Page 73 of Owned By The Cowboy

“Maybe we should’ve stayed home.”

“And missed all the fun? Not a chance.”

We exchange a soft smile.

Inside, the kids are getting ready for bed, and I’m left alone with Blayne in the living room. He’s taking off his jacket, and I’m staring at the way his t-shirt stretches across his chest, the way his jeans fit his thick thighs just right. Lord, I hope I’m not contagious anymore. Cause I need to get me some of that tall, muscular yumminess…

“That was really fun, babe,” I say, because I need to say something before I do something stupid like tell him how hot he’s making me feel.

“It was. Kids are great.”

He’s standing in front of me, towering over me, looking into my eyes, one hand in my hair, his thumb gently stroking my face. So big, so hard, so warm, so fucking handsome. Smelling so freaking good after a whole day of running around, all I want to do is rip off his clothes and lick him all over. Before I ride his face…

There’s definitely something simmering between us right now. Something that’s been building all day, every time he touchedme during our mini golf “coaching” session, every time he looked at me with heat in his blue eyes, every time he claimed us as his.

“Blayne?”

“Yeah?”

“When that hostess asked if we were married…”

“I shouldn’t have said what I said. I just…”

“I’m glad you did.”

He stops what he’s doing and looks at me. Really looks at me. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. It felt… right. All of it felt right.”

“Reggie…”

“Mama!” Nia calls from down the hall. Goddammit. “Can you help me with this stupid brace?” I love my child. I love my child. I love my child.

Blayne is smirking like he can read my thoughts.

“Coming!” I call back, but I don’t move. I just want a few more seconds of being this close to him. Smelling him, feeling him, having his eyes on me. His hands. Of sharing the anticipation of what we might do later.

“Go,” Blayne says softly, his full lips stretched in a teasing smile. “Help your daughter.”

“Are you staying tonight?”

“Do you want me to stay?”

“Yes. I always want you to stay.”

The sexy smile broadens. “Then I’m staying, love.”

Twenty minutes later, I’ve helped Nia with her brace, made sure Annalise actually brushed her teeth instead of just running water over her toothbrush, and listened to Jaylen recap every detail of his tryouts for the third time today.

When I come back to the living room, Blayne’s on the couch scrolling through his phone, and the sight is so easy, so normal, it takes my breath away. This is what I want. This man in my house, comfortable, relaxed, part of our lives.

“All settled?” he asks, raising his sky-blue eyes my way.

“Finally. Though I think Jaylen’s going to be too excited to sleep.”

“Making varsity’s a big deal.”

“It is. And you being there made it even bigger for him.”