Page 87 of 5+Us Makes Seven

I sighed, waiting for the second one to hit my ears. And like clockwork, Michael’s cry started up just after Rachel’s. I turned off the shower and picked up my dirty clothes, resolving myself to whatever their issue was instead of scrubbing my disgusting body down.

Yes, I definitely needed a night away with Carter.

Otherwise, I didn’t think I was going to have another excuse to shower.

Twenty-eight

Carter

Natasha walked down the stairs in an elegant navy-blue dress. Her heels clicked along the marble staircase and I couldn't take my eyes off her. My mother had the kids outside running around in the backyard while the twins enjoyed the fresh air.

And I was gawking at the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

Her hair was piled high on her head and her dangling earrings accented the length of her neck. My hands were trembling as I stood there, aching to run along every curve her dress clung to. Her hips swayed and her bosom jostled. She grinned at me with those ruby red lips of hers. I held my hand out and helped her down the rest of the way, then pulled her deep into my body.

“Why, Miss Natasha, I didn’t know you’d try to tease me all night.”

“Stop it,” she said with a giggle. “You’re being insane.”

“The only insane thing here tonight is not recognizing the beauty of the woman in front of me. And by that definition, I am definitely not insane.”

The smile she flashed me warmed my heart as I took her hand within mine.

“Shall we?” I asked.

“We shall,” she said.

The two of us snuck away while the kids were preoccupied. I helped her into my car, then we set off for the restaurant. The box in my pocket was burning a hole against my thigh, and I reached out to take Natasha’s hand, so I’d stop thinking about it. I focused in on the blank spot on her ring finger. The delicate piece of skin I hoped to rest the diamond on that I had bought her.

I was more nervous than I should’ve been.

We pulled up to the restaurant and I escorted her inside. Luscious foods were steaming at the tables as the hostess escorted us up the steps and into a back room. A private room with a balcony I had rented out specifically for us. It overlooked the city from the top of the restaurant and allowed us some peace and quiet.

Something the two of us desperately needed.

“Carter. Oh my God, this was too much.”

“Nothing’s ever too much for you,” I said.

“How long do we have this room?” she asked.

“For as long as we want it.”

She placed her purse on the table and headed straight for the view. I picked up my drink from the table and carried it with me, watching as she gawked out over the horizon. I slipped my arm around her and pulled her into my chest, her head naturally falling back against my body.

I cupped the small patch of loose skin at her stomach, reveling in the strength her body had proven itself to have.

“I’m working on firming it up,” Natasha said.

“I really wish you wouldn’t.”

“Why not?” she asked.

“Because it’s proof of your strength. Your resilience. Your determination and your dedication. To me, it’s one of the most beautiful parts of you. I wish you weren’t so hard on it. On yourself.”

“I just want to be my best for you.”

“You’ve never been better, Natasha.”

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