Page 24 of My Reluctant Valentine

"Yeah." He pulls me back against his chest."Says a little sister would be nice.Even offered to share her room."

"Did she now?" I try to sound casual, but my pulse races.We've been dancing around this conversation for weeks."And what did you tell her?"

"Told her she'd have to ask her mama." His lips brush my ear."So? What do you say, Mrs. Hunter?Ready to give our girl a sister?"

The title still gives me butterflies.Six months of marriage, and I'm not used to it yet.Don't know if I ever will be.

"Could be a brother," I point out, turning in his arms.

His grin is wicked. "Only one way to find out."

"Ewww!" A chorus of disgusted voices reminds us we have an audience.I jump back, cheeks flaming, as my students dissolve into giggles.

"And that's our cue to leave." Ace grabs my bag, completely unrepentant as I turn to Jana to thank her once more forcovering the rest of my shift."Come on, darlin'. Got a party to get to."

The ride to the clubhouse is familiar now.I no longer hesitate before wrapping my arms around his waist, and no longer tense when we pass the spot where we confronted Ian.Those ghosts are long laid to rest.

The parking lot is already full when we arrive.Bikes line one side, and minivans the other.

"Mom! Daddy!" Emma launches herself at us the moment we walk in.At seven, she's grown so much and filled with wild energy."Uncle Tank says I can't help in the kitchen anymore."

"That's because you're as much of a menace as your father," Tank calls from behind the bar."Nearly burned down my kitchen last week."

"Did not!" Emma protests. "I was making chemistry!"

"Pretty sure chemistry doesn't involve putting metal in the microwave, princess." Ace drops a kiss on her head."Why don't you show Mom the decorations you and Maria put up with Reaper earlier?"

Emma brightens, grabbing my hand."Come see! We made paper chains and everything!"

The main room has been transformed.Red and pink streamers hang from the ceiling, paper hearts cover the walls, and yes, what looks like miles of paper chains drape every available surface.It's simultaneously the sweetest and most ridiculous thing I've ever seen in an MC clubhouse.

"Beautiful job, baby." I smooth her hair, noticing glitter stuck to her cheek.Some things definitely run in families.

"Leslie!" Maria emerges from the kitchen, flour dusting her dark curls."Thank God. Maybe you can talk some sense into your husband about the entertainment?"

I raise an eyebrow at Ace. "What did you do?"

"Nothing!" He holds up his hands."Just suggested that since the kids will be in the back room watching movies, the adults might enjoy some... alternative entertainment."

"He wants strippers," Maria clarifies.

"Traditional Valentine's entertainment," Ace argues.

"Absolutely not." Maria and I say in unison.

"Told you," Tank laughs. "They've been arguing about it for an hour."

"No strippers," I tell my pouting husband."But if you behave, I might have a private show planned for later."

His eyes darken. "Yeah?"

"Not in front of the kid!" Tank covers Emma's ears, making her giggle and squirm away.

"Speaking of kids." Maria's eyes narrow on my untouched wine glass."Something you want to share with the class?"

Heat floods my cheeks. "Not yet.But maybe soon."

Her squeal draws every eye in the place."I knew it! Tank, you owe me fifty bucks!"

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