Reluctantly Royal(77)

“Did you co-sleep? I’m scared I’ll squish her.” Sam sighed. “Alex’s family all co-slept when they were little. He thinks I’m silly.”

“I didn’t really have much choice.” I shrugged. I’d been lucky to have a bed at all. My father had kicked me out as soon as he found out I was pregnant. I’d lived with my granddad until I could stand on my own two feet. “There are things you can buy to help with that. Little beds that go on your bed so you can’t roll over and hurt him. Or bassinets that go right next to the bed.”

“It must’ve been very difficult.” Sam looked at me with compassion-filled eyes. “But what an amazing job you’ve done.”

“Thank you.”

By the time dinner was finished, I could barely hold my eyes open. Marty was leaning against me, his little fingers wrapped around my arm as he fought to stay awake.

“Come on, big guy.” Max stood up from his seat and swooped Marty into his arms. “I think it’s time for bed.”

“I just need ’nother nap,” Marty mumbled into Max’s shoulder.

“Sure.” Max smiled at me over my son’s shoulder. “You look tired too.”

“Gee, that’s what every woman wants to hear.” I raised an eyebrow.

“Come on. I’ll tuck you in.” Max held a hand out to me with a mischievous smile.

“What did he say he was going to do to her?” Sam mock-whispered loudly.

“Tuck. He said he was going to tuck her in,” Cathy answered in a stage whisper.

“Ah.” Sam nodded her head. “I thought he said f—”

“Cut them some slack, ladies.” Alex didn’t bother to hide his smile.

“You guys are a riot.” I shook my head. “Pay back is a b— not good.” I shot a look at Marty and changed my phrase.

“Ignore them.” Max rolled his eyes. “Come on.”

“Good night.” I took Max’s hand and let him pull me from the room.

He didn’t say anything as he took us up the stairs and to Marty’s room. He set Marty down on the edge of the bed and undid his shoes. My heart did something funny as I watched him. The tender way he pulled the shoes off and talked quietly to Marty made my mind spin. I swallowed hard and tried to keep my emotions in check. To keep myself from staring I went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of pajamas.

“Brush your teeth, buddy.”

“But I’m so tired.” Marty fell back on the bed and covered his face with his arm. “I don’t wanna.”

“Marty,” I said his name in warning.

“Please? I can just brush them twice as much in the morning.”

“You could be done if you’d stop arguing with me.” I put my hands on my hips. “And change into your pajamas.”

“Okay.” Sighing, he slid off the bed like he was a puddle of goo and grabbed the checkered pants and T-shirt. “I’m going.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Ma’am. Yes, ma’am. I’m going now.” Marty hurried to the bathroom and pulled the door shut.

“That’s kind of hot.” Max stood up and I could feel his eyes run over my body.

“What?” I wrinkled my nose.

“The whole ‘mom’ thing. It’s sexy when you get all bossy.” He walked toward me. “You tap your foot and put your hands on your hips. Very hot.”

“You’ve lost your mind.” I let go of my hips and shook my head.

“I think you’re right.” He narrowed his eyes. “But I’m okay with it.”

“Are you sure?” I swallowed.

He put a hand on my waist and tilted my chin so that I was looking up at him.

“Yes.” His eyes were serious as they studied my face. Leaning forward, his lips brushed mine in a gentle caress.

“Oh. Ew.” Marty’s voice cut through the room.

Max leaned back from me, his eyes twinkling in the low light.

“Teeth brushed?” I stepped away from Max and looked at my son. He was climbing into his bed.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I walked over and kissed his head and tucked the blanket around his little form.

“Good night, little man.”

“ ’Night, Mom.” He yawned. “ ’Night, Max.”

“Good night, buddy.” Max lowered his voice and hit the light switch by the door. “Have fun tomorrow.”

I made my way through the room carefully and out into the hallway where Max was waiting.

“Your turn.” He nodded toward my door.

“You really don’t have to tuck me in.” I smiled at him. “I doubt I’ll be able to fall asleep anyway.”