Juniper Hill (The Edens #2)(48)

Drake would have a happy life. She’d make sure of it.

And after last night, I would too.

There was no going backward now. Not after last night.

She’d given me her best days. I’d give her mine.

Both of them.

I unglued my feet and padded into the living room, going to the back of the chair.

“Hi.” Memphis smiled as she looked up at me.

“Hi.” I pulled her blond hair out of her face and leaned forward, bending at the waist to kiss her. Then I stole Drake from her lap. “Morning, boss.”

He drooled and shoved a chubby fist in his mouth.

I kissed his cheek. “You’re getting big.”

Drake answered by popping that fist free and letting out a squeal that filled the house. The noise startled him, his eyes wide, and then he did it again, stretching it out louder and louder.

Memphis laughed. “This is his new party trick.”

“I like it.” I settled him against my ribs and carried him to the kitchen, opening the refrigerator door.

Memphis followed, taking a seat on a stool at the island.

“When does he start getting solid foods?” I pulled out a carton of eggs.

“When he’s six months.”

“Couple more to go. Then I’ll hook you up, little man. We’re not doing boring baby food in this house.” I glanced over at Memphis. “Can babies have—what? What is that look for?”

She looked like she was about to cry. “You’re really not going anywhere, are you?”

“No.” I abandoned the fridge and walked around the island, crowding her space. “This is new. We’ll take a little time. Get used to each other. But I’m not the kind of man who gives up what’s good. And we’re good. We’re fucking good, honey.”

She nodded and smiled, wiping at her eyes. “We are good.”

I kissed her forehead, then handed her Drake. “What do you want for breakfast?”

“Whatever you’re making.”

“How hungry are you?”

She shrugged. “I’m not starving.”

“Think you can wait an hour? I can make a quiche.”

“I’ll wait.”

I winked. “Good choice.”

“Wait.” She held up a hand as I pulled out a mixing bowl. “What about work?”

“I’m not working today.”

“But . . . it’s a Saturday.”

And since the day she’d moved in, I’d worked every Saturday. “I texted Roxanne last night and asked if she could cover today.”

“You did? When?”

“After you fell asleep.” I wanted a day with them. A full day, no distractions. Just another normal day to show her how good normal could be. “Got any plans today?”

“Um . . . no. I was going to clean the loft. Do some laundry.”

“How about we hang here instead?”

The smile that stretched across her pretty mouth made the flack I’d catch from Roxanne later worth it.

Never in my life had I canceled on work to be with a woman. Roxanne had already been teasing me for ditching out on prep work to hunt Memphis down in the hotel. So last night when I’d told her I’d give her an extra vacation day over Christmas if she worked for me, she’d sent a string of heart and eye-roll emojis and a single thumbs-up.

I went to the pantry for flour and salt to make the pie crust.

Memphis put Drake on a blanket on the floor in the living room to kick and squeal. Then she sat at the island and watched me work, her attention fixed on my every move.

“Watching you cook is better than TV.”

I chuckled and put the quiche in the oven. Then I washed my hands and tossed the towel aside before I slid onto the stool beside hers, fitting her legs between my spread knees. I skimmed her thighs, looking forward to Drake’s first nap, when I could strip her out of these pajama bottoms. “Kiss me.”

She leaned in but stopped, a whisper away from my lips. “Say please.”

“What if I don’t?”

“Then I won’t kiss you.”

I grinned, dragging my mouth across hers. “Sure about that?”

“Say please.”

“Please.”

She launched herself at me, flying off her stool. Her arms wrapped around my shoulders and her tongue was in my mouth. Fuck breakfast, I didn’t need a damn thing more than this woman.

Drake gave a wail, causing Memphis and me to freeze. Then we both laughed when he kept on babbling, testing the acoustics of my house.

“I’m going to run to the loft and grab a few more diapers.” She glanced at the timer on the oven. “Maybe take a quick shower.”

“Go for it. I’ll watch Drake.”

“Are you sure? I can just take him with me.”

“Nah. He’s happy.” My hand glided over the curve of her ass. “Bring over anything you want for today. And tonight.”

Now that she’d slept in my bed, there was no way she’d be spending another night in the loft.

“Thanks.” She kissed my cheek, then hurried for the door, stepping into her shoes and pulling her cardigan tighter.

When she was at the staircase to the loft, I stretched out beside Drake on the floor, pinching his toes and tickling his tummy.