My heart raced, and I wasn’t sure if I was excited at the idea or completely freaked out by it.
Little Chloe jumped up. “You’re having a baby, Aunt Meli?”
Gasps filled the waiting room.
Amelia shook her head and waved her hands around. “What? No!”
Trevor and Cord shot me what appeared to be death rays from their eyes while Tripp and Mitchell looked on in horror…as if some poor girls had just told them they were about to be dads.
Tears filled Melanie’s eyes as she said, “Amelia!”
Waylynn groaned. “Oh, nice. I’ll be forty by the time I have a damn kid.”
“Damn kid!” Chloe practically shouted.
Amelia gasped and looked at Chloe, giving her the best stern mom look she could. “Chloe Lynn, what did I tell you about swearing?”
She motioned like she was zipping her lips. Amelia rolled her eyes and looked around the room. “I’m not pregnant, so you two over there, stow the evil eyes.” Pointing to Chloe, she said, “You and I need to have to have a serious girl-to-girl talk about this repeating everything you hear.”
Chloe’s little mouth opened, and Amelia lifted her hand. “No! Don’t even, you little stinker!”
She giggled and went back to coloring as if her little outburst hadn’t tilted the world on its axis.
John clutched his chest and looked toward the ceiling, whispering, “Thank you!”
Hands on her hips, Amelia snarled. “Well, it’s nice to get a preview of how everyone will feel. The only one I’ve got on my side is Aunt Vi and that’s because she’s passed out!”
Tripp walked over to his sister, giving her a kiss on the forehead. “Amelia, you’re the baby, and you’ll always be the baby. When the time comes, everyone will be thrilled.”
With a defeated sigh, she flopped back down in her seat.
Amelia glanced my way. I was positive I had a goofy-as-hell look on my face. Taking her hand in mine, I kissed the back of it. “When that day comes you’ll have made me the happiest man on Earth, Amelia.”
Her eyes pooled with tears. “I hope I didn’t spook you. I wasn’t meaning right away or anything.”
I pulled her up and winked at her before saying, “We’re heading out for some fresh air. Anyone care to join us?”
“No, thank you” and “enjoy the air” came from around the waiting room, so Amelia and I headed to the elevator. The moment the doors shut, I pressed myself against her, kissing her like I hadn’t seen her in months.
Wrapping her arms around my neck, Amelia let out a moan. The elevator came to a stop and we broke apart, both of us breathing like we had just run a marathon.
“Good afternoon,” an older woman said as she stepped into the elevator.
“Afternoon,” we both said. I tipped my baseball cap at the lady. When the doors opened and we stepped out, I practically pulled Amelia through the lobby of the hospital.
With a giggle, she asked, “Where are we going?”
I stepped outside and started across the street to the Holiday Inn Express.
“Wade Adams! You want to go have sex while Paxton’s having a baby?”
I replied, “Yes. Yes, I do.”
She did a little hop and said, “Okay!”
We stood in the lobby and waited while the young woman at the counter checked us in. I kept glancing at the door, waiting for Cord and Trevor to come rushing in like they had a tracking device on me.
“They think we’re out walking around,” Amelia said, squeezing my arm.
The young woman stopped typing and peeked at us with a smile.
I replied, “I know.”
“So, you better be quick!” Amelia added.
Clearing her throat, the young girl said, “Right, well, here is your room card. I’d explain where the pool and other amenities of the hotel are but it sounds like you aren’t going to be using those. So, um, enjoy your stay.”
The poor girl’s face turned bright red when I took the card and said, “We will. There’s no doubt about that.”
I guided Amelia to the elevator. Hitting me on the stomach, she whispered, “That was mean. You made her blush.”
I kissed her on the top of the head, and we stepped through the doors. “Made you blush, as well.”
We barely got into the room before our hands were fumbling with our pants. The way this woman made me feel was unreal. I couldn’t get enough of her.
“Damn it, Amelia. I need to be inside you.”
She nodded, tugging my pants to get them off my legs, nearly falling in the process.
Her bra was still on as she crawled onto the bed and moved up toward the headboard.
“Your socks are still on,” she said with a chuckle.
“My feet are cold.”
Laughing, she dropped onto the pillow. I could tell she was waiting for the delicious moment when I slipped inside of her, and we were lost to each other.
I ripped the condom package open with my teeth.
Licking her lips, Amelia purred, “In a hurry there, cowboy?”
“I’m not sure how good my resolve is right now, darlin’. My dick is throbbing.”
She spread her legs, showing me that sweet pussy that was all mine. Resting over her, I kissed her lips and barely pushed inside. Amelia wrapped her legs around me and pulled me closer, making me slip deeper. Both of us moaned at the heavenly feel of two becoming one.
What started off as frantic and needy turned into slow and beautiful. Like it always did with this amazing woman.
It didn’t take long before we were both whispering each other’s names and adorations of ecstasy against kiss-swollen lips.
I stepped off the elevator holding two containers filled with coffees, trying not to look like I’d just had sex. Wade followed behind me holding two more coffees.
“Lord, thank the stars above! Starbucks!” Aunt Vi said, making a beeline toward me.
The line quickly formed behind us as everyone grabbed coffees. Mitchell and Corina ended up stepping up together. They looked at each other before Mitchell grabbed a coffee and went back to his seat. Corina forced a smile and whispered, “Thank you.”
Waylynn was the last one to step up. Lifting her brow, she took the coffee. “So, how was the Holiday Inn Express?”
My cheeks heated under her stare.
“What?”
She leaned in closer. “Oh, please. You have that just-fucked look all over your face. Besides, I saw y’all racing into the hotel, you horny little bitch.”
I snarled at her. “You’re just jealous because I’m having sex and you’re not.”
Aunt Vi said, “Honestly, girls, we can all hear you. Who cares where the kids went. They brought coffee.”
I stuck my tongue out at Waylynn.
“Really grown up there, Amelia.” She leaned closer and whispered so only I could hear. “No wonder Chloe repeats everything you say.”
“Shut up!” I said.
“Make me!” Waylynn countered.
“Girls. Will you please stop fighting?” our mother asked.
I went to say something when Steed came into the waiting room and everyone jumped up. Chloe ran over to him. He bent down and captured her in his arms. Giving her a kiss, he whispered what I was guessing was the baby’s name. She wrapped her little arms around his neck and started crying.
My heart melted.
“That little girl slays me,” Waylynn said, wiping the tears from her face.
Steed cleared his throat. “We have a healthy, beautiful son.”
Cheers erupted and I felt my tears fall as I watched my brother crying.
“He’s beautiful. Perfect in every way imaginable.”
“Congratulations, son,” my father said, extending his hand.
“Thanks, Dad.”
Everyone took turns congratulating Steed and Chloe and looking at pictures on his phone.
“Wait! What is his name?” Waylynn asked.
Steed looked at Chloe and motio
ned for her to tell everyone.
“My new baby brother’s name is Gage!”
Everyone cheered, and I found myself crying again. My brother looked so incredibly happy.
The rest of the evening was spent taking turns meeting Gage. When it came time for me and Wade to meet the little guy, Chloe was passed out on the sofa in Paxton’s room.
I stepped into the room, inhaling deeply and grabbing Wade’s hand.
Paxton sat in bed, holding her little bundle of joy in her arms. I’d never seen her look so beautiful.
“Oh, my goodness,” I whispered, being careful not to wake up Chloe. “He is beautiful!”
A wide smile formed on Paxton’s face. I could see the tears building, but she managed to keep it together. Unlike me.
Sweeping the baby from her arms, I sat down in the chair and stared at him.
“He’s perfect.”
“I know,” Paxton replied. “He’s such a good baby, too. All these people in and out and he’s not once cried.”
“Just wait,” April, Paxton’s mom, said with a light chuckle. “He’s saving it all up for y’all.”
“Probably,” Paxton said with a grin.
We spent a few minutes visiting before I handed Gage to Steed.
“Paxton, you look exhausted,” I said. “I’m sure having the whole family here has been tiring.”
She shook her head and went to speak, but yawned instead.
“We’re going to leave, as well,” April said as she and David kissed Paxton goodbye. “Steed, you let us know if y’all need anything. We’ll come back tomorrow to see you and Gage.”
After Paxton’s parents left, it was only me and Wade. I glanced at Chloe. “How about we take Chloe home with us? We can have a good old-fashioned sleepover. Wade can make hamburgers and the whole works.”
Steed’s eyes lit up. “Amelia, if you do that, I would owe you big time.”
“Nonsense. That’s what sisters are for.”
When I turned around to say something to Paxton, she was sound asleep. I covered my mouth. “That poor thing,” I whispered.
Wade picked up Chloe and tucked her to his chest as we waved goodbye to Steed.
As we walked to the elevator I shook my head. “I know I’ve already said this once today, but when the time comes, and we have a baby, I’m not letting that dog and pony show go on for hours. Poor Paxton!”
Wade chuckled. “Yeah, I’m going to have to agree. I love your family, but wow.”
The drive back to the ranch took over an hour. There was no way Chloe was waking up, so I put her in the guest bedroom next to my room before heading down to the family room. My father and Wade were sitting on the sofa drinking what looked like whiskey.
“I don’t think Chloe will be waking up for the rest of the night,” I said. “So much for a fun sleepover.”
My father grinned. “It’s been a big day for her.”
Sinking into the oversized chair, I pulled my legs up to my chest. “So, Daddy, are you still gonna give Wade his week off?”
“You never ate lunch with us.”
“We spent hours in a waiting room together! That doesn’t count?”
He tried to hide his smile, but couldn’t. “What would you do with a whole week?”
I peeked over at Wade. “I was thinking a trip to New Orleans.”
Wade’s eyes lit up, and he sat up a little bit taller. “New Orleans? I’ve always wanted to go there.”
I turned to my father and gave him puppy dog eyes. “See, look at that, Daddy. Wade has come in and literally turned this ranch around! Have you seen the east pasture?”
My father nodded and sipped his whiskey. “I have. Wade’s been an invaluable asset to the ranch, there is no doubt about that.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.”
“John, for heaven’s sake. Let the boy have a week off. Don’t you remember what it was like to be young and in love?”
We all turned to see Aunt Vi walking in. Her face was covered in a green facemask.
“What in the world do you have on your face, Vi?” my father asked.
She made her way over to the minibar and poured a straight shot of whiskey. In one gulp, it was gone.
Glancing at us, my father said, “My older sister always could drink me under the table.”
“Damn straight, I could. It’s a beauty mask, John. Haven’t you ever seen Melanie wear one to bed?”
He stared at her like she was an alien. “No, I can honestly say in all my years of marriage, my wife has never come to bed looking like a relative of E.T.”
Wade and I chuckled. Aunt Vi gave my father the finger.
“If you get this week off, will you spend part of it slaving over that house?” Vi asked.
I chewed on my lip before slipping out of my seat and sitting next to Wade. “Actually, I was thinking we’d spend the whole time in New Orleans. Do some research for a historical book I’m writing and maybe a little shopping for the new house. I’d love to visit a plantation or two, as well.”
Aunt Vi let out a long, loud sigh. “New Orleans. One of the most romantic cities in the south. I have a friend, you can stay with her. I’ll make all the arrangements.”
I tensed up. “Well, Aunt Vi, I appreciate that, but I was kind of hoping for us to, um…” Peeking over to my father, I added, “Be alone.”
She laughed. “Oh, hell, Lou Anne won’t be there. She’s in New York. She owns a house in the Garden District.”
I jumped up and gasped. “What? Aunt Vi, don’t play around with me. Are you serious?”
Aunt Vi smiled big. “Five bedroom, five bathroom, over nine-thousand square feet. You could…be alone…all over that house.”
“Oh, for Christ’s sake,” Daddy said, standing up. “It’s been a long day. Take the week, Wade, hell, take two if it gets my sister to stop talking.”
I jumped up, running to my father to hug him. Wade shook his hand and said, “Thank you, sir, but I’m good with the one.”
My father’s brow lifted. “Right. Good night, kids… Vi, don’t drink all my damn whiskey.”
My aunt lifted her hand and waved her long, manicured fingers after my father. “Night, little brother.”
When he left the room, she winked at us. “I know he’s going to miss me when I move out.”
I sat down on the floor in front of her. “Do you think your friend will let us stay in her house?”
She nodded. “Of course, she will. She wouldn’t have that house if it wasn’t for me. I made the woman millions of dollars years ago when I told her how to invest.”
I glanced at Wade. “Are you up for an adventure?”
The smile on his face said it all.
We were going to New Orleans.
New Orleans
The taxi pulled up to Lou Anne’s house on Prytania Street. The first thing I noticed was the large porch and the huge, white pillars. The black shutters ran the entire length of the windows.
“Wow,” Wade and I said at once.
“This is it,” the taxi driver said. Wade paid him and headed up the steps that lead to the giant porch with our suitcases.
“This house is amazing.”
“And we aren’t even through the front door yet,” Wade replied with a laugh.
I took the key and unlocked the large front door. I slowly pushed it open and we both stared into the house. The long, yellow corridor was flanked with antique furniture on both sides. An old church pew sat on one side and a large curio cabinet covered the opposite wall.
We stepped inside and Wade shut the door behind us. Making my way in, I marveled at the artwork on the walls.
“Look at this. It’s stunning!”
Wade leaned closer to the frames. “Same painter. Looks like it’s here in New Orleans.”
“Maybe it’s a local painter. I’ll Google it later.”
Wade chuckled. “Okay, let’s look around the house.”
We walked into the parlor first. The dark blue
walls popped against the wood trim and wood ceiling. Not to mention the black fireplace.
“Oh, wow. What a beautiful color. I wonder what it’s called,” I said, running my hand along the antique furniture.
“Look at the window. Floor to ceiling, like in our house.”
My heart skipped a beat when Wade said our house. It was clearly his house, but I loved that he thought of it as ours.
“Look at the yellow in the dining room,” I said. “And the fireplace!”
Wade walked to the fireplace. “Looks like the original surround. I swear it looks like the one in our master bedroom.”
I nodded, taking my phone out and snapping a picture.
We made our way through the formal living room and all the bedrooms. Each had a fireplace that was nicer than the previous one.
Wade pulled me into his arms and said, “Okay, we looked at every bedroom. Which one do you want to sleep in?”
“Well, not the master, that’s Lou Anne’s. What about the one with the light blue on the walls? It’s so romantic, and I bet with the fire going it will be amazing when we make love.”
With his dimples on full display, Wade nodded. “Now let’s go to the basement. Vi said there was a wine cellar and game room.”
Leading us down the stairs, I said, “Aunt Vi was so right about this house. We could have sex in as many rooms as possible and still not get to all of them in the seven days we’re here.”
“I still can’t believe you talked your dad into seven days. You are a negotiator, Amelia Parker.”
“Being the baby girl has its advantages, right?”
I stepped into the game room and jumped for joy. “Look at the big-screen TV! We can watch movies down here and feel like we’re at the movies!”
Wade agreed. “Yeah, this is pretty amazing.”
Wade grabbed a bottle of wine, and we made our way upstairs. We stopped and stared, taking in the massive kitchen.
I ran my fingers along the cold marble island. “Oh, we are so having sex on this.”
Pulling me to him, Wade ran his lips along my neck. “Right now I think bending you over this table is what I want to do.”
My stomach pulled with instant desire. “I like that idea.”
Wade’s hand found its way under my dress and inside my panties. He closed his eyes, a low growl slipping from the back of his throat. “Damn, darlin’. You’re wet.”