Page 31 of With You

“Just ogling your brother,” I say truthfully.

“It’s the kids, isn’t it?” she says. “When Hayden is in dad mode, I just wanna fuck his brains out.”

I laugh at her candidness, chuckling a little bit harder, because she’s right, it’s the kids. But it’s also that only a few hours ago, I was sliding a two-inch-long, black, silicone butt plug into Deacon’s tight ass, because that’s exactly what I wanted to do: Fuck his brains out.

Steering my thoughts away from anything that’ll encourage an erection in public, I focus on Deacon and the way he’s holding Reese’s hand. With his other arm protectively slung across Rowan’s shoulders, he looks so relaxed and content, laughing and talking to our friends, with our kids by his side.

I thought the pride I felt ten years ago at finally being married to the love of my life would be unrivaled, but watching him parent and love our children so effortlessly outweighed it every time.

I watch as Deacon casually peruses the yard, subtly trying to look for me while staying engaged in the conversation. I wait for his gaze to land on mine, and when it does, the sexiest smile spreads across his face.

He’s nearing forty-five years old, and looking at him still makes my heart stutter and my body light up like a live wire. He has a smattering of gray on his temples and in his beard, makinghim look both distinguished and sexy. And laugh lines at the corners of his eyes and mouth that I enjoyed putting there.

Tipping his chin up at me, he gestures for me to join him.

“Come on,” I say, grabbing Victoria’s elbow and bringing her with me. “Your brother’s wish is my command.”

“Twenty-year-old me would’ve said you two are so gross,” Victoria says as we walk. “But almost-fifty-year-old me is so unbelievably proud of you both.”

“Does drinking still make you emotional?” I tease.

“Shut up,” she says, nudging my shoulder. “I was trying to be nice.”

“I know,” I assure her. “I’m proud of us too.”

We head over to Deacon, who shifts over just enough for me to slide in between him and Reese, while Victoria has other ideas. I watch her whisper in Hayden’s ear, and I catch the smirk on Hayden’s face that follows.

Giving me a wink, she hightails it out of there and into the house, with her husband hot on her heels.

“I don’t even want to know what that was about,” Deacon murmurs against the shell of my ear.

A chuckle rumbles in my chest as I take a good look around at the people who showed up for us a second time.

We’re standing between a large group of our friends, those we’ve spent the last ten years or more living and loving with. Finding their own way and growing their own families, it’s a testament to the strength and importance of found family.

Those people in your life who stayed for the long haul, swam with you and beside you through the surf and through the still.

“Julian,” Wade greets. “Just the man I’ve been looking for. I’m kinda bummed you didn’t want me to revive my time as a wedding officiant for the night.”

“I figured you might like that it’s a little bit less stressful this time around,” I reply lightheartedly. “If I remember correctly,there was an hour of time where you had lost our wedding rings.”

“‘Lost’ is a strong word,” he says in defense. “I misplaced them. And then I found out Christie was keeping them safe, so that hardly really counts because she and I are basically the same person.”

“He’s right,” our friend Gael chimes in. “My parents speak to Jordan and me like we’re interchangeable and it’s a full time job keeping up.”

A subtle tugging on my arm shifts my attention away from the conversation. I glance down at Reese expectantly, certain I know what she’s about to ask before the words even leave her mouth.

“Can we have cake now?” she whispers

Slipping her hand in mine, I give it a little squeeze. “Do you think we can wait for half an hour or so?”

Biting her bottom lip, she mulls it over before nodding in defeat. “Can I at least find Emilia and show her the new art set in my room?”

I tip my head to Gael and Jordan. “If it’s okay with her dads, then it’s fine with me.”

We all watch Reese sweet talk her way with Jordan and Gael as Jesse says, “I remember when Raine was like that. It was about the age she was when she met Leo.” He glances lovingly at his husband. “And she had him wrapped around her finger from the get go. She would talk to him with her cute, sugary voice and she got whatever she wanted.”

With permission from Gael and Jordan, we all watch Reese excitedly run off to find their daughter Emilia. At the same time, Rowan uses that as his cue to walk away from us and dutifully follow his sister. He never lets her out of his sight, and for now it works in our favor.

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