EPILOGUE

Baja—

I sit out on our deck with Rosie curled at my feet. It's early September, and I know the mornings are soon going to get chilly—too chilly to bring Ariana outside.

I snuggle my six-week-old daughter to my chest; her little legs are tucked under her, and her little booty points skyward. I pat it with my big hand, amazed all over again at how small she is.

Pressing my face to her downy hair, I breathe in that new baby smell. There's nothing like it in the world.

"When you're older, Ariana, Daddy will bring you out here at night and tell you about all the stars in the Milky-way, and the cow that jumped over the moon," I whisper to the top of her head.

Her little lips move like she's sucking something, and my chest shakes with laughter. "Gotta give Mama a break, sweetheart. You're workin' those nipples of hers raw."

Elaina emerges with two steaming cups of coffee. Decaf for her. Rocket fuel for me. She sets mine on the table.

"Thanks, babe."

"And what were you two talking about?" She smiles.

"Go back inside," I say. "We're having daddy-daughter time."

Instead, she sits and puts her bare feet in my lap, her robe parting. I lay a hand on one and squeeze.

She moans. "God, that feels good."

I massage her feet for a few minutes, then my hand trails up her bare legs to her pussy and stroke her.

She trembles.

I stand. "Let me put Ariana down and I'll be back to take care of you."

"I'll be here waiting," she whispers with a serene smile.

"I can take care of both the ladies in my life. Never doubt it, sweetheart."

Taking the baby inside, I gently set her in her crib, then grab the monitor and return to Elaina. Sitting down, I tug her hand and pull her onto my lap, then slip my hand up under her robe.

She rests her head back and closes her eyes.

I take my time, and slowly bring her to orgasm, until her body shudders and her arms cling to me. "I love you, Baja."

"Love you more, little Mama."

And in a few minutes, she's dosed off. I check the monitor and grin. Both my girls are sleeping peacefully.

I drag in a deep breath and tilt my own head back, closing my eyes.

Life cannot get any better than this.

I only have a moment to take in the calm before my phone vibrates on the armrest.

Cracking an eye open, I pick it up and read the text.

DARKO: Brother, I need your help.

I pick up the phone and call him.

"Hello," he answers.

"Hey, man. What do you need?" I whisper.

"I've got a guy coming to pick up a car tomorrow morning, and I've got someplace I need to be. Could you do me a favor and come by, get his check, and give him the keys?"

"All right. I can do that. You goin' somewhere?"

"Yeah. I've got to pick up my son."

I chuckle at his odd comment. "You don't have a son, Darko."

"Apparently, I do."

I hope you enjoyed reading Taking What's Ours.