Forged in Steele (KGI #7)(86)

“You got it,” Donovan said. “And Sam and Garrett and I will be more than happy to take a shift as well. Things are quiet now, but we all know that could change on a dime. But if we aren’t taking an assignment, we’re all yours.”

Steele extended his hand, shaking each of the Kelly brothers’ hands in turn. “Maren and I both appreciate this.”

“Anytime. You’re family, Steele, even if your hard ass refuses to acknowledge that. You rode P.J. for not falling back on her family and her team. Just make damn sure you don’t make the same mistake,” Garrett said sternly.

Steele smiled. “Yeah, I hear you. You’ve just been waiting to be able to get in my face about it, haven’t you?”

Sam grinned. “Maybe. I’m definitely not one to let an opportunity to give you shit go by.”

“She’s a terrific woman, Steele. You’re a lucky bastard,” Garrett said. “Not as lucky as I am, but you did good.”

Steele rolled his eyes. “We’re not going to have a pissing match over who got the better woman. Our women are unmatched and that’s a fact.”

“Jesus, but y’all are nauseating me,” Donovan grumbled. “I’m going to walk away now before you start talking about baby booties and knitting and shit.”

Steele laughed. “Maren did say she could totally see me taking up knitting in a rocking chair on my front porch.”

“*,” Garrett muttered.

“You have no room to talk, Mr. I-can’t-say-f*ck-around-my-wife-anymore,” Donovan said.

Garrett winced. “Yeah, yeah. Fuck you and the horse you rode in on.”

“The rapid manner in which this entire damn organization is becoming domesticated makes me want to move far, far away,” Donovan said.

“Your time is coming. Mark my words,” Sam said, pointing his finger at Donovan. “And when it does? We’re all going to ride you like a mule. You’ll never live it down. I can guaran-damn-tee that much.”

Donovan rolled his eyes and sauntered away, immediately swinging Charlotte into his arms amid screams of “Spin me around, Uncle Van!”

CHAPTER 32

“TIRED?” Steele asked when he returned from the kitchen, where he’d put away the groceries they’d bought on the way back from the Kelly compound. The bags containing the clothing they’d purchased had been dumped onto Steele’s bed and then Maren had promptly flopped onto the couch, head back, all but wilting into the cushions.

“Yeah,” she said, not opening her eyes.

“Too much today?”

She opened her eyes and stared back at him from underneath her lashes. “No, it was fun. I needed it. I’ve been cut off from everyone for so long. In my worst hours, I feared never seeing any of those people again.”

Steele sat on the end of the couch and motioned for her to come to him. He turned sideways and pulled her between his thighs and began rubbing her shoulders, smoothing those big, strong hands over the muscles. She sighed and closed her eyes, leaning further into his embrace.

“What about you?” she asked drowsily. “Today couldn’t have been fun for you. You were front and center and I know you had to hate that.”

He made a sound that seemed a cross between amusement and resignation. “Yeah. I won’t lie and say it was fun. But it wasn’t bad. Love is new to me, Maren. It changes things, you know? I’ve always been content to sit back and let others take the spotlight. I do what has to be done and get the job done and let others deal with the details.”

“Yeah, I know,” Maren said softly.

“But today was . . . different. Good different. I didn’t mind being in the spotlight because you were there with me and I didn’t give a damn who knew it. You’re mine and I was proud to let them know that. You and my baby. I wanted them to look at me and think of what a lucky bastard I am.”

She turned in his arms, staring up at him, at the sincerity in his eyes, and her heart completely melted.

“You know, if I weren’t already pretty darn sure I was in love with you, that would have done it right there.”

He smiled and leaned in to kiss her. “Why don’t you call your folks first thing in the morning and tell them they can come out as soon as they can arrange it. I talked to Sam and he’ll have one of the Kelly jets go get them. I told him I would pick them up at Henry County and they can stay a few days here so you can spend some time with them.”

“Damn, I love you more with every passing minute,” she murmured against his lips.

She kissed him again, long, slow, unhurried. Just reveling in the sensation of something new and shiny and oh so very precious.

“You’re a wonderful man, Steele. And behind that tough-as-nails exterior lies a heart of gold.”

“Yeah, well, don’t feel the need to tell everybody that,” he said gruffly. “You’re the only one who needs to know that kind of information.”

She grinned. “Don’t worry. If anyone asks, I’ll tell them you’re a controlling ass**le with OCD issues.”

“And here I was contemplating letting you take me to bed and have your wicked way with me. But if I’m a control freak, maybe I should reconsider that option and start ordering you around.”

She thumped him on the chest. “We’ve already been over that, buster. Not going to happen in this lifetime.”