Page 29 of Cookies and Control

I nod.

He’s frozen in place. “I’m so fucking happy. Is it mine?”

Rocky says, “Only because you wouldn’t let me make love to her the night of the auction.”

Grandma’s voice interrupts as she approaches. “I thought those were your cars. Is this the place where Betsy’s going to serve coffee naked? She should at least go to the tanning salon if she insists on doing that.”

For the first time, the tacky comment doesn’t get under my skin. I know who I am. And I’m ready to spread my wings.

Bull steps to the side, wrapping an arm around me. Rocky does the same from the other side.

When Grandma gets to the window, Bull says, “No, Mom. I can’t think of any reason she’d have to get naked in here.” He angles his head at me and winks. “But this is the place where we announce our excit—”

I jab Bull hard in the ribs. He coughs and doubles over. What was he thinking?

I’m so shocked, I don’t know what else we could announce. I’m not good at scrambling. “We announce that you can join us for hot cocoa at the house. We’re picking up some toppings…”

“And cream.” Rocky swats my butt.

I squeeze my slick legs together.

Grandma’s eyes flutter closed and she takes a deep breath. “I think I’m going to pass. I’ve had enough surprises today.”

She retreats to her car, Bull pulls me close, and Rocky sandwiches me from behind. Bull kisses me tenderly and slips a hand between us to rub my belly. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I hope you keep surprising me. I have a lot to learn from you.”

“We both do,” Rocky says, and we stand there, hugging, trusting, loving. The simplest version of my dreams, and far more fulfilling than I ever imagined.

Epilogue

Betsy

I pour tiny marshmallows and a few different sprinkle toppings into little bowls with serving spoons and add them to the tray with the mugs of cocoa, a plate of cookies, and spray cream.

The small serving utensils remind me that we’ll be stocking small baby items in the cabinets soon. Surprise pregnancies are scary for a lot of women, but the peace this baby brought to the three of us, gives me certainty that we’ll be fine.

And I have my girlfriends to fall back on for support. The auction might be magical after all.

“Need help with the cocoa?” Rocky calls from the living room.

“On my way.” I grab the tray but stop in my tracks as I take in the beautiful setting they’ve created.

The fireplace crackles and pops, casting a cozy glow across the room. They’ve spread plush blankets across the floor and added what looks like every pillow from upstairs.

The Christmas tree towers over the scene, white lights twinkling through the branches—the only other source of light since they turned off the overhead lights. The silver-and-gold-themed ornaments catch and reflect the firelight.

“This is perfect,” I whisper, allowing Rocky to take the cocoa tray.

Bull wraps his arms around my waist from behind, his hands holding mine protectively over my stomach. His chest rumbles against my back as he speaks. “You’ve always had a knack for making things special. It’s time we return the favor.”

I lean into him, soaking in his warmth. “Thank you.”

“And we’re just getting started.” Rocky steps in front of me, and gathers my pajama top. We cleaned up and put comfy clothes on when we got home from the coffee kiosk. “We should have told you not to bother with clothes.”

While he strips my top, Bulls removes my pajama shorts. The way they look at me makes my skin tingle.

“Turn,” Bull commands, his voice husky.

I rotate slowly, heat rising from one set of cheeks to the other as they drink in every curve, every inch of exposed skin.

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