Tempted & Taken (Men of Haven #4)(88)

“Oh, babies!” This from Ninette who’d settled back on her bar stool. “The fact that word even came out of our boy’s mouth says that shopping trip’s not too far away.”

Shit. She was right. Where the fuck had babies come from? Although, picturing Darya’s belly big with his child made him stand up a helluva lot taller and pushed his shoulders back about as far as they’d go. Still, he kept his gaze trained on the coffee machine while it gurgled and churned out the last of his brew.

The loft’s door chunked open, and Jace and Axel ambled in. It took the two of them all of two seconds to scan the open space, clock everyone’s positions and settle in on razzing Knox. “Told ya he’d be up and chompin’ to go,” Axel said over his shoulder to Jace.

Jace aimed an ornery grin at Knox. “Yeah, but if he’s half-dressed it hasn’t been for long, which meant he had a damned good night.”

“I’m in my own place and my woman’s still in my bed,” Knox said over his cup of coffee. “Be glad I put on jeans.”

“Well, there is that.” Axel ambled toward the kitchen while Jace peeled off to check in with Ivan. “Do I smell fried potatoes?”

“And bacon,” Sylvie said. “Biscuits are in the oven, and I’ll whip up the eggs once Danny and Beckett roll in.”

Axel moved into Ninette’s side, wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek. “Just like bein’ at home.”

“If my boys are there, it is home,” Ninette said with an easy smile. “But speakin’ of Haven, how’s the rest of the crew?”

“Levi’s on top of the world,” Axel said. “Trevor stopped off at his place and picked up Lady, so adding Ruger and Max in the mix, he’s in dog heaven. Plus, his aunt Vivienne and aunt Gabe have deemed it their duty to spoil him more than normal.”

“As they should,” Sylvie said. “Though, I’ve never met a lad easier to spoil than Levi.”

The grate of wood against the concrete floor drew everyone’s attention to the big dining room table. Ivan stood, shook Jace’s hand and tossed a casual wave to everyone gathered in the kitchen. “I’m gonna head out and bunk down for a few hours. You guys need me before tonight, give me a call and I’ll head over.”

Knox met him halfway to the front door and offered his hand. “Appreciate you pulling a shift on short notice.”

Ivan took it and met his stare head on. “Haven’t gotten to know Darya much yet, but I know you. If she’s yours, she’s worth it.” With that, he tipped his head to the women, opened the door and headed out.

“He’s gonna be a no-brainer.” Jace settled in behind the computers, but rearranged his chair so he could have a straight-on view of the kitchen as well as the laptop screens. He cocked one foot up on the rung of the chair beside him and cranked his head to Knox. “Any idea how far out Danny and Beck are?”

Knox threw the bolt on the front door and padded back to the kitchen. “Ought to be here anytime. Where are Zeke and Trevor?”

“Stayin’ at Haven to keep an eye on things,” Axel said. “We’ve got their proxy, but can call ’em if somethin’ big comes up that needs their input.” Lifting his own coffee mug, he dipped his head in the direction of Knox’s suite. “Darya still out?”

“I hope so.” Knox pulled out a bar stool next to Ninette. “Yesterday was a hell of a day.”

“I take it you shared a few extra details on her new family?” Axel said.

“Enough she gets we can handle what needs to be handled.”

“How’d that go?” Ninette asked.

Knox kept his gaze rooted to the countertop, but he was pretty sure everyone still caught the stupid smile on his face. “She took me like I am.”

“Knew I liked that lass,” Axel said with a chuckle.

Jace’s voice cut from the dining room table. “Danny and Beck just pulled in.”

“Right,” Sylvie said with a nod. “Eggs are goin’ on now.”

Maybe it was the smell of all the food, or the chorus of male voices overpowering the room once Beckett and Danny showed, but about fifteen minutes later Darya wandered out of his suite. Her face was void of makeup—a practice that had taken him about five mornings to convince her he absolutely loved—and she’d thrown on a loose pair of ice-blue cotton pajama bottoms and a white tank. Dangling dead center between her breasts were his tags, right out where God and everyone could see.

Fuck yeah, he was gonna catch all kinds of shit the second his brothers got him alone. Probably three times what Sylvie and Ninette had dished out, but damned if he cared. They looked perfect right where they were. Not to mention, they’d serve as a hell of a reminder if she caught some wild idea about running.

The second she got within grabbing distance he pulled her between his thighs and hugged her close. “I take it we were too loud?” he murmured in her ear.

“My thoughts were louder.” She anchored the heels of her palms on his shoulder and leveraged herself enough away she could see his face. “Plus, the food smelled really good, so I gave in.”

“Knox, let go of the lass and let her eat.” Sylvie slid a fully loaded plate next to the one she’d built for Knox along with a napkin rolled around a full set of silverware. “Hop up and let her have your place. You men can eat your food and do your business at the same time.”