Page 130

“It’s a boy,” Sammy said, pulling the phone back and swiping his thumb across the screen. “His name is Maximus Jaron Mercer but apparently they’re calling him JJ for short because he looks like Jaron did as a baby.”

“I’m happy for them.” If anyone deserved some sort of happiness, it was those two.

“I’m heading up to see them and wanted to check if you wanted to come with but...” Sammy shoved his phone back in his pocket. “I imagine you want to stay here with Mouse.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I do. After what happened, I just...I can’t leave her again.”

“I get it.” Sammy came up to me and pulled me into a hug. “I’m happy for you too, brother.”

I squeezed him, hugging maybe a little too long. Definitely longer than we had in quite a while. “I love you, Sammy.”

“I love you too.” He pulled away from me. “I want to go see Mom and Dad.”

My eyes widened, my chest tightening. He hadn’t wanted to visit their graves in years. “Why now?”

“I don’t know. I...” He ran a hand over the back of his neck. “I found a letter from Mom. It was in my sock drawer. I forgot I had it.”

Eve gave it to us to read a couple of years ago but neither of us had the courage to do so. “We’ll read it together,” I told him.

“Go take care of your girl. I’ll see you at the clubhouse.” He walked past me, gave my shoulder a squeeze, and disappeared down the hall.

Taking a deep breath, I went back into Ainsley’s room, needing her in my arms.

Her eyes slowly opened, landing on me as I neared her. I realized then that she was where I belonged. With her at my side. Sometimes at my feet if she allowed it and in my life. Definitely in my life.

“Hey,” she whispered as I neared her.

I sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over her, crushing my mouth to hers. The kiss deepened. Although it bordered on inappropriate at best, it still pulled those sexy little sounds from the back of her throat.

I broke the kiss, giving her swollen lips a final peck before leaning back. “Hi.”

“What was that for?” she asked, breathless.

“Just my little way of letting you know that I love you, and appreciate you, and am so damn proud of you.” My heart thumped harder the wider her smile became.

“I already know all of that.”

“Good.” I kissed her nose. “Just making sure.”

She giggled, her eyes shining. “Take me home. Please, Cyrus. I need your bed.”

My body stirred at the mere idea of having her beneath my sheets when no other woman had ever had the pleasure of being there.

“You need your rest,” I corrected her.

“Yeah, I do, and I can rest in your bed.” She sat up, wincing at the movement, but made no complaints about the pain. “Please.” She licked her lips. “Sir.”

My dick jumped. “I have a surprise for you,” I bit out, my voice rough.

“You do?”

“Yeah.” I laid her back. “And when the doctors say you can leave, I’ll give it to you then.”

Ainsley pouted. “Do I really have to wait that long?”

I chuckled. “Actually, I’ll give it to you when you’re naked beneath my sheets.”

She sighed. “Fine. I guess I can wait.” She grabbed my hand, pulling me toward her. “Lay with me?”