My hand flies to my mouth. “Oh my God. Is she okay? What about the baby?”
He smiles. “They’re both fine now.”
Reaching out, he uncrosses my legs and picks me up by the waist. My legs go around his hips as he settles me back on his lap facing him.
Laughing, I ask, “What are you doing?”
His grin lights his eyes. “You were too far away.”
Dropping my hands to his chest, I bring my face close to his. “Do you think Dad would freak if we snuck out and went to your place?”
He chuckles. “No guesses are needed for that question. He will definitely freak out.”
“Damn.” I sigh.
He moves his face closer to mine. “Impatient to get my cock in you?”
I nod rapidly, making him laugh.
His smile fades after a moment. “I think we should wait a few days.” His eyes move down to the bruise on my jaw. “You just had a horrific experience.”
I dip my head, reclaiming his eyes. “No,” I say. “I’m not giving Dillon that power.” He doesn’t look convinced. “I’m fine, August. I swear.”
Some of the worry lines fade from his face. “Okay.”
“Besides,” I smile coyly at him. “There’s still quite a few dirty things you need to teach me.”
His grin is naughty. “I believe you’re right, Miss Hendrix.” He palms my butt to slide me firmer against him. “I’ve got a few dirty things in mind right now.”
My stomach dips and shivers race up and down my spine in anticipation.
Mr. Monroe taught me dirty, but he also taught me how to love.
Epilogue
AUGUST
“Let’s go Brandon!”
I laugh and shake my head as my wife struggles to get up from her chair. She starts clapping and yelling obnoxiously as a group of ten-year-old’s race down the field toward the net. Our son, Brandon, kicks the ball deftly, surprising us all at how much of a natural he is.
We signed him up for soccer through the community when he was seven after we caught him watching a game on TV. He was enraptured. The moment the game was over, he asked if he could have a soccer ball. He’s loved the sport ever since.
Rachel, Luna’s mother, shoots up out of her chair and both women, along with the crowd, go wild when Brandon shoots the ball past the goalie and into the net. Pride fills my chest as I watch my son be congratulated by his teammates.
“Looks like you might have a professional player in the making.”
I look over at Kian and flash a grin. “If he keeps his love for the game and continues like he is, it wouldn’t surprise me.”
It took a while and it was rocky at first, but Luna’s father and I finally came to an understanding. After Luna graduated high school, she and I moved in together a couple towns over from Silver Falls to be closer to the college she would be attending, while I worked in the high school there. Kian hated it, of course, but he knew there was nothing he could do. He went ballistic and almost took my head off when a year after that, Luna announced she was pregnant. We continued to be reckless and never used condoms, so the news wasn’t that surprising to us. I was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to start a family. But a small part of me felt guilty and worried. She was young and barely in her first year of college. Being a mother in college wasn’t going to be easy. I left the decision up to her on whether she wanted to continue or quit for the time being and go back after the baby was born. She chose to stay in school, and damn, I was amazed at her strength and perseverance.
Luna Monroe is the most amazing woman I’ve ever met, and I’m one lucky son-of-a-bitch to have her as my wife.
The whistle blows, announcing the end of the game. Our team beat the opponents seven to two. These games are just for fun and the scores don’t mean anything to the player’s future, but I can’t help but be proud of Brandon and his teammates.
Kian and I walk toward the women and take over for them when they start folding the chairs.
Luna turns to me, her smile bright and taking up her whole face. “Did you see that last goal? Brandon was amazing!”