Page 70 of Restrictions

My head tilts back, leaning against the chair, and I feel her lips press against my throat, sending a mixture of nausea and arousal through me.

“One like none other. I get chills when I think about what you’ll do to me. If you’ll sneak into my room or if I’ll sneak into yours, knowing that no one would like what we’re doing.”

I feel her hands slide under my jacket and shirt, caressing my stomach, and I fight the insecurities built into me.

Is it like none other to her or she still chasing the original?

“Mommy?”

Shit!Viv jumps off me, and I turn to see a sleepy Baz rubbing his eyes in his Spiderman pajamas, looking at us with curiosity. “Sebastian, what are you doing out of bed?”

Okay, could have been a lot worse. And he’s only three. Chances are his first memory won’t be his mom straddling his uncle.

“Why were you on Uncle Asher’s lap?” I look over at my nephew.Christ this is fucked-up even for the Sterlings.

“Hey, buddy. It’s cold out. We were just keeping warm.”

Viv looks at me, her right eyebrow raised, and I look at her, gesturing for her to go with it because what the fuck else are we going to say? Baz scratches his little head, clearly still half-asleep and playing to our favor for the bad fucking coverup.

Viv clears her throat. “It’s cold out. Too cold for little guys in their pjs.”

She ushers him back inside, tossing a look at me with a smile and head shake before I lay my head back, looking up at the stars and wondering in a weak moment if Colt is watching.

Knowing if he is, he has to be pissed because this is not how he would handle any of it.

Not the nearly perfect Colt Sterling.

31

VIVIENNE

“Wow, he’s really lucky, I like him.” Asher stares into the mirror in the foyer, dressed from head to toe in silver with what looks like a funnel on his head and silver face paint. Even as the Tin Man, he’s hot as hell.

He let me paint his pouty lips bright red and he looks movie-ready as Baz runs up behind us, roaring loudly in his little lion costume.

“Roar!” Baz wraps around the tin colored pants Asher is wearing that make a swishing sound with contact.

“Hey.” Asher leans down. “Mr. Lion, have you seen my nephew? He’s pretty cute, brown hair, little nose.”

Baz places one hand on his little hip. “I do not have a little nose!”

Asher places a hand over his chest, feigning shock and making my heart flutter. “Baz? Is that you? Wow! You had me totally fooled!”

Now my son lights up and starts to giggle. “You silly.”

Asher laughs and stands up. When the doorbell rings, Asher goes to get it as I look in the mirror at my ridiculous costume. A blue dress that goes above the knees, matching blue socks with red slippers and my hair in braided pigtails. I feel silly, but Baz is happy, and that makes me happy.

“Swearer!” Baz jolts over to the door, jumping into Sawyer’s arms as he laughs happily. “I mean, Scarecrow!”

Sawyer gives him a hug and closes the door as he stands up, still holding the little lion in his arms.

That’s right, my son has an uncanny ability to charm his way into getting whatever he wants, and he needed a scarecrow.

“Yeah, that’s me.” I can’t help but laugh when I see the insanely handsome Sawyer dressed in a green puffy shirt, brown pants, and boots with a goofy hat and what looks like real straw peeking out from the hat and his pockets. Sawyer looks over at me, his eyes scanning my entire costume. “Please tell me there’s booze at this party.”

I laugh and shake my head. “It’s for ages three to six.”

“That sucks.” He looks at Baz. “You’re lucky you’re cute. No chick wants to get with a scarecrow.” He looks over at Asher. “Could be worse though.”

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