by Anthology
“You do know that I’m waiting for the two of you to give me grandbabies,” Diane said with a chuckle.
Tag laughed, his gaze cutting to McKenna’s. If everything went well, hopefully his mother-in-law wouldn’t be waiting long.
When the song ended, Jason came over and asked if he could cut in, making Tag smile. “Should I be worried that you keep stealing women from me?”
Jason laughed as he pulled Diane against him. “Just wait until y’all give me granddaughters.”
Tag could not wait for that day. When he turned to find McKenna, intending to go back to her, he found her dancing with his father, Jackson. For a brief moment, Tag was stunned, unable to move. While he tried to process what he was seeing, Victoria came up to him, an uncertain smile on her face.
His manners returned, and he instantly asked her to dance, moving closer to his stepmother. They danced in silence for a moment because Tag had no idea what to say.
Luckily, Victoria eased some of the tension when she said, “He loves you. I’ll admit, he has a very strange way of showing that, but truth is, he does love you.”
It was the first time that Victoria had ever said that to him. Most of their conversations were short and to the point. The rare times he found himself around his father, they generally talked about work.
“Thank you for coming,” Tag said. “It means a lot that he’s here.”
“He wouldn’t have missed it. He just doesn’t know how to show that side of himself.”
Tag nodded. His father had never been the type to dole out love, or to even make Tag feel welcome, but there was one positive in all that. Tag had learned, through his own experiences, what not to do. And sometimes, that was as good a lesson as any.
The song slowly began to fade. “It’s time you go back to your bride,” Victoria said as she released his hand.
Turning, he saw McKenna smiling up at Jackson, looking slightly uncomfortable, but the woman never ceased to amaze him. She handled any situation brilliantly, including this one.
Making his way over to her, he pulled her against him as the rest of the crowd moved onto the dance floor with them, joining in as another slow song started.
“Thank you,” he told her.
“For?”
“For being my greatest accomplishment to date. For making me the happiest man in the world. For … being you.”
Two hours later, Tag was trying to find a way to sneak out and take McKenna back to their cabin. He was seeking her out when his father approached, his expression sober.
“Dad,” Tag said calmly when Jackson came to stand directly in front of him.
“I didn’t want to take too much of your time,” Jackson said, his gaze sliding across the room to where McKenna was talking to Sierra, Sam, and Mercedes. “I just wanted a chance to talk to you. In private.”
Tag lifted his brow in question.
“I wanted to tell you…” Jackson thrust his hands into his pockets, his face contorting into what appeared to be pain.
“You don’t have to say it,” Tag told him, hating to see his father hurting.
“Yes. I do,” Jackson said firmly, looking directly into Tag’s eyes.
“I’ve never been the best father. I know that. I’ve never tried to make excuses for my shortcomings, but I do want you to know that I … I’m proud of you, Tag. I’ve always been proud of you. Despite the type of father I’ve been, you’ve… You’re a good man. One I admire.”
Tag didn’t move. Hell, he wasn’t sure he was even breathing. It was the first time in all his life that his father had come out and said anything regarding how he’d been as a father.
The silence lingered between them for a moment before Tag managed to croak out a thank you.
“You’re welcome. And I really am proud of you. She’s an incredible woman. And you’re lucky to have each other.”
“That we are,” Tag agreed.
Jackson’s hand slipped from his pocket. He then placed it on Tag’s shoulder, and for a moment, he expected a pat but was shocked when Jackson pulled him close, both arms circling him as he hugged him.
“I love you, son.”
Tag swallowed hard, his eyes closing as he hugged his father back. The emotion that churned in his chest surprised him. Perhaps he’d never expected his father to say any of these things, and he wasn’t sure how to process them. But he knew one thing for sure, so he said, “I love you, too, Dad.”
When Jackson pulled back, they stood staring at one another for a moment. It wasn’t awkward, as Tag had expected it to be. Jackson then smiled, a genuine grin that transformed his usually stoic features. “Like I said, I’m so proud of you.”
Tag nodded. “Thank you,” he said, his voice guttural with the emotion now clogging his throat.
Jackson turned and surveyed the room. When he turned back, he once again looked like the father he’d known his whole life, somber, expressionless.
“I should let you get back to your wife,” Jackson said.
Another nod was all Tag could offer. Although his father had shut down once again, the moment they’d shared had been real and something Tag had needed more than he had realized.
“Thanks, Dad.”
It was Jackson’s turn to nod before he silently walked away.
Tag remained rooted in that same spot for long minutes after Jackson disappeared into the group, taking it all in.
He glanced at McKenna. His … wife. Holy hell—at the risk of repeating himself—he definitely loved the sound of that.
She was smiling at her friends, laughing and joking, but then her gaze slid to his briefly. Another smile—one filled with promise and meant only for him—tilted her lips.
Definitely time to get her back to the room. Tag was ready to call it a night, but not because he was tired.
Nope, sleeping was the last thing on his mind.
Chapter Ten
By the time Tag got McKenna back to their cabin, he was having a difficult time keeping his hands off her. And by difficult, he meant damn near impossible.
They’d stayed at the reception longer than he’d intended. Not that he hadn’t had a good time celebrating with his friends and family, but from the instant McKenna had looked into his eyes and said that she would be his wife, he hadn’t thought of anything other than celebrating with her.
Naked.
“Dress. Off. Now,” he growled after flipping the lock on the door.
The seductive glimmer in McKenna’s eyes made his dick harder than granite. He stalked her across the living area and right into the bedroom.
“Unzip me,” she said sweetly, turning to face away from him.
Tag slipped the zipper down her back, places kissing along the skin he exposed. While she pulled her arms from the sleeves, he unhooked her bra, not wanting to waste another second before burying himself so deep inside her she felt him everywhere.
After shrugging out of his jacket, he proceeded to strip. Kicking off his shoes, working the buttons on his shirt, and then finally removing his slacks, underwear, and socks. When he was completely naked, Tag grabbed McKenna around the waist, spinning her and then tumbling them both to the bed, her on top. But that didn’t last long because he was desperate for her. They had all night, but for now, he wanted to be inside her.
McKenna clutched his head, pulling his lips to hers as she moaned sweetly into his mouth, her tongue darting out to meet his. Tag focused on the kiss, savoring the sweet taste of her while he guided himself to her entrance.
With practiced ease, he slid inside her slowly. As slowly as he could manage anyway.
“Tag!” she said on a breathless moan, her lips still pressed to his.
“Feel me,” he whispered, pulling back and staring down at her. “Feel me inside you, filling you, loving you.”
McKenna’s arms wreathed his neck, pulling him down to her until they were touching everywhere.
“So good,” McKenna moaned. “Love feeling you inside me.”
; Tag pumped his hips forward, retreating slowly and lodging deep once again. Her body sheathed him in warmth, her inner walls clutching him tightly.
“One of these days…” Tag said, pumping his hips, “we’re going to have babies.”
McKenna’s smile was luminous, making her entire face glow as she locked her gaze with his.
“Lots of babies,” she replied. “And the more we practice, the better our chances.”
God, he loved this woman. She was his best friend, his soul mate, the love of his life, and now his wife. And yes, one of these days, hopefully sooner rather than later, she’d be the mother of his children.
“Love me, Tag,” she pleaded, her legs wrapping around him as she dug her ankles into his lower back.
Tag thrust into her, keeping a languorous pace, enjoying the feel of her body clutching him tightly. He pressed his mouth to hers once more, using his tongue to mimic the motion of his hips. McKenna’s arms dropped down to his sides and then beneath his own. The next thing he knew, she was digging her nails into his ass, pulling him forward as she cradled his hips between her knees. He didn’t increase the pace at first, instead screwing his hips, burying his cock deeper into her wet heat, loving the way she moaned his name, begging for more.
He lifted his head, their eyes locking as he began fucking her harder, faster, impossibly deeper.
“McKenna. Baby,” he whispered, breathless. “I love you. God, I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she said, her nails digging deeper into his skin as she pulled him closer.
He retreated again, then plunged into her, rocking his hips forward and back, never wanting this moment to end but knowing he was going to come any second, especially if she kept doing that… The way her inner muscles tightened, gripping him, milking him… There was no way he could hold back.
Slamming his mouth to hers once more, he pounded into her, his arms tensing as he held himself above her.
Tag swallowed McKenna’s cries of pleasure as she came apart. Her orgasm triggered his, and he stilled, lodged as deep inside her as he could possibly be.
***
After they showered together, McKenna curled up in Tag’s strong arms, her head resting on his chest, the gentle thump of his heartbeat beneath her ear. The room was dark, and she could feel the gentle rock of the boat while she replayed the events of the last few days, mostly the events of the night.
“I saw you talking to your father,” McKenna prompted, remembering the serious conversation she’d witnessed from across the room.
“He wanted to congratulate us,” Tag said simply, but McKenna could tell he was holding something back.
“So it was a good discussion?” she inquired.
“It was,” he assured her. “He told me he loved me.”
McKenna’s heart constricted. She knew how strained their relationship was, and she was grateful that Jackson had the good sense to reach out to Tag. It was long overdue, that was for sure.
Her mind drifted back to the evening. The time she’d spent with family and friends, laughing, joking, celebrating… It seemed surreal, as though she’d spent endless days in a fairy tale. One she never wanted to come to an end. She still had a hard time wrapping her mind around the fact that she and Tag were married, but…
They. Were. Married.
She was now Mrs. Tag Murphy.
It had been a dream of hers for so long, she was almost tempted to pinch herself to see if she was actually awake. Her thumb drifted over the new diamond-encrusted band adorning the finger on her left hand, and she smiled, thinking about the matching platinum band on Tag’s finger. She’d been pleasantly surprised with his selection, but then again, the man did have exquisite taste.
“What are you thinking about?” Tag asked. “I can tell you’re smilin’.”
“You. Me. Us.” She couldn’t stop thinking about it.
She wondered whether every bride felt like this on their wedding day. Completely content, heart full to bursting … loved, cherished. Adored.
Yes, that was what she was feeling. Adored.
“I adore you,” McKenna said softly. “I think it’s more than love.”
Tag kissed the top of her head, his fingers sliding through her hair. “Adored. I like that.”
Another smile tipped her lips as she listened to Tag’s strong heartbeat, his steady inhale and exhale.
Tomorrow they’d be going back to the real world, getting back to life in the fast lane. But for some reason, McKenna had a feeling things would be different for them. This was the first day of the rest of their lives.
However, before they got to that point, McKenna wasn’t ready for the night to end.
Lifting her head, she grinned into the darkness. She could barely make out Tag’s profile, but she could tell he was looking at her. Instead of saying a word, she simply crawled beneath the blankets and decided to give him something else to remember about this day.
Chapter Eleven
Two months later
“McKenna? I’m home.” Tag placed his laptop on the kitchen table, removing his suit jacket and loosening his tie. “Where are you?” he called out when she didn’t answer.
“In here!”
Tag grinned. He didn’t know exactly where here was, but he followed the sound of her voice to the master bedroom. However, she wasn’t there, so he peeked into the bathroom to see her standing in front of the sink, staring down at the counter.
“What’re you doin’?” he asked, moving toward her.
McKenna’s eyes lifted to his and he noticed tears in them.
“What’s wrong?” he instantly asked, concern filling his chest.
She turned to face him fully, her hands trembling but a smile tipping the corners of her mouth. “We’re pregnant.”
His gaze fell to the counter, where he noticed a white stick lying on a paper towel. He allowed the words to sink in, tossing them around in his head for a moment as warmth filled his entire being.
“We’re…?”
McKenna cleared the few steps between them, throwing her arms around his neck and latching on tightly. “We’re pregnant. We’re pregnant,” she exclaimed, peppering his face with kisses.
A tortured laugh ripped from his chest as he realized what she was telling him. Tag wrapped his arms around her, lifted her off her feet, and kissed her lips. “We’re gonna have a baby?”
“Yes,” she said, her smile radiant, her tears glistening down her cheeks. “We’re gonna have a baby.”
“Have you told your parents?” he asked, setting her down on her feet, a nervous energy filling him as he thought about all the things they needed to do in order to prepare for a baby. They needed a nursery, a crib, baby clothes…
“Relax,” McKenna said with a chuckle, gripping his wrists. “At the most, we’re six weeks along. The first thing we have to do is go to the doctor to confirm.”
Tag nodded, an endless list starting in his head. Bottles, diapers, car seats…
“We’ve got plenty of time,” she told him, her hand coming up to smooth his forehead. “No need to start freaking out just yet.”
Tag laughed.
Him? Freaking out? No way was he…
Okay, so yes, he was freaking out, but this was the best news he’d heard all week.
They were pregnant.
His gaze lowered to her flat belly and his hands followed suit. He lifted her shirt and flattened his palm over her warm skin. A baby.
They stood in silence for a few minutes, McKenna’s hands coming to rest over his as they stared back at one another.
“So, first we go to the doctor? Then what?”
“Well, technically, first, we should go in there,” McKenna replied, nodding toward the bedroom. “And then, after you make love to me, we’ll have dinner, go to bed, spend the weekend doing whatever we want, and first thing Monday morning, when the doctor’s office opens, I’ll call and make an appointment. Then we’ll go see the doctor.”
Tag smirked. T
he woman knew him so well, she had to have known this would be how he’d react, yet she appeared calm and collected and, yes, glowing with excitement.
Reaching around behind her, he cupped her ass, pulled her to him, and then lifted her off her feet. Her arms came up to ring his neck as her legs wrapped around his waist. “I heard the make love to me part,” he told her. “Once we’re done with that, then you can repeat everything that’s supposed to happen afterward.”
McKenna laughed, her lips coming down to rest on his gently. “I can do that. I can definitely do that.”
Tag carried her into the bedroom, gently laying her down on the bed.
“I’m not gonna break,” she told him, grabbing his wrists and jerking him forward. “And no way you’re gonna get away with treating me like fine china for the next seven and a half months.”
Tag’s eyes instantly drifted to her belly as he tried to remain upright.
“Tag Murphy…” McKenna hissed, causing him to look up into her eyes. “Get on this bed right this instant and fuck me senseless. Then you can make me dinner.”
Without hesitating, Tag reached for her cotton shorts, the ones she wore around the house when she wanted to get comfortable, and ripped them down her legs, taking her panties with them. She did the same with her shirt, pulling it over her head and throwing it at him.
It only took a minute for him to undress, and once he was naked, he ordered her to get on her knees.
“Yes, sir,” she said, her tone raspy.
McKenna turned over and got to her hands and knees, pushing her sweet ass in his direction. Tag placed his hands on her ass, pushing her forward just enough that he could bury his tongue in her pussy, making her cry out as she bucked against him, her sounds muffled when she buried her face in the blankets.
He ate her until she screamed his name, coming hard and fast. Before she settled down, he was kneeling on the bed behind her, guiding his cock to her pussy. He didn’t slam into her, because no matter what she said, he wasn’t going to be quite that rough, but he wasn’t gentle, either. Once she was stretched around him, he began fucking her. He wasn’t going slow, not attempting to draw this out, because he was quickly getting lost in the pleasure of her body.