“I’ll take that as a yes.” He says, only after giving me the longest, deepest kiss of our life together so far. I nod my head frantically, my mind spinning with what we’ll do together, but the pain in my leg soon reminds me we have a few bridges to cross before the big day.
“But it can start now, can’t it?” I ask, feeling my eyes shining with excitement. “I can be yours starting right now, forever and always?”
I say it as a question, but I know in my heart it’s true.
“Forever and always,” Kit says with a grin, and kisses me again.
The crackle of the radio coming to life from the kitchen table pulls us apart.
It’s dad.
“You didn’t tell me our hiker was such a looker, Kit! I might even have to give her mouth to mouth, just to be sure she’s alright.”
We both stop to laugh and I look quizzically at Kit. “She’s not my type, but I can just tell her and your dad… they’ll get on like a house on fire.”
“And what exactly is your type?” I ask, pretending to sound offended.
“Oh, she’s about your height, has blond hair and blue eyes… answers to the name of Bree… likes to roam a bit, but I think I’ve got a handle on that now though.” he says, smirking to himself.
“C’mere,” I whisper, “Gimee some more of that mouth to mouth, will ya?”
EPILOGUE
Kit
“This is some kind of weird honeymoon, huh?” Mark asks me, casting his line out.
“Not really,” I tell him, “Now that you’ve signed the deed over, you’ll be going home. We’re just fishin’ a bit for Bree’s sake. So she can see her old man and her new husband chewing the fat, like old times.”
I don’t mean to sound so harsh, but I still can’t look at Mark the same way since everything that happened has come to pass.
Not really like old times at all.
Mark sighs, “Kit… I’m not gonna say sorry again. I shouldn’t have to, I really think though that it’s high time you let things rest. Bree came out okay and you always seem to want to overlook the fact that you slept with my daughter.”
I roll my eyes, and it always makes me smile when I get to wind Mark up after the fact.
Bree tells me off for it when she catches me, but it’s a half-fun, half-serious thing with me now, I just can’t help it.
He let Bree go out in that weather, then it was like some punishment that he left her out there. I shudder when I think what could have been, rather than the blessing of what is between Bree and I today.
“I was gonna tell you about that,” I tell him, and to keep things light I change the subject.
“On the up side, you got something out of all this, too,” I remind him, and as if on cue, the girls come out of the house. Mark’s new wife, Sue calling out to him as she politely ignores me.
“Mark? I’m ready when you are honey!”
Sue’s the bimbo hiker I told to get off our property right before the storm hit. She’s never forgiven me for blowing her off like that, but I have Bree, so why would I even look twice at anyone else?
Mark went up in the chopper that day, spotted her and well, the rest as they say is history. Sparks flew for them, so happy days.
Mark grimaces, waving. “The ol’ ball and chain heh?” he asks me, winding his reel and shooting me a wink.
“I wouldn’t change it for the world,” he adds, and I know he means it. I feel exactly the same way too.
“Please, Kit. I’m asking nice now. Can we please, pretty please, put all this stuff behind us and get on with our lives, as a family?”
He looks out over the lake and his lower lip starts to tremble as he speaks again, “I don’t… I won’t have you thinking I left Bree out there deliberately, like I wasn’t cut up about her out there in that storm. How’d you think I felt about it all, being her damned father? I love her Kit, and a father’s love is something I hope you get to understand one day. One day soon."
It’s left field for Mark, and for me too. I like direct, but both barrels between the eyes from him as he holds out his hand, plus the silver tear in his eyes as his voice wavers.
Ah shit.
Apology accepted.
I can’t bear a grudge any more than I can stand to see my friend hurting like I know he does every day. We both wish that day never happened, but it did and I guess it is time for me to man up, to forgive and most definitely forget it.
Bree and I have too much ahead of us, and like it or not, Mark and Sue are a part of that family now too.
I take Mark’s hand, then pull him towards me, giving him a bear hug as I squeeze something out of my own damned eye before anybody sees.
How’d that get there?
“So I’ll see you at work tomorrow?” Mark quips, wiping his eye with his sleeve, handing me his rod.
“Ha-ha, very funny. I quit remember?”
“Paid parental leave.” Mark says quietly, winking again and stabbing my ribs with his finger.
“Whenever you’re ready, Kit. We’d be proud to serve with you again,” he says, and I know he means it. We had our differences, but Mark’s a professional and an honorable medic.
“Well, I’ll think about it,” I lie. “I’ll see you tomorrow, no doubt?”
“That you will, Kit. That you will.”
And with that Mark clasps my shoulder before he turns to go back up to the house. I wave and press a kiss from my fingers out to Bree, but I won’t see Mark and Sue out, I’ll see Mark tomorrow.
He and Sue are our neighbors. Turns out she was up here looking to buy real estate, and after her rescue from her knight in shining overalls…well. She bought out the other half of what was left of the hillside, keeping it well and truly in the family from now on.
Once they leave, Bree comes down to the little pier, and I pretend like I’m fishing, but I’m really thinking.
Thinking about her, about that day. About how amazing she looks as she walks down the steps, rubbing her belly as she puffs out breaths every now and then, scaring me like she’s about to give birth any minute.
“You and dad okay now?” she asks, and I have a sneaking feeling she put Mark up to our little chat.
“When were we not okay,” I ask, hooking my hands behind her back and pulling her towards me, pecking her lips, tasting frosting and lemonade, the kind she knows I love it when she makes it.
She rolls her eyes and sighs, smiling.
“Well, good.” She says, “Now, come on up to the house. I have something I need help with…”
Fishing be damned.
When Bree “needs some help” I know what that means, and I’ve been aching for her all day.
I drop the fishing gear, letting it fall where it might. And scoop Bree up into my arms, I lift her off her feet, growling as I feel her softness against my hardness.
“Shortness of breath, elevated BP, erratic pulse,” she gasps, kneading my chest with one hand, stroking my nodding face with the other as I pick up my pace towards the house, making for our bedroom.
“Any swelling?” I ask again, more serious this time.
She nods, “Mmmm. And the usual super-hydration, that wetness, but it’s my shortness of breath. Every time I see you doctor. I just can’t breathe right.”
“We’ll begin with mouth to mouth,” I assure her, then I’ll examine that moist swelling of yours… I think I have something for it in my bag.”
God I love it when she talks like this…
It’s why I might never go back to work again.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
Bree
“Daddy? Is this where you rescued Mommy?”
I roll my eyes internally, do we have to have the story every time we hike past here?
But I don’t really mind, I know how much Michelle likes hearing about her dad’s heroics.
It kinda gives me the tingles every time I hear about it, it’s partly why I don’t like him telling it around the kids.
It always means Mommy and Daddy have to have a nap when they get home, even the nights at Grandpa’s if the story’s too in depth.
I know the kids love it though the how I met your mother story much better than anything I could come up with either and Kit’s so patient with the kids, telling it slightly different each time, but keeping to the facts. Mostly.
This time, he finishes it with a little too much enthusiasm.
“… And that’s how I found the giant gold nugget that’s locked in the safe… all that water, swept it right out from deep down inside the mountain, all those poor pioneers, they miss out, but I got the gold and I got your mom.”
The kids groan at this version, Michelle kicking her feet against Kit’s back on her harness.
Caleb tugging at my hand as I hold it as we walk, he’s putting his finger in his mouth, pretending to throw up.
“Awww… C’mon guys, I thought Daddy’s story was great this time around, especially the part about all that gold,” I say, winking at Kit when I see the look in his eyes, making my breath catch.
“Who feels like ice cream?” I ask, and both kids plus Kit cheer hip-hooray, “… At Grandpa’s?” I add and all but Kit cheers again, he catches my meaning, my mood and his eyes narrow on me, I can hear his low growl underneath everything else. The sounds of kids, the wind and the trees. His sound.
Our sound.
The one he makes when he knows how bad I need him inside me.
Like today.
Before Caleb and Chelle, we used to hike a lot, and it’s a good thing to that it’s private property. Nowadays, with the little ones we have to make special Mommy Daddy time, and the kids are fine with that, so we time it so Grandpa and Sue get lots of visits.
Lots of visits.
“Now Mommy can tell us all how much she wants you all to have another baby brother or sister.” Kit teases, paying me back for something, or setting up a punishment I’m yet to dole out. An extra spanking in the bedroom maybe? He’s gotten so frisky now that we’re married. Some people say sex gets boring, dies down after marriage, especially after kids.
Kit is like it’s the first day every time, that day in my dad’s hallway. I still get goosebumps when I see him, every day and in the best kind of way.
“Maybe Daddy can tell them how Mommy likes to have a rest between babies.” I tease him right back, but it’s too late. The other two are already discussing whether they want a baby brother or a baby sister. Then they start listing off names.
I catch up with Kit, holding my hand for his and as he squeezes mine, winking at me, I figure that’s the end of it. But no, Kit’s got an idea, and he’s using our own children as bait.
He starts suggesting names, ridiculous names, and both Michelle and Caleb whoop and holler at some and screw their faces at others.
By the time we get to Grandpa’s gate, they’re still listing off names, as he’s out front working on his truck.
He waves at us all, giving me one of his special smiles.
“Not that time again, is it?” he asks jokingly, making me blush.
“I mean with the baby names,” dad adds, making me feel slightly less guilty about our self-appointed babysitter roster which just happens to coincide with my husband’s libido, which is non-stop.
“Grandpa!” both kids squeal, and Kit lets Michelle down, with both kids swarming Grandpa as he scoops them up, kissing them both and heading into the house.
“I’ll drop them back, or are you coming for dinner?” he asks, happy for either.
“We’ll come for dinner, if that’s alright.” Kit adds, “My treat, I’ll bring something.”
Dad waves and the kids are off, running amok in his house, which overlooks the lake too. Their home away from home.
“You shouldn’t fill their heads with all that stuff about miner’s gold, Kit… gives them ideas, makes it impossible to get them to sleep.”
He laces his fingers through mine again, and kissing my hand just shrug with one of his knowing looks.
“Who says I made it up? Plus you shouldn’t deny them a brother or sister,” he says, teasing me while changing the subject.
“Pfft! Well, Mr. Smarty pants, maybe you can carry the next one, and not on your back. I mean in here, for nine months.” I squeal, tickling his abs, which always amaze me by being so damned perfect. Like him.
“What is it baby?” he asks, noticing my change in mood suddenly.
“I just feel like a frump, Kit. I know I walk every day and we eat healthy, but look at me! I’m a damned cow compared to you, it’s embarrassing.”
Kit frowns, stopping in his tracks to hold me by the shoulders gently.
“I’m not embarrassed by you, Bree. I love you, more and more every day. If you really want, we can go through all that crap about what people look like, even get you trained up, special food the works… to look like what? Someone you aren’t?”
I open my mouth to protest, I only get like this sometimes, usually when we’re out and I can see how amazing Kit’s body is compared to mine.
“Do you really want all that Bree? Because I don’t. I want you, just you. Who you are, the way you are. All to myself…” he growls, and sucks on my neck, taking my breath away, making me feel like a queen instantly.
“How soon?” I ask him suddenly.
“How soon what?” he asks.
“How soon can you get me back to our bed, so you can fuck me like never before, so I can come on that huge fat cock of yours, show you just how much I love you?”
Kit presses his forehead against mine.
“I love you Bree, but I love you more when you talk dirty.”
I open my mouth, but he puts a finger over it, “Not too dirty,” he cautions me, grinning and he picks me up, throwing me over his huge shoulders in a fireman’s lift and starts to jog the trail back home.
“I love you too Kit, I really do.”
I say it, but I think it too. I have it etched on my heart and in my mind, every minute of every day.
Kit Bannon,
My hero. My husband, my only.
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A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS
Book 1: Baby Lust
Book 2: Veteran
Book 3: Built
Book 4: Bambino
Book 5: Rescued
Book 6: Leader
Book 7: Professor
Book 8: Burned
Book 9: Worldly
Book 10: Pistol
Book 11: Policed
Book 12: Driven
Book 13: Lucky 13
Book 14: Lumberjacked
Book 15: Protector
Book 16: Carpenter
Book 17: Italian Stallion
Book 18: Gardener
Book 19: Budapest Billionaire’s Virgin
Book 20: Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 21: Cocky CFO
Book 22: Fireman’s Filthy 4th
Book 23: Mechanic
Book 24: SEAL’s Secret
Book 25: Police, Pooch, and Smooch
Book 26: Fireman’s Fake Fiancée
Book 27: Billionaire’s Virgin Ballerina
Book 28: Bitcoin Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 29: Veterans Day Daddy
Book 30: Cowboy’s Christmas Carol
Book 31: Police Officer’s Princess
Book 32: Statham
Book 33: Bodyguard
Book 34: Greek God
Book 35: Billionaire Single Dad's Babysitter
Book 36: Mountain Man
Book 37: SEAL’s Justice
Book 38: Royal Romance
Book 39: Doctor Mountain Man’s Special Delivery
Book 40: Crocodile Dan D
Book 41: Mountain Man’s Secret Baby
Book 42: Doctor Bad Boy’s Secret Baby
Book 43: Cop’s Babysitter
Book 44: Nanny for the Cop Next Door
Book 45: Small Town SEAL’s Saving Grace
Book 47: Billionaire’s Nanny
Book 48: Cowboy’s Babysitter
Book 49: Steamy
Book 50: Brother’s Best Friend
Book 51: Possessive Professor
Book 52: Firefighter’s Babysitter
Book 53: Soldier’s Secret Baby
Book 54: Ward’s Independence Day
Book 55: Doctor Next Door
Book 56: Possessive Policeman
Book 57: Coached by the MMA Fighter
Book 58: Boss’s Babysitter
Book 59: Virgin in New York
Book 60: Rock Star’s Baby
Book 61: Possessive Protector
Book 62: Possessive Australian
Book 63: Best Friend’s Brother
Book 64: Possessive Cowboy
Book 65: Summer Romanced
Book 66: Possessive Prince
Book 67: Lovers’s Enemy
Book 68: Cop’s Best Friend
Book 69: Possessive Firefighter
Book 70: Football Next Door
Book 71: Doctor December
Book 72: Possessive Canadian
Book 73: Blue Collar Billionaire
Book 74: Possessive K-9 Cop
Book 75: Possessive Brazilian
Book 76: Hockey Obsession
Book 77: Possessive Boston Irish American MMA Fighter
Book 78: Halloween Next Door
Book 79: Possessive Russian
Book 80: Baseball Mine
Book 81: Cop’s Caribbean Captive
Book 82: Instalove Island
Book 83: Dad’s Best Friend
Book 84: Thanksgiving with Dad’s Boss
Book 85: Possessive Italian Neighbor
Book 86: Possessive Portuguese
Book 87: Possessive Christmas Cop
Book 88: Russian’s Obsession
Book 89: Possessive Doctor’s Christmas
Book 90: Possessive Parisian Pilot
Book 91: U.K. Boxing Day
Book 92: Jealous Russian Stalker
Book 93: Italian Mountain Man
Book 94: Aggressive Russian
Book 95: Possessive Valentine
Book 96: Possessive Hunter
Book 97: Dad’s Russian Mafia Friend