Page 63 of Soaring and Saucy

“Time’s up, fellas,” Lance barked out loudly. “Take the pizza and Cokes. I’ll bring donuts in the morning, whatever, but everyone out.”

“What the…”

“Y’all just said…”

“I’m not ready to go back to the ship. Tic-Tak snores bad.”

“And Ohio farts – cry me a river,” Lance blurted out uncaringly, causing the man’s face to turn bright red as he shrugged in a very noncommittal way.

“Fellas… we’ve got ladies present, remember?” Memphis nodded, chuckling with his wife… and Stephanie just stared in disbelief of the riot of bodily functions that was being discussed baldly.

“Who’s gonna make me…” Moonbeam said, leaning back in the chair. “I’m comfy, and Mrs. Trophy wouldn’t kick us out, would she? What if she wants a few of us strong, handsome guys to stay.”

“You don’t have to deal with her,” Lance snarled protectively, grabbing Moonbeam by the front of his T-shirt, causing the other man to laugh.

“You think I’m scared of you? Please, Trophy, come off the ‘saintly’ thing. We’ve partied before in the past and…”

“Those days are over,” her husband growled out.

Stephanie lifted an eyebrow silently as a few eyes quickly landed on her at this comment. Oh, she knew her husband wasn’t a saint and never bothered to hide who he was from her. No, it had taken a playboy attitude that was reckless enough to talk to the quiet girl in the room, a bold man to agree to her rules, and a loyal one to put her first in his life, his world.

“She knows my past – all of me. I’m not scared of what you’d say, but rather, I’m warning you.”

“Of what?”

“The five-foot-something woman with a vicious tongue eats her steak a little too bloody even for my tastes, has an unhealthy fascination for blue cheese dressing right now…”

“Ew? Really?” Madeline commented beside her, flinching at the thought as Lance continued on, dragging Moonbeam toward the door as the guys laughed at the two of them.

“Lance?” Stephanie said simply, getting to her feet. She didn’t want anyone to start fighting when it had been the most beautiful day. This was her first day in her new home with her husband and meeting their friends. She turned and shared a knowing look with Madeline, who smiled and nodded.

“Memphis, I want to go home,” Madeline said openly, and the other man was out of his seat in a heartbeat.

“Princess, whatcha need? I’m kinda busy with someone who doesn’t know when to hush,” her husband began, not looking in her direction. Stephanie walked over and looked at Moonbeam and pointed, before drawing a finger down Lance’s spine, causing him to shiver in delight as he let go of his friend in an instant, looking over his shoulder with a dazed look.

“All of you out,” Stephanie said softly, not looking away from her husband and treasuring the smile that appeared on his face. “We’ll get together soon and cook out or something.”

“Yup,” Lance agreed hoarsely, not looking away from her. “Y’all should go.”

As they filed out of the apartment, she heard their comments to her husband and couldn’t help the smile on her face. Yeah, they all knew what was happening, and there wasn’t any reason to hide things. They were married, she was pregnant, and they were home. The moment the door closed, he chuckled.

“How come that worked for you and not for me?”

“Because they don’t know me.”

“If they did, they would be trying to take you from me…”

“Never,” she whispered. “Why would I ever look anywhere else when I have my soulmate at my side?”

“Darn straight,” he breathed gruffly, drawing her close to him. “Can you do that thing where you run your finger down my spine again? That tickles in the best way…”

“Maybe we should head to the bedroom?”

“Have I mentioned that I love you?” he laughed in delight as she hooked a finger in this belt loop, tugging him with her down the hallway. “I swear, you couldn’t be more perfect for me. Do you know that, Stephanie? I think I’ve always been searching for you, all this time, and I’m never letting you go, princess.”

“You mentioned that you love me,” she whispered huskily, smiling at him, and nodded. “Time to show me… husband.”

“Anything you say, wife.”

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