carrying Dawn up to her bassinet? I want to see if she’ll sleep there for a bit. I’d like to wean her away from sleeping on me all the time.”
“Happy to.” He gently lifted the baby into his arms and started for the stairs.
Elle followed and took a minute in the bathroom to clean up. Her shirt had a huge spot of milk from when Dawn had drifted off. It would need to be changed.
Luke stood by the bassinet, his face filled with delight as he watched their daughter sleep. She needed to make her move if she wanted this today.
As she removed her shirt and nursing bra, she checked her appearance in the mirror. The belly skin still sagged, but she didn’t look too bad from the back. Her breasts were huge from nursing.
After chucking her soiled shirt and bra into the hamper, she dug through the dresser for new ones, but didn’t put them on. Holding her shirt in front of her, she twisted toward her husband.
“Did you mean it when you said I looked great?”
Luke cocked his head, then stepped toward her. A grin lit his face at her bare top half. “Better than great. I love watching you feed Dawn, but I have to say I get so turned on when you do. You have no idea how much I want to touch you.”
“How much?” Her arm lowered, baring her torso to his view.
His brows lifted. “Don’t tempt me, babe. I know you’re not ready for anything yet.”
“I’m not?”
Luke narrowed his eyes. “Aren’t you? My dad gave me a little talk about not rushing anything after a woman has a baby. I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”
Elle took a step closer, dropped the shirt, then rested her hands on his shoulders. “You wouldn’t hurt me, would you? Not if you take it slow.”
“Slow.” A wolf grin crossed Luke’s face. “I can do slow. And easy. And anything else you like.”
Nodding her head, Elle said, “I like.”
“What do you like, babe? Tell me.” He sunk his hands into her hair and kissed her.
Oh, God. She’d missed this. The passion, the desire, the thirst. Luke had kissed her often on the cheek, the head, the hair, her nose, and very quickly on the mouth. But since their child had been born, he hadn’t kissed her like this.
“I want you to touch me, Luke. Make me feel like I’m the only one you want.”
Another smirk. “That’s easy. You are the only one I want. The one who sets me on fire but keeps me from burning alive. You keep me whole, Ellie.”
Luke swooped her up in his arms, and she giggled. Ridiculous, but so romantic. Gently, he laid her in the middle of the bed, then kicked his shoes off before resting right beside her.
“You said slow, correct?”
She licked her lips, loving the gleam in his eyes as she did. “Not so slow that I’ll fall asleep. Or that our daughter will wake up needing to eat again.”
“Got it.” He winked and kissed her again.
Elle came alive when he skimmed his lips across her cheek, then down her neck and nibbled at her throat. His hands caressed and stroked until pleasure burst from every pore. She touched him back, wanting to feel every inch of his magnificent body.
Then, she wanted more. Skin to skin, his to hers. She edged her hands under his shirt and stripped it off his chest.
“God, yes, babe. Touch me. I missed your touch, but I didn’t want to rush you. Are you sure you’re ready?”
Was she? N
ot really. She’d been sore down there for a while and definitely had anxiety about having sex again. “I want to be with you.” That was the absolute truth, if not quite an answer to his question.
Framing her face, he gazed into her eyes. “I’m a little nervous. I want you to tell me if something doesn’t feel right or hurts in any way. Promise me.”
Elle nodded, then drew his head down for another passionate kiss. Luke knew exactly where to touch and kiss and caress.
They took their time exploring again and again. Lips. Hands. Soft and gentle. Moans and whispers. This was what dreams were made of. The man she loved giving her everything she needed and making it all about her. Luke was a generous lover and seemed to know exactly where she liked to be touched and kissed and just how hard or soft to press.
As he touched his mouth to her belly, Elle moaned and dug at his shoulders. “Luke, it’s—”
“It’s what?” He eyed her, a loving expression on his face. Could it be…?
She rolled her eyes and pressed her lips together.
After another kiss to her belly, Luke said, “This is a beautiful part of you, Ellie. It needs love and attention just like all the others. We can’t be neglectful.”
Elle laughed. “No, let’s not neglect any place.”
“I’ll try my hardest not to miss any place. Let me know if I do.”
Elle could barely think with the way Luke made her feel. The kissing and touching, and skin sliding over skin was pure deliciousness. He made sure to caress every inch he could find.
When his fingers drifted between her legs, she stiffened. But he’d gotten her so worked up she wanted all of it. All of Luke.
Pressing his lips to her stomach, he grazed his fingers across her sensitive skin until he reached the bundle of nerves that had been calling out for him. Slowly, tenderly, he stroked her until she was on the verge of flying.
“Luke. God, Luke.”
