Chapter 25

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Michael

Sam finally came downstairs, willing to mingle with the family just in time to join us for dinner. Her mood lifted immediately after finding out about my engagement.

Seems my sister is happy I'm taken, or rather, that Lara is taken.

A thought I'm not diving into.

My whole family has been great and beyond supportive. Not that I expected anything less since they'd been the same with Daniel.

I stand propped against the doorframe of the kitchen, watching Charlie and my girl help my mom clean up the dinner mess, unable and unwilling to let Lara out of my sight .

"He's a good man," Charlie whispers, her words only just reaching me.

Lara peeks over at me.

"You won't find anyone as loyal. Once he loves someone, that's it. He's never letting go."

What am I, a fucking retriever?

"The brothers have that in common, that and a few other things. If you ever need to talk, I'm here."

Lara frowns at her words, not understanding but I do. I give Charlie a look that she needs to behave. She knows better.

My girl knows I'm a killer. She doesn't need to know the rest. Not before she's fully bound to me, at least.

Daniel joins me in the doorway. "Go control your wife," I mutter.

"She'd only enjoy it."

I turn to him, my mouth open slightly.

Two years later and it still shakes me to my core when my big brother makes a joke.

"And stop bringing my wife fries and milkshakes," he growls, kicking away from the door. That's more like it.

"She likes them!" I protest.

"I know, that's why I buy them." He glares. Leaning down, he molds his mouth to Charlie's, peppering tiny kisses to her lips. Belle reaches for her mother's hair. Strapped to her dad, she's more than happy to have her mom and dad close.

Lara blushes, watching as the couple kisses next to her at the counter. Her hip is propped against the counter, drawing my eyes to where the blue sports top ends on her midriff.

We really need to buy her outfits for when we stay here. Her clothes and the rest of her things will be at my house soon, but I prefer to keep my room here stocked since we come often enough. Maybe a shopping trip and a new wardrobe will help ease the fact that I'm about to upheave her whole world. If nothing else, it'll be a chance for the ladies to bond.

Mom leaves the kitchen, busy collecting more dirty dishes, leaving the four of us alone, so I take my chance.

"You really do like to watch," I tease my girl as I sneak up behind her, my chin resting softly on her shoulder.

She shivers when my lips brush her ear, my teeth tugging at her lobe.

"Do not!" she insists.

"Are you wet?"

"Michael!" she shrieks, horrified. Spinning around, she dislodges me.

"Michael Cromwell, you stop annoying my new daughter," Mom shouts from the other room.

Lara's breath catches.

"Told you." I wink.

"Mom, Daniel won't let me hold the baby," I whine, reaching for Belle.

"Make your own," Daniel replies, slapping my hands away .

"I'm working on it," I answer smugly.

"Then you'd better learn to put your dick in a different hole."

I choke at his words.

"Daniel!" Charlie reprimands.

But I'm in too much shock to say anything.

That's the funniest and the filthiest joke he's ever made!

Lara's face takes on a shade of red yet to be named.

"Ignore him." Charlie rubs Lara's arm. "I do."

At his wife's words, Daniel finally passes me the baby. "Is that a fact?" he quizzes.

His hands engulf Charlie's waist, pulling her into his body. Will I ever be able to do that with Lara? Hold her close without having to give myself a pep talk first. To be able to reach out and not worry about possibly feeling pain and panic?

The memory of her back touching my bare chest in the truck and the thrill it caused rushes over me. I'm touching Lara more than I've ever touched anyone.

Will it ever be instinctively and without thought? Maybe one day.

Sam skips into the room, stealing Belle while I'm distracted.

"I'm her favorite. She loves me more," my sister gloats.

"Not true!" I huff. "Charlie, Sam's being mean." My sister-in-law gives me an indulgent smile while her husband sucks at her neck. "Give me another niece so we can both hold one," I demand. I take Belle back, holding her close. It's amazing how healing she's been for my brother and me.

"I'm working on it," Daniel tells me with a glare, his hands dropping to his wife's ass.

Get a room.

A second later, they do just that. Daniel eagerly pulls his wife from the room, heading for the stairs.

"Belle," Charlie protests.

"I got her," I call out.

"Where are they going?" Dad asks, entering just as the couple sneaks out.

"Bed. They're pretty tired. Charlie was practically falling asleep on her feet," I lie.

Mom tuts, joining us again. "We should help more. They're overwhelmed."

I try not to smile. The opposite is true.

"We'll take her all night. I miss having a baby wake me at two a.m.," she jokes. "You kids go play somewhere and stop hogging my grandbaby."

Play? The woman forgets how old we are.

"Movie?" Kaleb asks.

"Not scary!" Sam insists.