Words From The Heart (Spring-Summer Romance Book 2) (11 page)

“I’d like a cab sent to …” Bennett related the address to the dispatcher and, seconds later, disconnected. He walked forward, into Cale’s face. “You’re going to leave my property and not return.”

“That’s …
my
son.”

“No.” Bennett spoke sharp. “It’s
my
son. No judge in his right mind is going to give someone in your condition access to a two-year-old … and I know people. You can look for legal papers within the next few days.”

Legal papers? Audrey stared at the back of Bennett’s head. He wanted to adopt?

Unable to speak for the emotion clogging her throat, she didn’t try, but stood in place until the cab came and Bennett paid the driver. He strode back up the walk, not stopping until they were face-to-face.

“Did you mean that?” she asked.

He nodded. “He’s not taking my son away from me. I should have done something long before now, and really, it won’t be a problem. Beth’s dad has lawyer friends and strong pull that will work in our favor.”

“But …” Her thoughts skittered. Bennett wanted to adopt August. She wanted to be Jeff and June’s mom for real, too. Doing either one required a decision though.

Bennett continued. “I have all the family I need right here, three wonderful children, who have two sets of loving grandparents, and the most beautiful, capable mother.” He lowered his mouth to her cheek and spoke soft in her ear. “The sexiest wife.”

Audrey pulled back her face to see his, her heart skipping. “Did you just say …?”

He nodded. “I need you, Audrey Ferguson, to become Audrey Adams.”

“For the children?”

“For them,” he replied, “and for me. Say
yes
then let’s go tell the three people who matter.”

She didn’t reply, but not because she couldn’t speak, nor because she doubted her answer, but because of the images from the last year of her life flashing by. Nursing June. Taking Jeff to school. Bennett teaching August to walk. And between all of those and dozen more similar moments, the handsome face of the man who’d stolen her heart.

“I love you,” she said.

“Is that a
yes
?” he asked.

She dipped her chin, and his mouth sought hers, his kiss holding a different flavor this time, one created by hope and healing and forgiveness. Salty with tears and spiced with longing at what was to come.

One arm around her, he steered them both indoors. “Hey, everyone,” he called out, shutting the front door. They walked into the living room together.

“Your mom and I have something to tell you.”

Jeff glanced up from his program and August, a soggy sandwich cookie. June came pattering across the floor. She wrapped her arms around their legs and looked up.

“Mama. Dada,” she said.

“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Bennett replied.

Bennett took his time, lingering on her neck, her breasts, her naval, each place holding its own savoriness, a delicate hint of salt mixed with sweet. Her thighs were nectar, her warm center, honey, but this time he teased, refusing her completion, and as the hour passed, she cried out at it, the sound beautiful in his ears. Her hands clutching his back, what’d been a year of enticement became, instead, desperation.

He waited until she was weak with longing, then joined with her in a rush, carrying them both to a new place. Her name spoken tenderly, those three precious words,
I love you,
heated, intense.

Lying in their new bed in their new bedroom, they stepped into the future where nothing mattered by the next moment they could spend, like this, together.

“Promise me when we’re old and gray you’ll still make me feel this way,” Audrey said.

“I promise,” he replied, “but …”

Her lips puckered. “But?”

“Mmm …” He made a low grunt. “But, Mrs. Adams, the house is empty, and the night’s young yet.”

A year and a half later

Bennett wrapped a blanket around them both, the first chill of winter too much for their summer wear, and Audrey snuggled against him, her eyes on the children.

“They’re immune to the cold,” she said.

He trailed his gaze around the yard. Jeff, in short sleeves, pushed August on the swing. June, her chubby legs peeking out beneath her sundress, sat atop the slide, making no attempt to go.

His children. As he’d predicted, there’d been no trouble adopting August, and Audrey had, soon after, become his wife.

“You could make them wear a jacket,” he replied, “but they’ll only take it off. It’s not so bad yet … only to the old folk.”

Her eyes on him, she made a face. “I wish you’d stop that. It isn’t funny.”

He grinned. “It’s kind of funny, especially when you look at me like that.”

As a peace offering, he kissed her on the nose. She lifted one hand to his cheek and held it there.

“It’s not funny at all, and this house is getting too small.”

It was. She was right. But, at least, they had enough bedrooms.

“Pretty soon, the children will have to share space,” she continued. “We could put the boys together, I guess.”

A niggling poked him sharp in the chest. Taking hold of her chin, he brought her face more his direction. “What are you talking about?”

She smiled. “Well … you’ve already proven how young and virile you are, definitely not old at all.”

The needle in his chest became a fist.

“And we both know you’re a great dad. There’s the evidence.” She nodded toward the children.

“Don’t tease me,” he said.

Audrey laughed. “We need a bigger house, Bennett, with room for child number four.” She held up four fingers, wriggling them.

Bennett released her and sat down hard on the ground, crisp grass tickling his legs. Seconds later, she plopped at his side and re-enveloped him in the blanket.

“It’ll be okay,” she said. “You like me curvy.”

He swallowed hard. “Yes,” he replied. “That’s what captured me in the first place.”

THE END

Alex Greenville is a pen name for a line of contemporary romance novels. For more information on Alex’s books, visit
www.AGRomance.com
.