As we walked up the front steps, the door opened and Eli, Blake’s boyfriend, held it open wider for us. “Where’s Clay?” I noticed how Eli looked from Blake to me and then back to Blake again, answering her question. “I think he’s up in his room.”

  “Hey Em,” Corbin stepped into the entryway from the kitchen, holding a sandwich so big it looked as if it could feed two people. “You looking for Clayton?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is this the little man we’ve heard about so many times?” Before I could answer Eli, he moved the blanket off Ethan. “Cute kid.” I smiled, feeling taken back by the acceptance of my son, acceptance by people who had just met him.

  “Come on,” Corbin waved me in. “I’ll take ya up.”

  One by one we climbed the stairs and still Ethan didn’t stir. When Corbin knocked on the door of Clay’s room there was no response. My stomach twisted as Corbin turned the knob and pushed open the door. The room was dark, but by the light from the hallway, I could see the lump beneath the blankets on his bed.

  “Clayton,” his brother said around a mouth full of food, “get up. You have company.”

  He didn’t wait with me, only nudged me inside and closed the door behind me. Suddenly I felt stupid for showing up as I stood in the center of his darkened room, unsure of what to do next.

  “Em?”

  I swallowed hard. I knew being near him would make it hard to hold myself together, and that was confirmed the instant I heard his voice call out for me. I turned around and hugged Ethan to my chest, almost like he could shelter me from the ache I’d felt inside.

  “Babe,” he whispered through the darkness, sounding even more alert than before. Clayton wrapped me in his arms from behind and curled his body around my own. “I was worried about you.”

  “I’m sorry.” I tried to breathe through the rush of emotions, but they were coming on too fast. “I should have called.”

  “I’m glad you came instead,” he confessed. “I need to hold you.”

  “Good, because I need to be held.” I rotated in his arms, leaned my head to his shoulder, and he held both me and Ethan in his arms. It was the first time since I arrived at my apartment that morning that I felt safe. Like maybe everything might be okay, as long as I had him. And Palmer, I needed Palmer for sure.

  “Stay with me.” It was a plea and exactly what I needed. “I just want to hold you.”

  “Good,” I whispered against his chest, “because I need to be held.”

  ***

  I woke up before the sun had fully risen and did nothing more than watch both Ethan and Clayton sleep at my side. Ethan’s little body was backed up, pressed securely to Clayton’s chest. In turn, Clayton had his arm extended out, holding Ethan close. His other arm stretched out under the pillow, holding mine beneath my head. He hadn’t let go even once throughout the night. It was a solid connection, one I think we were both desperate to have.

  There was something so pure and sweet about seeing him hold my son. He was so careful with him in everything he did, like his world did revolve around Ethan and me. I’d never felt more treasured than I was by Clayton.

  “What’s on your mind, pretty girl?”

  I looked up to find Clayton awake and watching me.

  “I already know she told you about yesterday.” He kept his expression neutral and his loyalty to Palmer made me love him even more. “I’m not mad at her for telling you, because I know she only did it because she was worried and scared. Palmer would never intentionally hurt me.” Again, he kept his face void of confession. “I’m glad she told you, because I’m not sure I could have gotten through everything without breaking down.”

  “We were both worried.” He finally confirmed what I already knew without actually saying the words. “Don’t let him change the amazing person you are, Emelie, the loving mother you are. He doesn’t deserve that power.”

  I closed my eyes tightly as the burning in them began. I hated that I’d spent so many years, wasted so much time trying to make him accept me. “I just wish for one day he could look past the mistakes I’ve made and see me,” I whispered through the ache that was trying to make me crumble. “See the hard work and dedication I’ve put into school and my degree, but also see the mom I am.” I opened my eyes and looked directly at Ethan, his little hand wrapped around Clayton’s thumb tightly. “My father has judged me from the day I went home to tell them I was pregnant and hasn’t stopped since. They see Ethan as the mistake that ruined my life, not as my son or their grandchild. The saddest thing of all is I don’t really think they even care just how much their dismissal hurts me.”

  Tears escaped and ran over my cheeks. “I just wanted them to see me, ya know.”

  “I see you.” Clayton squeezed my hand he held in his beneath the pillow. “Through all the fire you threw at me, I knew you were amazing.”

  His eyes burned with such devotion.

  “I will always see you, babe, no matter what. I love you, Em.” The rawness I felt only intensified to such a height that it was impossible to hold it together a second longer. “I love you and Ethan so damn much that the idea of not having either of you in my life terrifies me.”

  I closed my eyes tightly.

  “I heard what you said to Palmer earlier on the phone.” My eyes shot open quickly. “I heard every word you shared, and the idea of you pushing me away almost brought me to my knees.”

  I swallowed hard, remembering what I’d said.

  “But I need you to know something.” Again he squeezed my hand, still refusing to pull his other hand out of Ethan’s grasp. “Even if you pushed me away I wouldn’t have left. Because I will never walk away from you, sweetheart. I meant what I said before. You and Ethan are my world, and that won’t change.”

  “I said it first,” I said, and he grinned, knowing what I was referring to.

  “You may have said it out loud, but I’ve been saying it for weeks over and over in my mind.”

  “Doesn’t count,” I told him and he only smiled wider.

  “It so counts, babe. It always counts when you realize you met the girl that is your game changer.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Clayton

  “Is she sleeping?” I asked Palmer as I stepped inside their apartment and spoke in a low tone.

  “No, she’s in the shower.” I noticed the smirk on her lips as she scooped Ethan off the floor. “This little guy and I are going out for a long walk, and then we’ll be back.” She turned to face me. “She is tired though, so maybe you could convince her that she should relax a bit.”

  Palmer was anything but discreet, and I’ll admit I loved the fact that she was a no-bullshit kinda girl. She was in my corner one hundred percent, and for that I was also thankful.

  As she passed me, I reached out and ruffled Ethan’s hair, which triggered him to reach out for me. Willingly I accepted him, and he wrapped his two little arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. “Tell Auntie P to get you a cookie or something sweet on your walk.” I grabbed two twenties from my back pocket and passed them over to her. “Maybe bring something back for Mommy too.”

  I kissed the top of his head and passed him back to Palmer just before they slipped out the door.

  As I walked down the hall toward the bathroom, I stepped over a dump truck with five diapers piled in the back of it, clean ones, thank god. We never knew with Ethan; he was always testing Palmer, and lately Emelie too. The older he got the more hassle he provided. Me, I thought it was hilarious; them, not so much.

  Turning the handle to the bathroom, I stepped inside and was immediately met with steam filtering throughout the room. I could see the silhouette of my girl behind the fogged doors of the shower. I didn’t want to scare her, so I decided to announce my arrival, although stepping inside with her did sound a whole lot more exciting.

  “Em.” I stood in the doorway and watched her body go rigid behind the glass. “It’s Clay.”

  She reached out and slid the door open just enough to peek through the crack. Water beaded on her cheeks and lips as she offered me a smile. “Hi.”

  “Mind if I join you?”

  She looked toward the floor and then her eyes met mine once more. “Where’s Ethan?”

  “With Palmer.” I stepped inside and locked the door handle behind me. “She said they were going for a long walk, then stopping for something sweet to bring back for all of us.” She bit her lip and slid the door open just a little further. “She played some pretty heavy emphasis on the word ‘long,’ too.”

  “I’m sure she did.” I watched Emelie run her hands along the contour of her hip and instantly I grew hard. “You plan on joining me, or are you standing out there until I’m done?”

  She moved away from the opening and stepped beneath the water once more. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten undressed faster as my clothes began hitting the floor in a hurry.

  As I stepped inside, she kept her back to me. Her long hair lay wet against her back as the water ran freely. Soap from her hair mixed with the water trailing along her back and ass, before running along the backs of her thighs.

  Fuck me, my girl was sexy.

  Stepping in closer, I ran my hands over her hips and down the front of her thighs as she leaned back into my touch.

  “I’ve missed you,” I whispered near her ear.

  She’s been working so much lately. With the hospital and then her second part-time job at a retirement home, I felt like our time was even more limited. It had been three days since the last time I was able to hold her.

  “Me too,” she confessed, placing her hands over mine and moving them to the insides of her thighs.

  “I think you need a break.” Among other things.

  “I think I need you,” she whispered in return, like she was reading my mind.

  “You have me anytime you want me.”

  She turned in my arms and pressed her chest tightly to mine. The hardness of her nipples rubbing against me only further excited me as I pushed my hips forward against her. “I want you now,” she cooed, kissing over my chest.

  “I want you all the time.” When she looked up at me through her long lashes my heart felt as if it lurched in my chest. Damn, that look of hers got me every time and made me feel weak.

  Bending just enough to bring my lips to hers, I began kissing her, slowly at first. Within seconds she was demanding more as she fisted the hair at the back of my head and pulled me tighter into her.

  When she reached between our bodies and gripped my cock, I moaned into our kiss. Her tiny hand fisted me and began to stroke, and it took all I had to keep from pinning her against the wall and sinking inside her.

  “Are you done showering?” She nodded her head and I reached around her to turn off the water. Her lips trailed over my jaw, along the side of my neck, and her hand never left my hardness. Her grip only tightened, and my thighs tensed as I continued to talk myself down. “Let’s get out.”

  I turned around and she reluctantly let her hand slide away from my cock as I grabbed for a towel and tossed it to the floor. Stepping outside of the shower, I reached out and helped her do the same before I picked up a second towel and started to dry off.

  The way she was watching me, her eyes lingering over my body, made my heart race even faster. After I was dry, I stepped toward her and slowly started to towel her off too. She didn’t even attempt to take it from me, only watched me with a hungry look in her eyes.

  I took my time drying her body, allowing my fingers to contact her skin with each attempt…my thumb grazing over her nipple, my forefinger exploring the inside of her thigh. As I kneeled before her, I made sure to blow out a long, slow breath against her clit, that was only a few inches from my lips. I heard her whimper and looked up to find her watching me with her mouth slightly open. Taking it one step further, I continued to watch her as I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss against her, and she widened her legs, inviting me to continue.

  When I gently stroked her with my tongue, she gripped my shoulders and I wrapped my own arm around her back to ensure she remained upright.

  There was nothing better than how responsive Emelie was. It was always this way with us; in fact, I think each time we were together it only got better. When I continued my assault, she started to shift her hips against me, a sure sign she was seeking more. I pressed my thumb to her clit and slid my finger through her wetness before carefully pushing it inside her. “Yes,” she moaned, her hips moving faster. I let her take what she needed and watched her move.

  Mind-blowing was what came to mind.

  Her breaths grew shorter as she started panting. I reached out in search of my pants and retrieved my wallet with my free hand. Once I gathered the condom inside, I tore it open with my teeth and began to roll it over me carefully. She was close, I could feel her pussy tighten around me, but I wanted to feel her around me.

  Pulling back my hand, she groaned in protest as I stood and grabbed her hips. “I wanna feel you,” I explained as I backed her up to the vanity and lifted her up to sit next to the sink. Gripping her hips, I pulled her to the edge and together we watched between us as I stepped up close.

  The second my cock made contact I swear my knees almost gave out beneath me. She felt amazing and incredible, so warm as she pulsated around me.

  “Oh my god,” she whispered as I pushed forward until I was completely inside her. “I need you.”

  “You have me.”

  “I need more.” Emelie shifted against me. “Please.”

  I started to move, knowing just what she was demanding. Gripping her hips tight, I started to thrust, my toes curling into the tile floor beneath me.

  “I’m so close,” she panted as she propped her back against the fogged mirror behind her. This only gave me a better view of the place we were joined and that made it difficult to hold back. I wanted to feel her come, I needed it.

  Her legs hooked over my hips, linking together behind my back. Her mouth hung open just slightly as her tits bounced with each thrust. Just when I thought I wouldn’t be able to hold out any longer, she called out my name as her pussy clenched around me tightly.

  It was the moment I let go, slamming inside of her over and over, feeling my own release rip through me.

  Never had I felt anything more earth shattering. Emelie was my everything.

  ***

  “It’s for four days,” I whispered in the darkness and carefully crawled over her body. “I think you and Ethan both deserve a little time away. And I wanna show you where I’m from. I want my family to meet you.”

  “I have bills to pay,” she protested.

  “Palmer told you already more than once that four days is not gonna set you guys back. You two got this, and since you won’t let me help you…”

  “Because it’s not your responsibility to pay my bills.” She placed her hand against my jaw and I leaned into her touch. “Even though you still manage to sneak in diapers when I’m not looking and food that just randomly appears in our refrigerator.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I kissed her and felt her smile against my lips. “I want you two with me. I wanna show off my girl and boy.” I loved the way her expression softened when I referred to her and Ethan as mine. But I wasn’t saying anything that wasn’t true; it’s how I envisioned them both. I couldn’t honestly remember what it was like without them and I didn’t want to remember, either. They changed me; I was still the same fun guy, but now I was in love with a girl and her son.

  “Palmer can even come too.”

  “To Kentucky?” she asked with her brow arched.

  “Yeah,” I said, kissing her again. Maybe I could manage to kiss her delirious, then she’d agree before she had the chance to register what she was agreeing to. Hell, it was worth a try.

  “I’ve never been outside of Florida,” she confessed.

  “Then that’s a yes?”

  “It’s a maybe,” she corrected and I hung my head. “I just need to check with work and make sure I can arrange it.”

  “And if it ends up being good with them?”

  “Then it looks like we’ll be taking a trip to Kentucky,” she smiled, “but remember you invited Palmer too.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Emelie

  Palmer and I rode in the backseat during the eleven-plus hour drive to Morehead. This was against Clayton’s wishes; of course, he wanted me up front with him. But there was no way I was going to leave Palmer in the backseat with Corbin and Ethan both. Poor girl could handle her own for sure, but what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t try to at least serve as a buffer?

  It didn’t help that the first thing Corbin said to my best friend when we walked out of our apartment was she had a nice rack. The daggers she shot him scared even me. When she mumbled something about suffocating him before the trip was over, I figured it was best to keep them at a distance.

  Much like his brother, though, Corbin does not let things go and he continued to antagonize Palmer for the first three hours of our drive until Clayton threatened to buy him a bus ticket at the nearest station and force him to take that means of transportation for the remainder of the trip. Now he’d just resorted to peeking over his shoulder every so often.

  She got better at ignoring him though, and had become completely absorbed with Ethan. They were coloring on the iPad Clayton offered with a few newly installed kids’ games for the road. The man was a genius for sure.

  It truly warmed my heart how he managed to put Ethan first so often.

  “You two better be ready for some barbecue.” Corbin looked back over his shoulder, smiling wide at the both of us.

  “We’ve lived in Florida our entire lives, dumbass. That doesn’t mean we’ve lived in a cave. We know what barbecue is.” Palmer rolled her eyes at Corbin and looked out the side window at the open land that passed us by.