Page 114 of Let's Be Forever

Anna and I grin at each other, following Jenny into the living room.

My closest friends and some of the wives and girlfriends are gathered around Rosie who is being held by Thea. Marc hovers close by as if he’s making sure no one is overwhelming my daughter. And I’m proven right when he tells Frost he’s doing too much and is scaring her.

Rowan tsks. “Why am I not surprised? You’re horrible with kids.”

The smile on Frost’s face disappears but it’s only gone for a second before it’s plastered back on his face. “I don’t see Rosie going with you.”

“I mean look at him.” Joey snickers, waving a hand over his stony face. “Does that look like the face kids would be drawn to?”

“So, when are you coming to a game?” Abby, Matias’s wife, stands next to Anna, taking a sip from her cup. “He looks for you in the crowd,” she says over the noise.

Anna flushes, grinning up at me. “Does he now?”

I know she’s busy with work, so I never want to ask because I don’t want her to feel guilty. So, I like to pretend she’s watching me from the stands.

“Yes, so you need to come to a game. When will that be?” she asks, staring at her expectantly.

I warned Anna that some of the guys and women are blunt and have no filter. Of course, she’s not fazed, appearing unperturbed about her direct question. Not that it was a bad question, but there have been some that are a little out there. One of the girlfriends asked if we were going to have another kid.

“Soon, actually. Just trying to figure out how to rope in Maya, Jenny, and Clementine. They’d love to come to a game too.”

I didn’t know she was going to come. I instantly perk up, eager to ask when, but I tell myself to calm down.

“Let me know and I’ll get us a box. With the news of Rosie and”—she glances at me—“his parents…the fans might go a little crazy.”

I’d go to jail again if something happened to her and Rosie. I make a mental note of asking when she plans to come to make sure they get the box.

Anna nods and soon the conversation is straying away from hockey to the bakery and Abby’s job. I stay quiet, only answering when I’m spoken to because I don’t want to interrupt. I just want to revel in this moment.

I’m with people who I genuinely care about and love. This is the best birthday I’ve ever had.

45

SYLAS

The first thingI notice when I arrive at the condo is how silent it is.

We arrived early this morning from the Cape, but while the girls came back home, I hung out with the guys before they had to fly back out.

I figure they’re napping, probably exhausted from yesterday. I’m not sure what time we all went to bed, though I know we were still up past midnight. Anna doesn’t like Rosie losing sleep, but yesterday was an exception; everyone wanted to be around my daughter, especially my sister. Wherever Rosie was, that’s where Thea could be found.

I pad to my bedroom, slowing to a stop when I hear the faintest moan come from the other side of the door. My cock twitches, and a thrill shoots down my spine.

I stop stalling as the noise increases and open the door. My eyes double in size, sweeping hastily over Anna’s naked body on the bed and the vibrator she’s holding between her spread thighs.

The moans that were leaving out of her mouth cease, as do her movements, but she doesn’t budge. “It’s about time you came home.”

“Fuck, I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner.” I shut the door behind me, reaching over my head to grab the neck of my shirt. I’m removing it, dropping it to the floor. I don’t get to take a step forward before she’s holding her palm up, telling me to stay where I am.

“Grab that tie,” she says with a nod of her head, eyes settling behind me on the doorknob. “Put it around your neck.”

“Yes, anything you want.” I’m doing as she instructs, ready to take my jeans off. My erection is tenting them, pushing painfully to be free. It doesn’t help that she’s naked, a sheen of sweat coating her body and her pussy glistening.

“And get on your hands and knees.” The corner of her mouth ticks up, and a supercilious grin curls on her face. “Hurry up, I’m ready to come,” she urges, rubbing the tip of her wet vibrator over her clit, her chest rising and falling haphazardly.

Sucking in a breath, I snap out of the trance, dragging my tongue over my dry lips and dropping to my hands and knees.

“Come.” She sets the toy next to her, keeping her thighs as they are. “Crawl to me, Sylas.”