There is more excited clapping, and then Rebecca asks, “Is Regina coming with us?”
I shake my head.
“Regina has been stuck with us for a while now, and she needs a break. She gets to take a vacation away from you little monkeys.” I shoot a look at the beautiful brunette, and she appears calm, at least on the outside.
“Are you sure you don’t need me to come help?” Regina asks quietly.
“My mom and dad wouldn’t let you lift a finger,” I say. “And they would never give us a moment to ourselves.” Realizing what I’ve just said, I quickly turn to the kids. “Right kids? They always have lots of fun things for us to do when we’re at their place, right?”
There’s a chorus of agreement and I smile as Rico says, “I’ll get everybody started on packing.”
Just like that, all of the kids rush from the room, but Rebecca runs back and throws her arms around Regina again. “I’ll write you an email every day!” She turns to me and says, “You’ll help me, right Daddy?”
“Of course I will, princess.” My daughter smiles and then darts out of the dining room, leaving Regina and I alone.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come along?” she asks.
I shake my head.
“You need a vacation, sweetheart. Hell, we all need a vacation after that.” Then, I sigh. “Maybe I didn’t phrase that right. I want you to come along, but not in the way you think. I want to leave the kids with my parents and spend two weeks in a hotel room with you. We won’t even need to go outside because I’ll keep you busy underneath me.”
She blushes at my words, and her eyes sparkle. I love that we’ve had sex every night over the past few weeks, but talking about it still makes her shy. She’s wanton in our bedroom, but occasionally my filthy mouth still shocks her. I cover her small hand with my own.
“No, I’m serious, sweetheart. You really do deserve a vacation, and if you’re at my parents’ with us, you won’t get a chance to rest. Take this opportunity to get some spa treatments and treat yourself, baby. I’ll give you some walkabout money.”
Her cheeks blush.
“Oh Ryan, that’s not necessary.”
I shake my head and squeeze her hand.
“Yes, it is. I want you lovely, lush, and well-rested after we get back from my parents’ place. The better to have my way with you,” I add with a louche grin. She giggles, and then speaks.
“Well, I did promise my mom I would see her after we were finally allowed to leave. I suppose I could go spend a day or two with her.”
I smile.
“Go, sweetheart. Say hello to your mom. She’s probably worried sick about you ever since hearing about the fire.”
Regina nods.
“She knows we’re okay, but she’ll be happy to see me in person.”
I nod and squeeze her hand again.
“Don’t worry about a thing with us. Ursula will be back tomorrow, so she’ll take care of the house, and my parents will help with the kids. Go.”
Regina nods. “I get it. You’re trying to get rid of me.”
I pull her in for a deep kiss, leaving her breathless at the breakfast table. Her mouth tastes of sweet syrup, and I don’t even care anymore if my kids see.
“I’m not trying to get rid of you,” I breathe into her mouth. “Nothing would make me happier than keeping you at my side, Regina. But go so that your family doesn’t think that I’m a tyrant for manipulating all your time. I want to meet them someday, and it’s better to create a good first impression now.”
She gasps, her cheeks blushing.
“You want to meet them?”
I nod.
“Someday. Why not?”
She bites her lip.
“Well, I just didn’t think …”
I smile wryly at her.
“Didn’t think we had potential for the long-term? I don’t think so, Regina. You’re part of my life now. A very enjoyable, lush part, whom I want well-rested when we come back. So go.”
Regina laughs again, but this time I can see hope in her chocolate eyes. Her cheeks are pink, and she’s so lovely and happy that suddenly, I know that this is what I want. I want to devote my life to making her happy, and I lean over to give her one last kiss.
“Go pack,” I say. “We’ll be back in no time.”
This time, she kisses me back before pulling away.
“Don’t get up to any trouble while you’re away,” she says lightly before standing from the breakfast table.
I swat her round ass once more as she prances away.
“Oh, I won’t.”
Of course, our antics don’t stop there. Despite my best intentions, I end up following Regina upstairs, and we end up making love. This time, it’s passionate yet quiet, knowing that everyone in the house is awake. Thirty minutes later, she steps out of the shower and I watch the water glistening on her beautiful body as she wraps herself in a robe and disappears from view.