Branded As Trouble(29)
India rolled her eyes. “I was hoping for two days.”
“Be glad I didn’t go with my original plan of two months.”
“That’s just cruel, McKay.”
“I’ve—we’ve—waited this long, a couple of weeks will be a snap.” He ran his knuckles down the side of her neck.
India leaned forward and kissed him. “I’m gonna so love tempting you into giving in before the official time is up.”
“You can try. But I can be damn stubborn.”
A cry sounded from the baby monitor. Then silence. When he looked back at her, she was yawning.
“Let’s call it a night. How about you check on the girls, I’ll set the alarm system and track down blankets and pillows?”
“Sounds like a plan.” India popped up off the couch like a jack in the box.
Less than five minutes later, they looked at the couch and then at each other. “What now?”
“Now we do what parents with little kids do. We fall into bed, exhausted, with thoughts of raunchy, hot sex the furthest thing from our minds.”
“That’ll work. But if you snore, I’m punching you in the nose.”
Colt tumbled them onto the couch, wrapped her in his arms and felt at home for the first time in years.
***
“But I really am a princess,” India read. She covered her hand with her mouth and yawned.
The book jiggled and an impatient Eliza said, “Innie. Read.”
“Eliza, we’ve read this book twice already. It’s boring me. Can’t we read something else?” Headlights swept across the living room windows. “Hey. I think your mom and dad are home.”
The book flew and Eliza slid off the couch. She ran to the foyer and jumped up and down in front of the window.
The door opened and Eliza launched herself at the first person through the doorway.
“Daddy!”
Kade dropped the overnight bag and scooped Eliza into his arms. “Whatcha doin’ up, girly? It’s past your bedtime.” He kissed her cheeks and her forehead and the crown of her head.
Lord. He was so wrapped around her finger it wasn’t funny.
“I miss you, Daddy.”
“Missed you too, princess. Let’s move outta the way so Mama can get in.”
The second Skylar came in Eliza wiggled to be let down and threw herself at Sky. “Mama!”
“Whoa.” She lifted Eliza and the little girl clung to her neck. “It’s good to be missed.”
India hung back while Eliza chattered away at her amused parents.
“…an’ unka Cole an’ me frowed rocks.”
Kade looked at India. “Colt was here?”
“He came by to help out.”
“Did the girls give you enough trouble so you had to call in reinforcements?”
“Yes. My God, at one point I think we all were crying at the same time.”
Skylar laughed. “Not as easy as it looks, is it?”
“I never said it was, Sis.”
“Shannie and Peyton asleep?” Kade asked.
“I put them down about an hour ago.”
“We’ve got a couple hours before they’re up again,” Sky said. “Thanks for pinch hitting, India. We really appreciate it.”
“So you guys had a good time?”
Kade grinned. “Oh yeah.”
Skylar blushed and handed Eliza to India. “Give your Auntie Indy a bye-bye kiss and Daddy will tuck you in.”
“Unka Cole kiss Innie bye-bye too.”
India whispered, “You are a traitor, Eliza Belle. See if you get cookies from me again.” Then she blew a raspberry on her neck.
Eliza giggled and held her arms out to Skylar. “Mama tuck me.”
“I’ll be up in a minute,” Kade said to Skylar’s back.
“Well, I’m pooped. I don’t know how you guys do it.”
“Take it day by day. Sometimes hour by hour.”
Almost word for word on how to deal with addiction, but India doubted Kade would appreciate the comparison.
“Twins were a surprise, that’s for damn sure. Not that I’m complainin’.” He smiled. “Much as I love our girls, I love spendin’ time alone with my wife, so thanks.”
“You guys deserve it.” She picked up her overnight bag. “And you’re welcome. See you later.”
“Huh-uh, not so fast. Tell me about this goodbye kiss Uncle Colt laid on you that impressed Eliza.”
Dammit. “It was no big deal.”
“So, it ain’t gonna bother Colt if I tell him you said that kiss wasn’t a big deal?”
India spun around. “Don’t say that to him.”
“Your words, not mine.”
“Fine. It was a big deal, okay? A very, very big deal. And while I’m confessing, you should know he spent the night here too.”