Colters' Wife (Colters' Legacy #1.5)(5)

Ryan chuckled and turned her around in his arms. “Cut him some slack. You know how he is when he gets an idea in his head.”

“It’s a stupid idea.”

Ryan pulled her against him and rested his chin on her head. “He’s not easy. He’s never been easy. But this is as hard on him as it is on you. He’s like a bear with a thorn in his paw.”

Holly pulled away and stared up at Ryan. “But he doesn’t have to be! That’s what irritates me to no end. He’s being all self-sacrificing and for what? He’s not happy, I’m not happy.”

“Would a foot rub make you happy?”

She stopped her rant. “Foot rub?”

He grinned. “If you come in the living room, I’ll give you the best foot massage you’ve ever had.”

She grabbed his hand and tugged him across the kitchen. He followed along, laughing.

Chapter Three

He was being the worst sort of ass. Adam stood in the doorway of the living room staring at the rest of his family. A family that, for the most part, he’d avoided for the last three days.

Holly lay on the couch, her head in Ethan’s lap and her legs stretched across Ryan. Ethan idly stroked his fingers through her hair as he watched the movie playing on the television. Ryan was rubbing Holly’s feet, and she was sound asleep.

He missed touching her, feeling her in his arms. Whenever he was around her, his need was a tangible ache. He wanted to take her to bed and f**k her in a dozen different ways. And therein lay the problem.

Ethan looked up at him then, raising his eyebrow in silent question. Despite his urge to turn around and walk away from the tender scene in front of him, he felt compelled to walk over.

He hadn’t intended to hurt her. God knew he’d do anything not to hurt her, but his avoidance of her had done just that.

“Can you get up without waking her?” Adam whispered to Ethan.

Ethan smiled. “Right now a herd of elephants could run through and she wouldn’t stir.”

“I’d like some time alone with her,” Adam said hesitantly.

The three didn’t often make demands of her time. Part of making the relationship work was not harboring jealousy or making her choose between them. But every once in a while, they did need time alone with her. It was a need they each recognized and respected.

“Sure,” Ethan said softly. He gently extricated himself from the couch, easing her head off his lap and onto the cushion. Ryan followed suit, and they both left the room.

Adam stared down at her for a long moment before finally sliding onto the couch next to her. When he lifted her head, she stirred and snuggled closer to him.

He ran his hand down the length of her body, enjoying the feel of her softness, her curves, the swollen mound of her belly. He couldn’t wait to meet their child. At long last their family would be complete.

She stirred against him, and her eyes fluttered open. She blinked then smiled, her eyes going soft with love. That look never ceased to knock the breath right out of him. Her love was the greatest gift he’d ever received, and it wasn’t one he had any intention of f**king up.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered.

He bent and kissed her forehead as his fingers trailed over her cheek. “I was an ass. I’m sorry.”

She raised her head so that her lips met his. “I love you. You’re not an ass.”

“Could we go to bed? Just you and I tonight? I want to hold you and our baby,” he said.

Her eyes glowed and she nodded. “I’d like that.”

He helped her sit up, and she threw her legs over the couch as he stood up. He reached down to pull her up beside him then he scooped her into his arms and headed for the bedroom.

Her hands curled trustingly around his neck. The baby kicked and rolled against his chest, and his grip tightened around her as a surge of emotion swept through him.

Careful not to jostle her, he set her down on the bed. He reached for the covers and pulled them down, working them around her body. When he was finished, he crawled in beside her and pulled the comforter back over them.

He held her close to him, enjoying the feel of her soft skin against his.

“I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings, baby,” he murmured. “I don’t want you to think the wrong thing about why I wouldn’t make love to you.”

She grimaced and then her lips turned up into a rueful smile.

“You’re way too overprotective, but I love you dearly,” she said. “And I understand why. I don’t agree, but I’m not taking it personally.”

“Good. Because, baby, if I wanted you any more, I’d spontaneously combust. But if I hurt you… I’d never forgive myself.”

She smoothed her hand across his cheek and cupped his jaw in her palm. “Stop torturing yourself. Just hold me. I need you so much.”

His heart turned over, and he felt such a strong rush of love at her words. “I need you too. You’ll never know just how much. I’d do anything for you. I hope you know that.”

She rose up to kiss him. “If I promise not to try and rape you anymore, would you stop avoiding me?”

He burst out laughing. He held her close, his chest shaking them both as he chuckled. “I’ll make you a deal. Just as soon as you have our baby and have sufficient time to heal, I’ll let you rape me all you want.”