Page 133 of Reclaimed

Cortney slams a clipboard down on the makeshift exam table before whirling away. “Doesn’t matter. I just wanted you guys to know. Tell the others.”

“Cortney,” I try but she cuts me off, tears filling her eyes.

“I just can’t right now, okay? I need to do something. I need to work. I don’t even want to think about it right now I’m so mad. Sebastian is… is… He’s ajerk. A massive fucking jerk!”

I automatically reach out but let my hand fall before I make contact. “I understand. When you’re ready, we’ll be here.”

“Has anyone actually seen Spencer?” She bites out, her words louder this time.

Jack attaches a leash to a four-year-old black lab who’s about to walk out the door with his new owner. The eager dog sits patiently and wags his sweeping tail across the linoleum floor. Jack appraises his sister with a wrinkled brow. “Haven’t seen him.”

Cortney huffs. “The damn fundraiser is for him. You’d think he’d have the decency to show.”

“Sutton said he just got into town. Might not be ready to show his face yet,” Lee answers, his mouth creased as he stares as his sister like she’s lost her mind.

I ready an adoption bag and quietly hand it over to Jack.

Jack takes the handle. “It’ll be worth it whether he shows or not. We’ve pulled in a few hundred here, but last I heard from Mom, the raffle is a hit.”

The tension in our little circle reaches a level of uncomfortable I’d like to escape from. Across the room, Aiden talks with a couple of guys. He has baby John strapped to his chest, a big palm cradling the back of his head.

I lick my lips, missing the rest of the conversation around me.

Who knew dads could be so freaking hot?

As if feeling my heated stare, Aiden turns his head and catches my eye. The slow smile spreading across his face cranks my lust up a notch, and when he saunters over, my panties damn near combust.

“Hey, starshine.” He leans over and kisses me, holding John carefully between us.

“Hey, lover. How’s he doing?”

“Out like a light. He really loves to walk around in this thing. The movement puts him to sleep.”

I gently run my fingertips over his silky baby hairs. They’ve darkened some since he was born, giving him a full head of dark brown. “Are you ready to go? My shift is just about done.”

I think about what Cortney said and want to get Aiden alone to discuss.

“Ready as soon as you are.” He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. The tender touch zips beneath my navel, and my stomach clenches.

“You two can take off.” Corjan walks up, slapping a manilla folder against his hand. “We can manage the final hour.”

“You’re sure?” Aiden asks. “We don’t mind staying.”

“Yeah. Don’t worry about it. You too, Jack. I just saw Whitney in a chair nursing Soren. We’re good here.”

“I’m not going to argue. See you guys later.” With a wave, Jack disappears. We say our brief goodbyes and follow.

Once home, we fall into our easy nighttime routine. Aiden holds John so that I can change into something more comfortable, and then we switch. Aiden takes care of Remy while I nurse John before he goes down for a few hours of sleep. And once our little guy is snoozing softly in his bassinet, the two of us gravitate together for a couple hours until John wakes up hungry again.

The last two months have been hard. Not because of the newborn, though that comes with its own unique set of challenges. The hardest part has been keeping our hands off one another.

“We should go,” I whisper.

“One more minute.” Aiden links his fingers with mine, drawing my knuckles to his mouth for a tender kiss.

I sigh softly. “How is he getting so big already?”

Aiden eases me into his arms and rests his chin on the top of my head. We gaze down at our sleeping son together. “I don’t know. He needs to slow down.”

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