“Okay.” Sera smiled down at him. “Send me that picture. See you soon, Mom. Yes, I’m happy, too. I am really happy, and I’ll talk to you later this afternoon. Thank you for taking care of Luc. Yeah. I love you, too.”
He’d put that smile on her face. That breathy, almost anticipatory sound was because of him, and it made him feel like he was the damn king of the world. She’d seen him in all his missing-limbed glory and she’d still wanted him. She’d still let him press her down into the bed and take her in the sweetest way possible. She’d accepted him.
“What picture?” He needed her to understand that he knew she was a package deal.
He was ready to spend real time with that kid. He was ready to see if they could work as a family. Damn but he was ready for a family.
She stared down at the phone, moving her finger across it and then turning it his way. “Luc got out of bed, but Shep took care of him. Oh, it’s so sweet. Look at them.”
He looked at the phone, and the picture there damn near melted his heart. It was of a little boy curled up on Shep. He’d pulled his blanket with him and had covered himself up. His head was resting on Shep’s chest and the dog was curved around him protectively. The deep affection between the two was unmistakable.
They might be soulmates. Like him and Seraphina.
Should he even be thinking that way? It was far too early but he couldn’t help it. He knew what was in his heart. She was.
He stared up at her and the moment held. She went still for a moment, her eyes on him and a heaviness in her gaze.
“Did you tell your mom you’re with me?” He knew what she’d said, but they needed to acknowledge it. It was important.
“I did.” She put her hand on his chest. “I told you. I’m in. I’m all in. I won’t pretend or hide it. I know that’s what you want.”
“Why do I want it?”
She was quiet for a moment, and he worried he’d pushed her too far. But then her hand moved over his chest, stroking him. “Because you’re serious about me.”
He caught her hand and held it against his heart. “I am very serious about you.”
Her eyes closed. “I’m serious about you, too.”
“Then kiss me, because we can take a little time. Luc is safe. I’ll get ready in a couple of minutes and then I’ll grab some coffee for us before we head back into town. But right now, I want you to kiss me and drop the blanket because you’re the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
She loomed over him, her hair creating a waterfall around her and framing that smile that got his heart going. “You’re not so bad yourself, Jefferys.”
She leaned over and brushed her lips against his. Once and then again.
It was all he needed. He sank his hands into her hair and dragged her down on top of him, his arms winding around her.
He kissed her over and over again. This was how every single day should start, but he knew it would be a while before they could do this again. Somehow he didn’t think he would stay over at her house, and she definitely wouldn’t be staying at Beaumont House.
He knew he was going to have to deal with his aunt, but in that moment he couldn’t care. He would find a way to spend sweet time with Sera, and it wouldn’t be some quickie.
He wouldn’t be having one of those today, either. He sighed and lifted his head. “I should go and get that coffee because . . . well, you know why.”
Because he’d been prepared for one encounter. Not two.
“Who would have guessed I would be the one who needed the box of condoms?” Sera asked with an impish grin.
He might pick some up when he grabbed their coffees. “Give me fifteen minutes.”
She shook her head and pushed against his chest, staring down at him. “You don’t need fifteen minutes. You didn’t need anything last night to make me happy. Anything but your lips and tongue and that creative brain of yours.”
His whole body went electric at her words. The night before he’d found himself unprepared for another round, but he hadn’t wanted to stop. He’d wanted every second of pleasure and connection he could have with her, so he’d kissed his way down her body and worshipped her with his mouth. Nothing had ever made him feel as good as Sera crying out his name and clinging to him.
But the feel of her lips on his neck, kissing her way down his chest while her hands caressed his skin, came close.
She showed him absolutely no mercy. There wasn’t an inch of skin she didn’t lavish her affection on.