Page 56 of Effing Eli

“Who’s teasing? Tonight, I’ll suck you so hard you’ll pass out.”

He noticeably shivered and I felt victorious.

“And they think you’re so prim and proper. My family has no idea what a vixen you are.”

“And they better not know. By the way Cai was talking, you’ve told your cousins about our interludes, haven’t you?”

He shrugged with a sheepish grin. “We’re like real brothers. We all share our stories.”

I rolled my eyes. “God, you men.”

The doorbell rang.

“That must be Owen with food. He’s awful late.” I padded to the door.

“He had a hookup last night after work.”

I stopped at turned back to Eli. “How do you know?”

“Boo, we’re best friends, brothers. We talk.”

I shook my head and opened the door. “Merry Christmas, Owen!”

“Merry Christmas, little mama. I come bearing a feast for kings… and queens.”

“Well, bring it in. We’re starving.” I closed the door and pointed up the stairs. “I’m going to go see the crib.”

“I’ll be here with the little prince.”

I blew Eli a kiss and trotted up the stairs.

I loved having his family around. They were enamored with Tristian. During my last trimester, someone stopped by every day to keep me company while Eli was at work. He didn’t want me alone, afraid I would go into labor or fall down the stairs. He was slightly overprotective. But his aunt and cousins stepped up to the plate and took care of me when Eli couldn’t. His family adored me. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Well, not true. I wished I saw my own family more often. My parents worked a lot, and my brother was abroad teaching English in Korea. We video-chatted once a week, but it wasn’t the same as having him here to hold his nephew. My parents would be over later tonight after my dad’s shift ended. Eli and I bought them tickets to Korea so they could visit my brother in the spring. My mother will probably cry.

I entered the nursery and gasped. “Oh. My. God. Mona, it’s gorgeous. Guys, you did an amazing job putting it together.” I hugged Griff and Marc.

Mona swooned over the crib. “It’s hand-carved and made from the finest mahogany.”

“I love it. Thank you so much.”

“It was our pleasure, sweet girl.” Mona took me into her arms. “Did I hear Owen arrive?”

“Yes. Bearing a feast for kings and queens.”

Mona smiled. “He spoils us.”

“Did he bring his lady friend?” Marc asked.

Mona whipped her head toward him. “What lady friend?”

“Idiot.” Griff shoved him, and my eyes went wide. “They’re not dating. It was just a hookup.”

“You boys. I don’t want to hear about such things. Come on, Autumn. This is suddenly no place for us ladies.”

“Sorry, Mom,” the guys said as we left the nursery.

“They think I don’t know what goes on around here, but I’ll have you know I have eyes in this city everywhere. After all, we’re the Morgans of Manhattan. Nothing goes unnoticed regarding us.”

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