Page 20 of Summer With You

7

Living on Lake Time

Celine

The next morning, I woke up tangled in Ace’s tattooed arms, his warmth radiating through me. He pulled me tightly against his bare chest, skin on skin. A shiver raced down my spine at the feeling of his hard body pressed against my softer one.

“Go back to sleep,” he grumbled when I shifted, trying to sneak out of his embrace.

“Can’t, the baby is hungry.” I laughed, turning his arms to kiss his cheek, his beard tickling my face.

“Just a few more minutes,” he mumbled. “We never get to do this anymore.” He buried his head against my shoulder, gently kissing the curve of my neck.

“What if the kids come in?” I arched my neck to give him more access, loving the feel of his soft lips.

“Then I’ll kick them out.” He laughed just as there was a knock on our door. “Mom and Dad are sleeping!” he yelled with a chuckle.

“Right, like you’ve been sleeping all night, asshat,” Ryan shouted back through the door.

“We’re coming,” I hollered, pulling out of Ace’s arms and heading into the bathroom for a quick shower to start my day.

“Wait for me, Princess.” Ace entered the bathroom with a cocky grin. “You know there’s never enough hot water here.” He smirked, coming over and kissing me on the cheek. I blushed under his heated gaze but nodded in agreement.

“Better tell the kids to have quick showers then, because the baby and I hate sharing.” He grabbed me around the waist and spun me around, so I was gazing into his intense, blue eyes.

“Well, this baby needs to learn that I like showering with my hot wife.” He pecked my lips, even though he knew I hated morning breath, and walked past me to hop into my hot shower.

Twenty minutes later, I stood in front of the floor-length mirror with my hair wrapped in a towel on my head while I applied my makeup.

Ace walked out of the bathroom in a new pair of shorts and a t-shirt, ruffling his wet hair with his towel. “Do you really need makeup, baby? We’re going out on the water anyway.” He stood behind me, wrapping his arms around my belly, nuzzling my neck.

“Can I ask you something?” He nodded, peppering kisses to my neck. “What are five things you love about me?”

He pulled away and looked at me through the mirror. I stopped putting my foundation on to watch his reaction.

“Only five things?” I nodded, my eyebrows pulling together as to why he asked that. He frowned at me. “But there’s so many, Princess.”

Oh, dear God, my heart. “Just answer the question, Ace.”

“Your eyes, your always kissable lips, how you take care of our children, the way you love me, your big heart, and your smokin’ hot body.” He ran his hands down my sides, over my hips, and back up, turning me around in his arms so our chests were brushing. “Why the sudden question?”

I shrugged. I didn’t have a good reason. “Just curious.”

“No ulterior motive?” He cracked a teasing grin.

“No, Asshole.” The old nickname felt foreign on my lips, yet completely right. “Alright, here’s another one—five things I love.” It felt good to play the slight childish game with him. We rarely ever found time to be this carefree and young together anymore.

“Now, that’s easy. You should have started with that one. Me, our kids, Ryan and Amber, and bubble baths with champagne.”

“Damn, you’re better at this than I thought.”

“You can’t stump me. I know everything about you. It’s almost like I’ve known you for twelve years,” he teased. I smacked his shoulder, making him laugh. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.

“Five things I look good in?” I turned to finish applying my foundation as he took a seat on the bed to watch me.

“Jeans, leggings, underwear, anything blue, swimsuits, but most importantly, absolutely nothing at all.” My cheeks flamed.

“Ace!” He laughed, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. I moved on to brushing a light pink blush on my cheeks, trying to cover up my own natural blush. “Five things I say a lot?” I asked him.

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