“Should I put him in his crib?” I asked her softly. I tried not to think too much about the time I’d missed, but little things like this reminded me and I hated that I didn’t know. Does he sleep better in the carrier or the crib? Is he a light sleeper? Does he like to be rocked, sung to, snuggled? I wasn’t even sure if it was his actual nap time.
Aspen meandered over to where I was standing and gazed down at our little boy, adoration washing over her face. Fuck, she was gorgeous. She ran a finger down his chubby cheek and smiled when he scrunched up his little button nose before settling back down.
“You can leave him in the carrier, no sense waking him up to put him in the crib.” She raised her eyes and something in my expression must have clued her in to my internal struggle. “He’s not a light sleeper, but Carter has an uncanny ability to recognize he’s in my arms no matter how long.” She giggled and it was adorable. “Our boy is a major snuggler and even if I’m just moving him from one place to another, I swear, the second I put him down, he starts fussing.”
She sighed lightly and adopted a rueful smile. “I’m sure it will bite me in the ass when he gets older, but I just can’t resist it when he wants to cuddle. It won’t be long until he thinks I have girl cooties.”
I leaned over far enough to whisper my lips over hers. “I’ll always want your cooties all over me, beautiful,” I told her with a wink.
She laughed, her smile warm and inviting. I was still struggling with the idea that this was all a dream and eventually, I’d wake up and it would be gone in a poof. I was desperate to make sure I never lost this again. I needed a ring on her finger, for her and Carter to share my last name, and to put another baby in her belly. Everything and anything that would make it clear to the world that they were mine.
Now seemed as good a time as any to start this conversation. I took Carter back to his room and set him down then turned on the monitor and grabbed the other half before returning to the living room. I took a seat on the couch and held out a hand, beckoning her forward. “C’mere,” I urged. When she didn’t make a move right away, I scowled. “Aspen,” I warned in a dark tone. “Get your ass over here.”
Her eyes narrowed, but she made her way over and plopped down on the other end of the couch. “For fuck’s sake,” I muttered. “Were you always this stubborn?” Reaching out, I snaked a hand around her waist and hauled her over, not just to my side, but into my lap, and locked my arms around her.
I settled back, getting comfy, and after a minute, she gave in and relaxed against my chest. “It’s time for you admit that you’re mine, beautiful.” I kissed the top of her head and squeezed her a little closer.
“Have you heard me disputing that?” she asked sassily.
I stamped down a chuckle at her cheeky question. “I’m just making things as clear as possible. There have been enough misunderstandings between us already.”
She put a hand on my chest and laid her head next to it, right over my heart, making a small sound of agreement.
“I asked the realtor to expedite everything and we’ll be moving in less than three weeks.”
At that, she sat up abruptly and stared at me with wide eyes. “About that,” she started. My brow furrowed in suspicion, quite sure I wasn’t going to like whatever shit she said next. “It’s an incredible house, Weston. But, I could never afford to live there with you. I don’t start back at work for another week. And even then, I wouldn’t be able to contribute much to the expenses.”
I sat back and processed what she’d just said. Then laughter bubbled up and I couldn’t keep it in. Her cute little glare only amused me even more. “You’re fucking adorable.” I said when I’d calmed. “I’m going to pretend you were joking and only say this once, because if it happens again, I’ll be insulted and spank your sweet little ass.”
Her mouth dropped open in a little O of surprise, but I passed it right on by and kept talking. “I take care of my family”—I stabbed my chest with my thumb—“Got it? You can work if you want to, or not. But under no circumstances will you be paying for anything.”
She started to shake her head and I cradled her face in my hands, stopping her protests with a deep, wet kiss. “Besides,” I continued after I pulled back. “My grandparents left me a trust and I don’t exactly make peanuts in the CIA.” I smiled, my humor dissolving into love, and I allowed her to see some of my vulnerability. “Please, Aspen. Don’t argue with me. Just let me take care of you. Let me be your man, the person who protects you and makes sure you want for nothing.”