“I know, I just don’t want her to worry.”
The line went silent. I talked to my brother about lots of things, but never my relationship or any of the troubles we were having; however, the truth was I had to talk to someone. I was afraid that both issues may just be the push our relationship needed to end it all.
“Is everything okay between you two?” Hunter questioned.
I twirled my pen between my fingers. After he had confided in me last year about things with Autumn, I knew without a doubt he would listen. I drew in a deep breath. “I’m not sure. Things been different lately. I feel like I am losing her.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s almost like we don’t know each other anymore. She’s short with me, barely looks at me, and we have been arguing a lot.”
“I think you guys just need some time alone. This weekend away is going to be good for both of you. You need to find your way back to each other. I’ve noticed a difference since Kaylee was born, I won’t lie. But, man, if things aren’t feeling right between you, don’t let something so innocent and work related get between you. Tell her the truth about what has been going on. Let her know you are seeing Felice and Mike while you are away. She may not like it, but at least your conscience is clean.”
My younger brother seemed to finally have his shit all together. I had aided him in getting there, maybe I should listen to him now. Maybe it was my turn. “I’ll tell her. Listen, I got to go and get into bed. Early morning.”
“No problem, I have to call Autumn anyway. I promised I would when I finished tonight. I’ll be in touch tomorrow. Oh and if she isn’t too receptive to what you have to tell her, you do know that you have a place on my couch, right?” he chuckled.
I let out a small laugh. “Sounds good, thanks. Talk to you soon.”
“Yep, oh and Carter?”
“Yeah?”
“For fuck’s sake, shut the damn computer off and go make love to your wife.”
He was gone after that. I hung up the phone and sat back against my chair, laughing at what he had just said. That was my brother, always about the pussy. I looked down to my wedding picture that had sat on my desk for the past ten years. Hope was so beautiful that day, and still to this day, there was no doubt in my mind that I was in love with her. Maybe Hunter was right—we just needed to take the time and find one another again.
I set my phone down and went to get up when it vibrated again. Felice’s name flashed across the screen: “Let me know when you arrive. Dinner might be a good idea, just to get um reacquainted.”
I frowned. I didn’t need dinner to look over fucking adoption documents. I deleted the message without responding and left my office. As I walked down the hall I stopped and checked on both the girls, covering both, and then made my way down to our bedroom.
The bedside light was still on, casting a warm glow over the room; the TV was playing a repeat ofFriends. Hope was on her side, facing away from me, uncovered. I shut the television off and looked over at Hope. She lay there, her little white tank top short enough to show off her perfect ass in my favorite black thong. I felt my cock stiffen at the sight as I stripped out of my shirt and pants. I crawled in and inched my way up behind her, placing a single kiss on her shoulder. I ran my hand over her hip and down her soft, silky leg.
“I tried to wait up,” she murmured in the sleepiest, sexiest voice I had heard in a while.
My fingers traveled back up her leg, over her thigh, and hooked in under the edge of her panties. Pulling them down, I placed a kiss on her hip. I was throbbing, I was so hard, and I was growing harder with each second that passed. It had been almost five weeks since I felt myself buried deep in her, her legs wrapped around me, moaning as I pounded into her. My fingers dug into her skin as I gripped her hip, pulling her closer to me. She rolled over onto her back, running her fingers through my hair and shattered any hopes that I had of repeating that night. “Not tonight, baby. It’s late and I have to be up early to take Mackenzie for her dance photographs.”
She placed a soft kiss on my cheek and rolled back over, pulling the blankets over her body. I lay back against my pillow, Hunter’s words running through my mind. I wanted to make love to her, but every single time I had tried over the past four weeks, I had gotten shot down. I was seriously starting to doubt my confidence. She never turned me away this often. I lay there, letting her take her beautiful body and eyes away from me, and I tried to rid my mind of those dirty thoughts.
Chapter Two
Hope
Ihad been planning ourten-year anniversary weekend for months, and it was finally here. We were headed to Briar’s Vineyard for dinner, a new upscale restaurant and winery that only served the finest foods. Then we were off to spend two nights at Everland Hotel and Spa, the newest hotel in King’s Cove Harbour. This weekend needed to be special; I needed it to be special. I planned to tell Carter about the baby, and I prayed he would be happy and that it wouldn’t ruin our weekend, but I feared it would. I stood at the bottom of the stairs, glancing at my watch. It was already three. Dad would be here any minute to pick up the girls.
“Let’s go, girls. Grandpa will be here soon.” Just as the words left my lips, I turned to see my father’s car pull into the driveway.
I pulled their little suitcases over to the door and opened it just before Dad rang the bell. “Hello there, how’s my girl?” Dad said, pulling me in for a hug.
“Good, Dad. Sorry, I’m trying to get those granddaughters of yours ready.” I wrapped my arms around him, taking in the hug he gave, which was always so warm. There was something about a hug from your father when things were bothering you that could always calm your soul, and mine needed calming.
“It’s okay, I don’t mind visiting with my girl for a bit.” He stepped inside and removed his shoes, and together we walked into the kitchen. I grabbed the juice from the fridge and poured us both a glass as my father took a seat at the breakfast bar.
“Mom! Mom! Is it okay if we take a bunch of our dolls to Grandpa’s?”
I shook my head at my dad and smiled. “Girls, we have gone over this already—coloring books, crayons, and one stuffy each, along with one bedtime story. Now Grandpa is here, and you do have a bit of a way to travel, so you better go and get your things ready.”
“Okay.” They both walked away in a pout. “I told you she would say no,” Mackenzie whimpered.