Page 42 of Can't Take Moore

Dean

We had just been seated at a table for two when my cell dinged with a notification. Ignoring the sound while I kept my focus on the gorgeous woman across from me, I murmured, “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”

Her eyes twinkled as she replied, “I do believe you said something along those lines before you described in explicit detail what you were going to do with me after you stripped me out of this dress later tonight.”

“It's a hell of a dress,” I rasped, my gaze dropping to the neckline where a pendant dangled between the valley of her breasts. “But I like what's underneath it even more.”

“Too bad fondue isn't a quick meal.” She traced the tines of her fork with her fingertip. “Maybe they can give us the chocolate to go.”

My cock pressed against my zipper as I fantasized about all the things I could do with that sweet treat on her delectable body. Just as I was thinking about suggesting that we take the whole meal to go—even though the main courses wouldn't fare well—another notification came through my cell.

“I don't mind if you get that.”

“Are you sure?” I’d wanted tonight to be special, and checking my phone at the table was the opposite of that.

There was another ding as she confirmed, “Yes, please see what’s going on. It sounds as though someone really needs to get ahold of you.”

Pulling my cell out of my pocket, I glanced at the screen. There were three messages—one each from Baxter, my mom, and my dad. “Holy shit, Skylar is in labor.”

Although Vienna had spent extra time getting ready for our date, and I had promised her a romantic evening, she didn't hesitate to push away from the table, saying, “Let's go. We can meet them at the hospital.”

Dropping a couple of twenties on the table to cover the drinks we’d ordered but hadn’t had the chance to enjoy, I followed her through the restaurant. As I pulled the door open for her, I bent close and whispered, “You’re drop-dead gorgeous, but I hope you know that you’re even more beautiful on the outside.”

She paused, glancing over her shoulder at me with a soft expression. “That’s one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me.”

What I’d said had only been true…and wasn’t even that sweet. Vienna deserved a fuck of a lot more, and I was determined to be the one who gave it to her. To stand by her side like she was doing for me tonight.

As I drove to the hospital, my nerves started to get the better of me. “I’m worried it’s too soon. Skylar isn’t due for almost two more weeks.”

“Everything will be fine.” She reached over and patted my thigh. When she started to pull back, I dropped my hand over hers and pressed her palm against my leg. “Babies don’t always come on schedule, and she’s far enough along that the baby won’t even count as a preemie.”

When we arrived at the hospital and found my family in the waiting room, my mom told me the same thing after spotting my worried expression. Then I took Vienna around the room and introduced her to everyone she hadn’t met yet. My aunts oohed and aahed over her, giving their sons sideways glances as they muttered about how they’d given up hope of their boys ever bringing home a girl of their own.

Rigden flashed me a wicked grin and suggested, “Maybe I should just steal Dean’s. What do you say, Vienna? Want to trade up?”

I elbowed him in the side and slid my arm around her shoulders. “Ignore him. He’s the most irritating of the bunch.”

Rigden laughed. “You only think so because we’re so close in age.”

“I thought I was the most irritating?” Wyatt asked.

I rolled my eyes. “Of my brothers? Absolutely.”

“Not for lack of trying on my part,” Jude quipped.

“Why don’t we sit over there while we wait?” I pointed at the row of chairs on the opposite side of the waiting room near the door. Vienna giggled as I led her over to them.

Everyone left us alone, except for Ryland who came over briefly to ask if Vienna had heard anything else from her mom. When she confirmed that he hadn’t, he went back over to his brothers.

“This isn't how I pictured our romantic night.” I scrubbed my palms down my face. We’d been waiting for several hours already, and I was tired as fuck. And a little hungry, even though Vienna had run down to the cafeteria right before they closed and bought a bunch of sandwiches and slices of pizza for everyone. “I’m sorry you’ve been stuck here with me all night. Are you sure you don’t want me to run you home? You’d be a lot more comfortable in your own bed.”

Looking more awake than I felt, she bounced on her seat. “Are you kidding me? This is the most excitement I’ve ever had on a date.”

“Really?” I stroked my thumb against her palm. “Sounds as though I’m going to need to up my game when it comes to you.”

I heard a semi-familiar deep voice that shouldn't be anywhere near Mooreville, let alone the hospital while Skylar was in labor. Running my hand through my hair, I growled, “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

Vienna lifted her head from my shoulder to peer at my face. “What’s wrong?”

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