“He really is,” Savannah agrees. “My favorite fat, fluffy superhero.”
“Mine too. Cassie invited me to have a bunking party with George and his family tonight.” Bea smiles at me with the same mischievous energy as the raccoon who’s waddling over to join Cassie, the hedgehogs, and two toddlers—one boy, one girl—whose hands she’s now holding. “May I, Papa? I promise I’ll behave.”
Savannah squeezes my waist. “I think that sounds like amazing fun.”
“And then you can treat Savannah to a proper date,” Bea adds with a wink. “Girls like proper dates.”
“Are you conspiring, my sweet child?” I ask her.
Her grin is all the answer I need.
I love Savannah. Beatrice loves Savannah. Savannah loves us.
And now Savannah’s ex-husband is headed back to prison, helped along by a sheriff’s deputy who’s just arrived on the scene.
The “Mama Wants Some Lovin’” team of senior citizens emerge from the factory a few moments later, and together they hold aloft the prize, which appears to be some kind of medal.
“Beatrice, Logan, and Clover are about due for an afternoon snack,” Cassie says. “Would you like to join us?”
“Oh, yes, Colin, do join us!” Olivia slides over beside us again. This time, Jace is with her, carrying the little girl previously tagging along with Cassie. “I would love to get to know you better.”
Jace eyes me, then Savannah, and then me again. “Me too, assuming I’ll never have to tie you up with fuzzy handcuffs I borrowed from an adult toy factory while chasing away a woman who dresses like a sheep. You’re not going to make me do that, right?”
My eyeballs bulge. “Dear God, no.”
He nods once, then smirks. “Good. Welcome to Happy Cat.”
“Ignore Mr. Moody,” the man in the firefighter uniform says as he swoops up the smaller toddler. “We’re glad to have you, Colin. Cassie’s told us all about you. You’re quite the regular topic of conversation between my wife and Van.”
“Can we please save ambushing my poor Colin until after we’ve both recovered from jet lag?” Savannah interrupts. She yawns, loud and long. “I’m so tired. I need a nap. Don’t you, Colin?”
“Yes,” I answer without hesitation. “A very, very long nap.”
“I hate naps,” Beatrice mutters.
“You might not when you’re older,” Cassie says with a wink.
The adults all laugh.
Except me.
And Savannah.
We lock eyes, and I know what she wants.
She wants me.
And I am officially the happiest man on earth.
Chapter Ten
Colin
Savannah’s home is as whimsical, bright, and beautiful as she is, but I don’t spare the décor more than a glance. I’m too focused on the gorgeous woman pulling me through the door and kissing me with enough heat to set ten sheep coats on fire.
“You’re sure you don’t mind leaving your prize behind?” I murmur as I lift her into my arms.
Her legs go around my waist. “I have my prize right here,” she whispers against my lips. “And I can’t wait to attend five senior weddings later this year. Those ladies know how to tear it up on the dance floor.”
“I want to dance with you.” I dig my fingers into her hips through her soft leggings. “I want to do everything with you.”
“Yes, please,” she says between kisses. “The bedroom is that way. Please go that way. As fast as you possibly can.”
I break into a run that makes her giggle and screech, “Too fast, too fast!” She’s still laughing as I toss her on a big, fluffy white bed, but her smile fades as I reach for the top button on my shirt.
Her tongue slips out to dampen her lips, and a hungry sound vibrates low in her throat. “I can’t decide if I want you to go fast so I can finally see you naked or slow to draw out the excitement even more.”
“How about both?” I move my fingers quickly down the row of buttons as I toe off my shoes and socks. “Fast first because I can’t wait to touch you. Then as slow and seductive as you’d like the next time around. I’ll even do a striptease if you’d like.”
“Oh, I would like. My stuffy, sugar-free Colin bumping and grinding for me sounds delicious.”
“Only for you, love.” I shove my pants to the floor and crawl up to join her on the bed in nothing but my boxer briefs. She sighs as I lengthen myself on top of her, and my heart nearly bursts from my chest.
“I can’t believe this is real,” I confess. “I’ve dreamt about this so many times, and now…you’re finally here. Finally mine.”
“Yes. Yes. I’m all yours.” She strokes my erection through the thin cotton. “And I want to be yours even more, in every way. I love you so much. Let’s always love each other and never hurt each other and live happily ever after, okay?”
“I’ll never hurt you, sweetheart,” I say, kissing her softly this time. This kiss is a promise, a vow. “I will fight for you and laugh with you and make big, beautiful plans with you, and I will never do a single thing to dim your light or break your heart.”