Page 4 of Satisfying the King

But nothing was as good as her dada.

“Thank goodness he’s got strong arms. I’m pretty sure mine would have broken off by now.” Eve opened the huge fridge and started taking things out for lunch.

“I know. My muscles hurt just looking at them.” And that was so true. But if anyone in this world could carry a toddler around for two days straight—it was my lumberjack.

“Hopefully she’ll settle in soon,” Eve said with a huge yawn.

None of us had gotten much sleep the last forty-eight hours. The babies were a little cranky and off. Not as bad as Dani. But they definitely weren’t themselves.

Caring for four kids under two had us all beat. Sophia helped out a ton with everything. There still wasn’t a lot of time to put our feet up.

“I feel horrible. I wish she’d let me carry her around for a while at least. Or maybe lay down for a nap instead of clutching onto Carlo for dear life.” I washed my hands and dried them. Then I turned around to see Eve staring at the food on the island with a confused look on her face. “I’m so tired, I can’t remember what I was going to make for lunch.” She yawned again.

I laughed out loud and wandered up to my friend. My arms wrapped around her for a hug. “Aww, momma’s tired. Why don’t you go nap with your husband while the kids are sleeping?”

She squeezed me and then moved her head back. “Really?”

I smiled at my best friend.

Eve was a lot of things. But one thing she wasn’t—was a quitter. So, if she was ready to throw in the towel, I knew exactly how exhausted she really was.

“Really.” I nodded and let go of her. “I’ll mix something up for lunch and put it in the fridge. You guys can eat whenever.”

She hugged me one more time before retreating out of the kitchen.

A few minutes later, I heard a familiar voice ask, “You’re the only sucker around to make lunch?” Stefan walked in through the patio doors.

He looked all sweaty and—hot. Low slung shorts. Bronzed, sun kissed skin.

And he’d removed his T-shirt to wipe his face with it.

“I’m the only one besides you who can stand on their feet at the moment.”

Stefan had told me earlier that he was going out for a run. He’d invited me into the shower with him—but I didn’t think that was a great idea.

I mean—of course, I thought it was a great idea.

A wet, soapy Stefan was always a great idea. But the fact that his brother was carrying my kid around—trying to console her—didn’t exactly put me in the mood. If you know what I mean.

Stefan had a look in his eyes—one that I knew all too well. And he was headed right for me.

I swerved around the island just in time to miss his long reach. “Come here, sweetheart.” The corner of his lips tipped up. “Going for a run didn’t help. I still need you in the,” he ran around the next corner of the island—but I was quicker, “shower.”

He swiped at me, and I laughed. “No, go away. You’re all sweaty.”

He wouldn’t give up.

“Giselle, you know you like it.” His voice was low and menacing.

And smexy as heck.

He still made me laugh, though.

The big sweaty man faked left—but went right. And that was my downfall.

He caught me.

His hands grabbed onto my upper arms, and he caged me in against the counter. We were both breathing heavy—and laughing.

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