Jolting at the slide of the soft cloth over her clit, Erin stiffened. “Damn it, Jared.”
“Shh.” Jared moved the cloth gently through her slit, wiping her clean, another one of the intimacies that had long ago become part of their lives. “There you go. Why don’t you take a nap?”
Thinking about all the things she still had to do, including finishing dinner, washing the dishes, and doing another load of laundry, Erin shook her head and tried to lift herself from Duncan, falling to the side. “No. I have stuff to do. Why don’t you take a damned nap?”
Chuckling, Jared stretched out behind her, handing the damp cloth to Duncan, who rose and headed for the bathroom.
Nuzzling her neck, he began to rub her back, the already loose muscles melting under his hand. “I don’t need a nap right now. Seeing my wife come apart has my adrenaline pumping. My darling wife, on the other hand, can barely keep her eyes open.” The pure male satisfaction and pride in his tone made her smile. He bent to touch his lips to her shoulder and continued to rub her back. “We didn’t hurt you, did we?”
Erin gave up the effort to open her eyes, deciding that since the baby was asleep, she could rest a few minutes before getting up to take care of her chores. “Yeah. My ass hurts. Why don’t you kiss it?”
She shouldn’t have been surprised that Jared did just that before settling behind her again. Giggling, she slapped at him. “Idiot.”
Duncan chuckled from somewhere by her feet, and his lips touched the cheek of her ass before he started massaging her feet. “Gotta love that smart mouth.”
Jared’s voice lowered, or perhaps she just imagined that it did. “I do.”
Their massage continued, and Erin found herself drifting. “Gotta get up.”
Reese appeared at her other side and began to massage her neck and shoulders from the front. “What’s it gonna hurt to take five minutes to yourself?”
“Hmm.” She could afford five minutes. They’d help her with the dishes anyway.
Five minutes to recharge.
“You all sound pretty smug.”
Jared chuckled again. “I know I do. Shut down, Erin.” His voice had lowered even more and seemed to come from a distance.
Melting under their hands, Erin sighed and began to drift. “Hmm. Five minutes.”
Chapter Six
Jared slowed his caress, the sight of his wife drifting into sleep making his heart swell.
He met his brothers’ questioning gazes and nodded, silently telling them that Erin had finally fallen asleep. He waited until Duncan and Reese lifted their hands from her before he removed his. He covered her with a light blanket and slowly eased from the bed, careful not to jostle her.
All three of them took a moment to check on the baby before making their way to the kitchen.
Jared poured himself the last cup of coffee before starting another pot, enjoying a moment of silence and camaraderie with his brothers. Turning the sauce back on, he glanced over his shoulder. “We haven’t had the chance to sit and talk much since the baby got here.” Smiling, he turned to lean back against the counter, taking a sip of his coffee. “Even when they’re both asleep, and out of our sight, the house feels different now, doesn’t it?”
Reese smiled and turned from loading the washing machine. “Sure does. Smells different, too. I love the combination of baby powder and Erin’s perfume that hits me as soon as I walk in the door.”
Duncan turned from washing the dishes left from lunch and making the sauce. “And whatever she’s making for dinner. I swear, I’ve gained weight in the last year.”
Amused, Jared picked up a towel and began drying the dishes Duncan set in the drainer. “The dads informed me that, as soon as William starts walking, the three of us are gonna be run ragged.”
Reese came out of the small laundry room, one that they planned to enlarge in the near future. “And when more babies come along, I’m sure they’ll keep us busy as hell, too.” Pausing, he eyed Jared. “Something on your mind?”
Drying a plate, Jared stared out the window. “Do you ever think Erin misses the city? Do you think she misses the life she had there?”
Before he’d even finished, Duncan started shaking his head. “No. She likes it here. She likes that she knows everyone in town. She feels safe here. She’s close to Rachel. She likes small-town living, and she likes the fact that our children are going to grow up in a safe place where everyone looks out for everyone else.”
Surprised at Duncan’s vehemence, Jared slid the plate into the cupboard and reached for another. “She told you this?”