And his smile? He and his brother look like me. The only reason I’m able to tell them apart is because Adrian expresses everything he feels on his face. Like now, because he’s happy, there’s a grin on his face that matches the light in his eyes. As for Asher, he is the menace of the two, and so he keeps his cards close to his chest. He smiles when it’s convenient for him, and he hides his emotions when he’s suspicious of something.

Aside from that, the same birthmark I have on the back of my neck is the same birthmark on the back of Adrian’s neck. That makes it easier to tell who’s who.

“You ready to try the pool, Adrian?”

I want him to call me Dad.

I know Winter said I’m not their father, but the truth is in their looks, and they are mine. I’ll let my mate believe I’m buying her story of me not being their father for the meantime, even though it tastes like sour limes in my mouth.

Adrian nods. “Mommy says Ash and I can play in the pool with you if we don’t cause any trouble.”

That sounds like something Winter would say.

“We don’t want to upset Mommy, do we?”

Adrian’s head droops as he stares at his little toes wiggling against the floor, “I don’t want Mommy to cry anymore.”

Me too, buddy, and now that I'm here, I don’t want to see any of you suffering.

“I’m here now, Adrian, and I’ll make sure Mommy never cries.”

His eyes gleam with unshed tears, and he looks at me with the whole world under his feet and asks, “Promise?”

“I promise.”

I’m about to ask Adrian more about his Mommy and everything I need to know when Winter walks down the hall in a skimpy bikini that has my mouth watering and my anger nearly cooling off.

Clutching her hand is Ash, who’s jumping up and down excitedly.

I stand up, meeting her halfway and tracing every curve on her with my eyes, starting with the swell of her hips, the way her tits look good in the matching bra she’s got on, the little belly fat on her, and the way her silky hair drops on her shoulders.

I would have given everything to see her tummy full with my kids.

My wolf snarls from within me, agreeing with my statement, and also frustrated by the invisible walls between me, Winter, and now, my kids too.

“Whoa, the pool is big,” Ash gasps, and I chuckle. “Mommy, I’m ready! I’m ready! I want to swim with Uncle Deacon now.”

Winter’s eyes flick to me for less than a second before they turn to Ash, and I’m already missing her eyes.

“Remember what I said, baby?”

“We have to listen to Uncle Deacon when we get into the pool, Mommy,” Adrian supplements.

“If we don’t listen to Uncle Deacon, there’s no pool time again for us,” Ash adds.

Adoration and jealousy leach into my body.

Will they ever look at me the way they look at Winter? Like she is their rock? Like she’s their entire world?

Milking the opportunity to have quality time with all of them, I breach the distance between me and Winter, my lips an inch away from touching hers, my forehead a hair’s breadth away from hers.

“Join us in the pool. Ash and Adrian would be more comfortable if you were in there with us.”

Winter’s scrutinizing eyes narrow in slits, the word “no” burning the tip of her tongue.

“Deacon—.”

“Mommy? Say yes! We can all swim together!” Adrian claps.