Limitless Love (Lotus House #4)(67)

My voice lowered, sounding desperate even to my ears. “Clayton…”

“Not waiting any longer, Monet. It’s been over a month. I want in.” His words brooked no argument, not that he would get one from me. We wanted the same thing.

It still shocked me that it had been over a month since my attack and our rapid pairing. Even though we’d basically done everything else in the bedroom, we hadn’t consummated our relationship—our love—through intercourse. It was the final step toward our unity. In that moment, it seemed crucial, vital to moving forward with our forever.

“I want you in too,” I whispered back, a girlie sense of anticipation fluttering in my stomach like a dozen flapping butterflies.

“Then let’s get a move on.”

“Bye, Nick, and thank you for everything.” I waved.

“You got it, angel. See you on Thursday for the follow-up session. At that one, I’ll be teaching you the bear hug, the hammer grip, and the wrist sweeps!”

He sounded honestly excited about it. Made me wonder if he should be teaching this class regularly at Lotus House. I’d bet Crystal and Jewel wouldn’t think twice about adding a class to the schedule.

“Have you approached the owners about adding this class to the Lotus House regular schedule? It seems like a pretty important subject and something all women and men alike should learn.”

Nick tipped his head and rubbed a hand along his jaw. “You know what, I think you’re right. You being attacked really woke up the staff here. I’m going to chat with Crystal and Jewel. See if it’s something they’re interested in. Regardless, I should definitely open a session at my boxing gym. There’s no reason I couldn’t. Heck, the boxers alone have enough girlfriends and wives who would probably want to learn how to protect themselves too. Thanks for planting the seed, Moe.”

I grinned. “Thank you for teaching me the ropes. I’ll see you Thursday for sure!”

“You got it, angel. Keep your man honest, yeah?”

Clay looped an arm around my shoulders. “Always, man. Always.”

“I’ll just bet.” Nick grinned, and Clay gave him one of those super cool three-fingered waves that totally said tough guy.

“So, our project?” I niggled at Clay.

He tipped his head back and smiled. “Yes!” The word came out as a hiss. “You already know I’m so into you. Can’t wait to bury myself deep inside.”

My cheeks flamed. “I do. And I’m so into you too!” Admittedly we were being super cheesy, but I was having fun with it. Something I hadn’t had in a relationship before.

“Now it’s time to physically get there.” He nipped at the shell of my ear, sending a spark of lust spiraling right between my thighs.

I physically ached for his touch there. Heck, everywhere. “We’ll make it happen.”

“Tonight?”

“Tonight.”

“Halle-fucking-lujah.”





Chapter Fifteen





The heart chakra couple will often follow the same moral principles and uphold the same family values. This will allow for peace and happiness in the home.

CLAYTON



“And this little piggy went wee wee weeeee all the way home.” I shook Lily’s pinky toe, making her squeal with laughter.

Her breath came in ragged gasps as I situated her in bed, covered her up, and tucked her in on all sides around her small form. I was pretty proud of myself for remembering one of the nursery stories my mom used to humor me with as a kid.

Lily’s black hair, so like her mother’s, spread out on her pink sheets. I swept a lock off her forehead, and that’s when she nailed me with it.

“Clay, are you gonna be my daddy now?”

Just like in the cartoons with the roadrunner and the coyote, a giant proverbial anvil landed right on my chest, pressing my ribcage against my heart. A whoosh of air left my lungs as I blinked and inhaled slowly, trying to calm my rapidly beating heart. This was not a conversation I could take lightly. I glanced around to see if Monet’s mommy radar had magically sent out a homing beacon. Maybe she could zero in from afar and show up and do mommy things that would change the subject and make everyone happy all at the same time. Unfortunately, none of that happened.

Against my normal inclination, I decided to go the coward route since I hadn’t had this conversation with Monet. As much as I would’ve liked to claim this little girl and her mother, we were not officially at that place. We’d need a church, an officiant, a horde of yogis, my family, and a badass party before anything became official.

“Why would you ask that, sweetie?” I sat on the edge of her bed and eased closer so she could play with the leather bracelet I’d worn since college. Trent and I had bought them on a whim in hippie central down on Telegraph Avenue, where the street vendors always set up their homemade wares for selling to tourists and locals. I guess maybe it could be considered a friendship bracelet of sorts.

Lily’s shoulders bounced up and down, but her eyes stayed on the bracelet. “I don’t have a daddy, and I can’t have PowPow because he’s Auntie Mimi’s and not Mommy’s husband. That’s what Mimi said. But you like Mommy. A lot. I see you kissin’ her all the time.”