Page 130 of Love Me Fierce

“Maverick.”

She covers her laugh. “The pilot?”

“Yep. I hear girls really dig a man in a flight suit.”

She smirks. “I think I might like you as a cowboy just as much.”

“Cowboy, huh?” I caress her bare thigh, rumpling the hem of her nightgown. If I wasn’t worried about waking the boys, this little tussle would end with her on her knees, begging for my cock. Or maybe I’d be the one begging. Or maybe we’d take turns. Because since I brought her home, we can’t seem to get enough of each other.

“Maybe I’ll give you a private costume show later,” I say.

She laughs and I kiss her again. The warmth from her lips and the glide of her fingers weaving through my hair sends a zip of heat down my spine.

“What are you dressing up as?” I ask her.

“A mama stegosaurus.”

I laugh so hard that I shake the mattress. “This Ihave tosee.”

“Maybe I’ll giveyoua private showing later.”

“Mmm, I like that idea.”

After breakfast,I cover the kitchen table with newspaper while Logan and Mateo bring in the pumpkins we picked up yesterday at the farm.

When we get to carving, there’s laughter and too many conversations to track. Logan and Mateo discuss their Halloween costumes while I take every opportunity to be close to Vivian. To secretly reach for her hand, to find ways to make her smile, and when I can get away with it, to kiss her.

I help Mateo cutting the lid off of his pumpkin, and Vivian helps Logan with designing the eyes on his. I get pumpkin guts in my hair and Vivian gets some on her nose. Though we’ve all rolled up our sleeves, by the time we have four jack o’ lanterns carved, we’re a mess and the kitchen is too.

“Should we do a test run?” I grab the package of tea light candles Logan reminded me to buy yesterday.

We carry our jack o’ lanterns to the front porch. Mateo and Logan’s fit better side by side, with Vivian’s and mine flanking them. It’s broad daylight, but with the lights from inside and on the porch turned off, we’ll get enough of a preview.

When I take Vivian’s pumpkin so she doesn’t have to squat down in her boot, our hands brush, and I can’t help but sneak a kiss to her temple. She smells like pumpkin and happiness.

Once all four candles are lit, I stuff the lighter into my back pocket and take her hand.

“Wow!” Mateo gasps as we step out of the way.

We join the kids standing on the path to admire our handiwork.

“Not bad,” I say, sliding my arm across Vivian’s shoulder.

She glances up at me, a soft smile tugging at her perfect lips. “Not bad at all.”

Because Loganand I have a few surprises for Mateo and Vivian, and Vivian wants to surprise Logan with a cake, we’re apart for a couple of hours. By the time we get to Linden’s, most of my family is already here.

Linden’s getting a bonfire going down on the beach, with log sections for seats and blankets for later. Everyone else is mingling on the deck, the party already in full swing. Two picnic tables are decorated with bright paper tablecloths that say “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” and matching paper plates. Balloons are tied to the table ends, blue and white crepe paper drapes from the eaves.

In the center of one of the tables is a giant cake decorated with light blue frosting and pretty white piping., with “Happy Birthday Logan” in big, loopy cursive along with miniature frosting footballs. If I didn’t know Vivian spent the last few hours making it, I would think it came from some fancy bakery.

“Dad,” Logan says, softly, his cheeks flushing as he takes it all in.

I grip his shoulder as my emotions jam into my throat. “Yeah, bud.”

“Vivian did this… for me?”

“Be sure to tell her you like it,” I manage.

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