by Toni Aleo
Perfect.
It felt fucking perfect.
As he moved his lips along hers, nibbling on her bottom lip, his eyes opened just a bit in a hooded, hot way before he whispered, “I love you, ma chou.”
And for once, she didn’t pause, she didn’t hesitate, she didn’t even try to stop herself. She whispered back, “I love you too.”
With that, a grin came across Jensen’s lips before he lifted her up and carried her to the bed for round two, three, and even four. While she enjoyed every freaking moment of it, after she had washed her face and found herself lying awake beside him, for once, it wasn’t because of her fucked-up feelings or the constant movement of her little guy, Gunner.
But because of Bradley.
She had no clue what the hell she was going to do.
“Oh my God! I need this.”
Wren looked over the racks of clothes where Brie was holding up a little tutu onesie that read “My Uncle’s Princess.” “Rod would flip his shit.”
“It’s supercute, he would for sure,” Wren gushed as she picked up almost the same thing, but in blue with no tutu. “Aww, look, they have a boy one. Wells will love it.”
Brie squeaked happily as she threw it in her cart that was overloaded with stuff. How Brie was going to get all that home was beyond Wren, but she wasn’t going to say anything.
Her cart was just as full.
“I’m having a blast! Thanks for asking me to come.”
“Of course. We’re besties, remember?” Brie shot her a grin as Wren sorted through all the puppy- and dinosaur-decorated stuff. She remembered back to a month ago when standing in the middle of a baby store would bring her to her knees in fear, but not any longer. No, now she was excited. “I figured since the boys were all going out to play some pickup, we would need something to do. My mom is currently still planning her brains out, and my dad went with the boys, so I had to hightail it out of there.”
Plus, she wanted to talk to Brie about Bradley.
It had been three days since she’d found out about Jensen, Vaughn, and Wells seeing Bradley at the rink, and she still had no clue what to do about it.
“I thought you and your mom were getting along.”
Wren made a face. “Oh, we’re fine, but now she’s smothering me. Whenever I’m in the room, she’s basically on her hands and knees trying to please me. I had to tell her to go away last night, and then my dad hollered at me. Of course, then he apologized because he doesn’t want me hating him.” She paused, rolling her eyes. “It’s basically normal behavior in the Lemiere household. Everyone is dramatic.”
Brie giggled as she moved toward where Wren stood. “You guys are funny.”
“We’re all insane.”
Brie nodded in agreement as she laughed. “Did Alex stay back with your mom?”
Wren shrugged. “Not that I know. I heard he went with the guys.”
“No, he hates hockey.”
Wren’s face scrunched up. “He’s marrying a hockey player!”
“Exactly. Vaughn doesn’t think they’ll get married.”
Wren laughed. “They’d better. The damn thing is in four days, and my mom is set on there being a wedding. I think even my dad is being better about it. He hasn’t been fighting with Wells as much.”
“That’s good,” Brie said, and Wren shrugged. “But yeah, Vaughn says it’s gonna be a clusterfuck.”
“Oh, I’m sure,” Wren laughed, shaking her head. “But whatever, it’s my brother’s life. I’m there to support him—and for the food I can smuggle without my husband seeing me.”
Brie smiled wide as she nodded. “Jensen is so adorable.”
“He is,” Wren agreed as her heart fluttered. She had thought they were only spending one night in Colorado Springs, but Jensen had other plans. They stayed for two nights and one of the days, and he had the day full of pampering. They had a couple’s massage, a mud bath, and she even got her hair done while he sat by, watching her. It was amazing, and she couldn’t stop thinking about it.
When they passed a belly-casting set, Wren scoffed. “My mom is making Jensen and me do this.”
Brie’s eyes lit up. “No way! When?”
“Who knows? Probably tomorrow or today. Knowing her, she’ll probably torture me today,” she laughed since she thought it was stupid, but Brie looked all too excited as she reached for it, throwing it in her cart. “But apparently, you think it’s cool.”
“It is. I can have Rodney draw on it!”
“Oh, that is cool.”
“Right?” she gushed as they started toward the shoe aisle.
Scrunching up her face, Wren declared, “They never have cute boy shoes.”
“I know, but they have so much girls stuff. Vaughn is gonna be broke.”
“He won’t care.”
“I know,” she giggled as she grabbed a few pairs of all kinds of pink shoes. Looking around the aisle as Brie for real drove Vaughn to bankruptcy, Wren noticed no one was around them, so she leaned toward Brie.
“I need to ask you something.”
Brie looked back at her, seven pairs of shoes in her arms, before blowing a piece of hair out of her eyes. “That sounds juicy,” she said, dropping the shoes into her cart. “What’s going on?”
“So, say you got pregnant by someone else, and he’s a douche, told you to get an abortion, said he didn’t want you, whole nine—”
“I think I’ve heard this scenario.”
Wren glared. “Shh, listen,” she demanded while Brie just stared at her, her eyes wide as she fought back a grin. “Well, new guy comes in, loves you, loves your kid, he’s ready for the future, and now you are—”
“Aww! You love him!”
Wren’s eyes narrowed. “Focus, Brie.”
“Tell me! You do!”
“Yes,” Wren snapped, throwing her hands up, and Brie just grinned. “I do. A lot. And now, the baby’s father could be a problem, and I don’t trust him—”
“I don’t think you trust anyone, though,” she supplied, and Wren thought that over.
“This is true, but he’s up to something. And now, I don’t know if I should tell Jensen about him, when I’ve been tight-lipped this whole time, or if I should just hope it doesn’t blow up in my face.”
Brie just blinked. “Okay, yes, this is a predicament because Jensen will be upset.”
“Yeah, and the problem is, I think I lied to him.”
“Wren.”
“I know, I know,” she protested, shaking her head. “But not really, because he implied he thought he knew who it was, and I didn’t deny it. But I didn’t confirm it, and I’m worried that if he finds out, he’ll get upset because I had the chance to tell him.”
Shaking her head, Brie held her gaze. “It’s that Bradley guy, isn’t it?” Wren’s face must have given her away before Brie smacked her hand to her thigh. “Vaughn said it was. He was convinced, and I told him no. I mean, fuck, Wren, that dude looks like a douche!”
Closing her eyes, Wren let her head fall back. “I know. I’ve known him forever, hot passion, he’s hung, and yeah, it was stupid. Please don’t tell anyone.”
“Oh, you suck.”
“Please, I’m pulling out the bestie card. You can’t tell anyone.”
“Fucking hell. I mean, I really can’t ’cause if I tell Vaughn, he’s going to jail.”
Wren itched her brow in distress. “I know. They’re all gonna be pissed and go after him, and I’m worried he’s gonna try to play it the other way. Try to make me out to be the bad guy. Some would even believe him because everyone knows I wasn’t one to keep my legs shut.”
“No, they won’t.”
“You don’t know that. You don’t know Bradley and his family.”
Brie thought that over, and then her mouth dropped open. “Holy shit, that’s your ex-best friend’s brother. Jesus, Wren, what did you do?”
“I know,” Wren groaned. “I was distracted by a big cock, and I wasn’t thinking. It went on for years, and th
en he happened,” she said, pointing to her belly. “But I don’t know if I want to tell Jensen because what if he looks at the baby and only sees Bradley? I don’t want to ruin this for him.”
Brie made a face. “Ew, yeah. But I don’t know, I think you need to tell him. Just to be safe. Fuck.”
“Exactly.”
“Wow,” she drew out, looking at the floor as she shook her head. “Is Bradley coming to the wedding?”
“I don’t know.”
“And we can’t find out without being suspicious,” Brie said, more to herself, and when she looked up, Wren could see she had no answer either. “He was really weird. Do you think he’s gonna try something?”
“I don’t know, that’s the problem. I thought about calling him again because he doesn’t have my new number, but I don’t even want to look at him.”
“Gosh, this sucks.”
“It does. I told you, hot fucking mess express, right here.”
“Like, legit,” Brie agreed, shaking her head. “Man, Wren, if it were me, I’d tell Jensen. But I get why you don’t want to. You’ve made it pretty clear the dude doesn’t matter, but I think Jenny would rather find out from you than in some shitty way since we don’t know this dude’s game. Maybe you should call him, see what he is thinking?”
Wren shook her head at that, though. “I don’t want anything to do with him, and yeah, you’re right.”
“So you’re going to tell Jensen?”
Wren looked away, shrugging. “I guess. I don’t know when.”
“Before the wedding.”
“Yeah,” she said, but she was pretty sure that was another lie.
She had no clue how to look into the eyes of the man she loved and tell him the darkest secret she had in her book.
She was pretty sure that would send him running for the hills.
Especially if Bradley was up to something.
“I don’t like you right now.”
Laughing, Jensen gazed over at his wife who was huffing and puffing up the hill they were climbing. They had been graced by a cool, beautiful, early morning on the day Jensen had planned for a hike. “I mean, really, you wake me up at butt-crack o’clock, you give me a granola bar when you know darn well I want pancakes and sausage—”
“I got some sausage right here for you, baby,” he teased, and she glared.
“I don’t want your sweaty dick that has no protein in it!”
He waggled his brows at her. “The protein comes after you get me off.”
She gagged at that. “You’re disgusting.”
“And you’re beautiful.”
She glared as she shook her head. “Don’t try to flirt with me! I’m angry. I want my bed, pancakes, and sleep.”
He laughed as they turned the corner. “You need exercise since we skipped yesterday, and also, I thought inviting Brie and Vaughn would make you happy.”
She flashed him the driest look he had ever seen. “Yes, watching as my petite, fit best friend, who has the cutest little baby belly, run with her equally fit boyfriend up a hill in only shorts and a bra was going to make me ecstatic. I’m enjoying this so much.”
“Well, I think you’re fit.”
“Jensen, the only thing fit about me is if I’m lucky to fit in my jeans on a good day.”
“Well, I think otherwise. Plus, you’re way hotter than Brie.”
She rolled her eyes. “Stop sucking up to me, you’re still not getting laid today after all this torture.”
He scoffed. “I can bribe you with a Snickers.”
She didn’t even bat an eye at that. “Probably.”
Laughing, he reached out, taking her hand with his as they trekked up the hill that Vaughn and Brie were more than likely at the top of. “We used to come out here and run when we were kids.”
“I know. I stayed home.” When he looked over at her, she smiled. “Lazy.”
His heart was full as he nodded. “But still hot.”
“Yeah, that was back when I had a decent metabolism that allowed me to eat pizza and only gain three pounds instead of the ten I gain now.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“I hear that a lot from you.” He flashed her a grin as he brought her palm to his mouth, kissing it softly.
“Because it’s true.”
“Says you.”
He laughed as she rolled her eyes before she changed to subject. “So you think Wells and Alex are gonna get married this weekend?”
His brows pulled together. “Why wouldn’t they?”
“Jenny, you didn’t see the look on Wells’s face when Alex brought his makeup box into the house. I thought Wells was going to scream, especially when my dad saw it all.”
Jensen shrugged, shaking his head. “You know that’s their problem. When I asked him, he said he loved the guy and they were doing it.”
She clucked her tongue. “Brie and Vaughn don’t think they will. Watch them call it off Friday.”
Jensen’s face filled with horror. “He’d better warn us, so we can leave before your mom goes crazy on everyone. I’m pretty sure that will be the moment she kills him.”
“Right?” she agreed, laughing as she swung their hands back and forth. “Like, dead. To the ground.”
“Exactly, and I can’t watch that.”
Wren grinned. “I could, with popcorn. Wells does no wrong, so that would be awesome.”
“You’re an asshole.”
“Aww, I love you too,” she gushed, and he laughed, bringing her in and kissing her temple.
“Why couldn’t you be like this from the beginning? You’re so sweet and cuddly.”
She glared up at him, sweat dripping down her forehead as she pursed her lips. “What in the world are you talking about? I’ve been a joy and a delight this whole fucking time.” She couldn’t even keep a straight face; she sputtered with laughter as he shook his head, kissing the side of her mouth.
“You’ve been a pain in my ass, but I love you, so it’s okay.”
She beamed up at him, leaning her head on his shoulder as they walked leisurely along the beautiful wooded trail. He had so many memories on this trail. He kissed a girl on this trail. He got drunk on this trail. He was pretty sure he stole Wells’s and Vaughn’s clothes one time, and they had to run down it naked. It was a good trail, but it was better when he had Wren up under his arm.
God, he loved her.
Things had been so great between them. Picking the baby’s name. Being together. They were vibing, things were good, and fucking hell, he was happy. She seriously brightened up his day. Even with her complaining about everything he was doing for her with the health and fitness, he loved it because he knew she knew she needed it. Plus, he knew she wouldn’t do it for anyone else other than him. But above all, he was on cloud nine because she loved him.
Wren fucking loved him.
Jensen had thought that moment would never happen. He’d thought he was going to get hurt and she was going to ruin him, but no, she loved him. They were planning things, they were doing things that a family did, and he had wanted that for so long that he almost couldn’t believe it. He was sure he pinched himself daily, yet it hurt and she was still looking up at him with that devilish little grin of hers. He had loved her his whole life, and finally, he had everything he wanted. A great job, a beautiful wife, and soon, a son he could love just as much, if not more than the woman who had his whole heart.
Jensen Monroe was one happy fucking guy.
Bringing her hand up to his lips, he kissed her softly as she said, “Do we have to do that plaster thing when we get home?”
He chuckled. “Elaine is pretty set on it.”
“Ugh,” she groaned. “It’s so weird, and I’m so fat!”
“Shut it, woman.”
She rolled her eyes as she moved away from him, making a face but still holding his hand. “You’re hot.”
“So are you,” he said with a wink, and her face flushed as she looked away.
He swore—and he knew he thought this a lot—she was honestly the most beautiful woman in the world. With her hair up in a tight bun, she wore a sports bra with a light workout tank over it. She was wearing a pair of shorts that showed those juicy thighs he loved. But what he couldn’t get over was how much their son was growing. She was bigger, her stomach stretching, and he was convinced she was due tomorrow rather than September.
He couldn’t get enough of her.
He wanted her, constantly.
She was just fucking luscious.
As his heart sped up in his chest, he bit his lip, unsure how he was going to say what he had to say. He had actually brought her up there to talk to her about his issue, but now, he was getting cold feet. He just hated it; he felt weak. But when Wren looked at him, he didn’t feel weak, he felt like the Hulk. As if nothing could touch him. Or them, for that matter.
“Hey, babe—”
“I need to talk to you—” she said at the same time, and they shared a smile. “Go first.”
“No, you,” he demanded, but she shook her head.
“Mine is dumb, you go,” she said before looking away, and he noticed that she seemed nervous. He wasn’t sure what that was about, but if he didn’t get this out, he wasn’t ever going to.
“Okay, so, I was wondering, if, um, maybe—”
“Wow, is this a struggle?” He glared, and she smiled. “Sorry.”
“Actually, it is,” he answered, moving his free hand down his face.
“Oh, my bad. Sorry,” she said, guilt flashing in her eyes. “I’m a jerk.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “No, it’s fine. I’m nervous.”
“Oh. Okay?”
Inhaling hard, he didn’t look at her as he said, “I was actually wondering if maybe, when we get home, you’d go to the doctor’s appointment with me that I had made.”
She scrunched up her face. “For what?”
His mouth went dry as he exhaled through his nose. “To see if I’m still sterile, and maybe working on getting that fixed.”
Her eyes widened, and he bit down hard on the inside of his cheek. He knew she hadn’t asked him to do it, nor had she implied for him to. Also, he didn’t even know if she wanted any more kids after this one. But if she did, he wanted to give them to her.