“Speaking of babies.”
I lifted my head. “What?”
“When can we have another one?”
I arched a brow. “The one we have is only a few months old.”
“He’s perfect, isn’t he? I want to fill our house with more babies like him.”
I laughed, loving how open and loving Max was with me. “Perhaps we could practice a bit longer.”
“Like this?” He withdrew and thrust in again, making me gasp at the sweet pleasure.
“Yes. More.”
His lips trailed along my collarbone as he moved against me, in me, until we were both gasping and reaching for bliss.
“Now, baby, now.”
His words sent me soaring, crying out as pleasure washed through me. Max let go, cried out, and soared with me.
Fifteen minutes later, a knock came on the front door.
“We cut that close,” I said as Max zipped up my dress.
“It was worth it.” He kissed my neck. "I'll get it. It's probably the troops." Max went to the front door.
I went to check on Andy, finding him awake, watching his mobile. “Hey, sweetie.” I picked him and brought him to the living room where Max’s parents and Vivie had arrived.
"Where is my grandson?" His mother made a beeline to me.
“He just woke up. Would you like to feed him?”
Max’s mother smiled widely. "Would I ever."
It was wonderful to have family with us at Christmas. Max's family was staying with us, and tomorrow afternoon, his brother, Sam, his wife, Kate, and their new baby would be joining us as well. Because we were having Christmas in Las Vegas, it meant that James could be with us too. There was no way to express my gratitude for Max's family’s willingness to have the holidays here so that James could join in.
"I think everything's okay," Vivie said with a laugh. "In fact, if you wanted to take the whole night off, or heck, even the whole month, I'm sure Mom and Dad would be perfectly happy to babysit."
"She's not lying," Max's father said as he leaned over his wife's shoulder and kissed Andy on the head.
"A few hours is all we need,” I said. The truth was a few hours was all I'd be able to tolerate being away from my little angel.
My brother had gone all out for the office party. He knew he needed to boost morale with the staff, as well as impress members of the board. He had also invited prestigious members of the community, hoping to show off a newer, kinder Dunsmore family business.
The poor guy was working himself ragged to save my father's company. Sometimes, I wondered why he bothered. He was smart and capable. He could start his own company or go be the CEO of someone else's company. But he was dedicated to making this one work. In fact, I think there was a part of him that wanted to make the company his, purge all aspects of my father out of it, sort of in the same way Max and I followed through on the annulment to cut my father out of our relationship.
The guests were drinking expensive champagne and enjoying fancy catered food. They all looked like they were having a good time, except for James, who stood in the corner.
As Max went to get us something to drink, I went over to my brother. "You're doing a great job, James. Look at everyone here. You should smile and not look so sour."
He scowled at me. "You will not believe with those motherfuckers did to me today."
I frowned. "What motherfuckers?"
"The board. I have been busting my nuts for the last ten months, but they still feel like the company is at risk of falling under another scandal."
"We can't help what's going on with Dad."