Page 144 of Devil's Claim

Maverick was hysterical, laughing himself silly.

My laugh was also instantaneous. When Kruz jumped up, I crawled backward, finally struggling to my feet and running toward the shore.

I was no match for Kruz. He jerked me into his arms three seconds later, spinning me around before heading to the water.

“You should think twice about sneaking up on a really bad man,” he said in his husky voice.

“Who was sneaking?”

“You were. My mischievous wife.” He took several long strides into the water, holding me up as if ready to toss me into the waves.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Oh, yes, I would.”

As usual, the man underestimated me. Before he tossed me out by several feet, I grabbed his arm. We both went down, spinning around in the water as the waves crashed over us.

Sputtering, I lunged up from the water, laughing so hard I almost sucked down the salty liquid. Kruz splashed his way through, immediately shaking his head. When he caught sight of me, he lunged forward, wrapping his arms around me.

“You are a very bad girl. Perhaps I should toss you over my knee.”

“You can’t. Not with an audience.”

We both heard giggles coming from the shore. Maverick stood pointing at us, laughing up a storm.

“There’s always later,” he growled and fisted the back of my hair.

“Promises. Promises.”

“I think you know me better than that by now. I always come through.”

“Hmm…” I tried to push off from him, but he refused, capturing my mouth instead. The kiss was the same as always, utterly incredible. As he swept his tongue inside, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders.

With everything we’d gone through, I was floored by how intense our relationship had become. There was a strange connection that only grew stronger, a need unlike anything I’d ever experienced.

“Ew. Mommy.”

My little man’s chastisement finally broke the moment. We both looked at him.

“You know what I was thinking,” Kruz said in his deep voice, the one that always sent a wave of heat into every muscle.

“Should I be afraid to ask?”

He forced my legs around his, pulling me even tighter. “Always, my wife. But I think it’s time you made good on the remainder of your contract.”

“Now what would that mean?”

“You know, the part where you’re required to give me an heir.”

“You mean Maverick isn’t too much for you?” I pulled back, studying his face, barely able to keep from smiling.

“I have him wrapped around my little finger.”

I glanced over at Maverick, biting back laughter.

“What? You don’t think so?”

“Nope. Just the other way around. Weren’t you the one who insisted on buying him more toys last night when he has a room full of them?” I asked, lifting an eyebrow.