“I know.” She nods and wipes at a tear on her cheek. “And I am happy. Ridiculously happy. I’ll pull out of this funk, just like I always do. It helps that I can talk to you about it.”
“Always.” I kiss her head again, never able to get enough of the smell of her, of the feel of her against me. “You’ve had a lot to deal with lately, and you’re still healing from having Hudson.”
“Who might have been the biggest baby ever birthed,” she mutters with a sigh. “I’m a small woman, M, and he was almost eleven pounds.”
“I remember,” I say with a cringe. “I don’t know how you did it.”
“With a lot of pain,” she says with a laugh. “But I’m feeling better. Dancing feels good.”
“I’m glad.”
She tips her face up for a kiss, and I happily comply, sinking into her soft mouth.
“Never forget,” I whisper against her lips. “It’s you and me. M and M, against the world.”
She grins and cradles my face in her hands. “Always.”
House Warming Party Menu
Hot Crab Dip with Bread Ring
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon minced garlic
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 pound lump crab meat
1 cup shredded mozzarella
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tube refrigerated French loaf bread dough
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Preheat oven to 350° and spray a 9” iron skillet with non-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and onion powder and stir until cream cheese is very smooth. Fold in crab meat, mozzarella, Parmesan, 2 tablespoons parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Cut bread dough into 16 pieces and roll each piece into a small ball. Place bread balls around the perimeter of the skillet, then brush with butter and sprinkle garlic powder on top. Add the crab mixture to the center of the dough ring. Bake until the bread is golden and cooked through and the cheese is bubbly, about 25 minutes. Serve warm.
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BLT Cups
12 strips bacon (6 whole strips, 6 cut in half)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 cups iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Using a 6-cup muffin tin, turn the tin upside down and place 2 half-strips of bacon on top, making an X. Then place 1 whole strip of bacon around the sides to form a cup. Repeat with remaining bacon strips. Place muffin tin on a rimmed cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, remove bacon cups from cupcake tin and drain on paper towels. While bacon is cooking, mix together remaining ingredients and scoop into bacon cups when they’re done.
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Spinach Artichoke Rolls
6 cups oil for frying
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 can baby artichokes, chopped
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 package egg roll wrappers
Heat oil to 350 degrees in a Dutch oven or deep fryer. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except egg roll wrappers. Place 2-3 tablespoons of filling in the center of each egg roll wrapper. Fold in the two sides, then roll up starting with open corner. Seal with water at the end of the roll. Fry 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve.
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Strawberry and Bacon Bruschetta
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup basil pesto
1 French baguette, sliced
2 cups strawberries, sliced
8 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup goat cheese, crumbled
Balsamic Glaze (Click here for recipe)
In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and basil pesto. Spread over sliced baguettes. In a separate bowl, combine the strawberries, bacon and goat cheese. Place 1-2 tablespoons on top of each baguette. Drizzle Balsamic Glaze on top.
Balsamic Glaze
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
In a small saucepan, simmer the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar over medium heat until it reduces and thickens, about 5 minutes, and let cool.
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Chocolate and Peanut Butter Truffles
1 package Nutter Butter cookies
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 bag milk chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vegetable or Canola oil
Crush Nutter Butters in food processor. Cut softened cream cheese into chunks and add to food processor. Pulse until combined into a dough. Roll into small balls (about 1 inch). Freeze for 10 minutes on a cookie sheet. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave with 1 tablespoon oil. Stir until smooth and all chocolate is melted.
Using a toothpick or spoon, dip the Nutter Butter balls into the chocolate, letting the excess chocolate drip off. Melt more chocolate, as needed. Set the truffles on waxed paper to cool.
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And from Kristen’s Kitchen...Huckleberry Delight
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
11/2 cups sugar, plus 3 tablespoons
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (12 ounce) container whipped topping
3 cups huckleberries
1/4 cup cornstarch
In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar and the butter together. Spread evenly in the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. In a separate bowl, using a hand mixer, combine the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until blended. Fold in the whipped topping and spread on top of the graham cracker crust.
In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the huckleberries, remaining 1 cup sugar and cornstarch, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved and sauce has thickened. Let cool for 10 minutes, then pour over whipped topping layer. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
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Cocktails & Shenanigans Invitation
Luke & Natalie
Luke
“They’re gone.” I find my bride of six years in our closet, wearing only a matching set of light pink underwear and the pearls I gave her long ago, staring at her clothes as if she doesn’t have anything to wear.
Trust me, she has plenty.
And I’ll buy more for her, all she has to do is say the word.
She turns her smiling green eyes to me, a grin tickling her pink lips.
“Are you saying we’re alone?”
“As alone as we’ve been in weeks,” I confirm and pull her into my arms, holding her close. “I love our children, and I’d do it all over again any day of the week, but I do miss my alone time with you.”
She sighs as I kiss her temple. “I know. Time alone is scarce these days. I just don’t want to hire a nanny. I don’t think we need one yet. Maybe when they get older and have to be shuttled around to this and that I’ll want an extra set of hands, but I like it being just us for now.”
“I don’t disagree,” I reply. “You’re an amazing mother, Nat. No one is saying differently.”
“I know.” She smiles up at me. “Did you thank your parents profusely for taking them all?”
“Of course.” She tries to turn back to her wardrobe options, but I hold her firm.
“Luke, I have to get ready. The girls will be here soon.”
“How soon?”
“In less than an hour.”
I feel the smile grow over my lips and Nat’s eyes narrow on me. “We don’t have time for this.”
“Of course we do, baby.” I nibble the side of her mouth, my fingertips barely grazing down her ribs to her hips. “We have plenty of time. You’re already undressed.”
She snorts as I lift her in my arms and carry her to the bed.
“Have I mentioned that I love your taste in undergarments?” I ask as I peel her panties down her legs.
“Only about four thousand times in the past six years.”
“That’s all?” I frown and press a wet kiss to her inner thigh, making her sigh in pleasure. She’s added tattoos here over the years, the names of our children intertwined in a delicate design. I nibble my way to the apex of her legs and grin when her flesh erupts in goose bumps. “I love your underwear. I love it even more when it’s wadded up on my floor.”
She giggles and plunges her fingers in my hair, holding on as I drag my nose along the crease of her leg and over her shaved pussy, where she has ink etched on her mound.
I fucking love to trace her tattoos.
I kiss my way up to her belly and feel her tense. I know she’s self conscious of the changes that four children brings to a woman’s body.
“You’re tensing.”
She sighs. “The lights are on.”
“Fuck yes, they are,” I reply, kissing over the tattoo on her ribs. “I love looking at you, baby.”
“I know, just consider it a woman thing.”
“Your body has changed over the past six years, that’s true,” I murmur before licking the underside of the swell of her breast, making her sigh. “It’s fascinating and beautiful.”
“I wish I could get the stretch marks to go away.”
“They’re a road map,” I reply simply. “A beautiful reminder of what your body went through to give us four healthy babies. I don’t mind them in the least.”
“You’re sweet,” she murmurs, then arches her back when I tug a taut nipple between my teeth. “And biased.”
“I’m so fucking taken with you,” I reply and let my hands glide over her skin, soaking in every delectable inch of her. “Everything about you, Nat. Your skin, your voice, the way you laugh. The way you sound when I do this.”
I push two fingers inside her and make a come here motion, sending her body into a tailspin. She moans and grips the sheets in her fists, writhing on the bed. I plant my thumb over her clit and bite her neck, and that’s all it takes to make her break apart into a thousand pieces, panting and biting her lip.
“That was one,” I whisper into her ear.
“I really don’t have time for more,” she gasps, but I smile against her skin.
“Too bad. There’s more.”
Her hands are taking a journey over my body, up and down my back, over my ass, and up my sides. My cock is throbbing against my pants.
I need her.
I never stop needing her.
I reach between us and unfasten my fly, releasing my dick, and without hesitation, I slide inside her.
I slide home.
“Jesus,” she moans, her hips already pulsing with the need to move, and I’m too fucking impatient to disappoint her.
“You’re all I fucking think about,” I growl as I lean on my elbows, cradling her head in my hands, and fucking her until we’re both almost blind with it. “I never get enough of you.”
“Jesus, Luke,” she cries out and hitches her legs up around my hips, opening herself wider so I can push deeper, making me cross-eyed in sensation.
“That’s right, baby,” I whisper next to her ear. “I want you to come around me.”
I reach between us to press on her clit once again, and I feel her begin to quiver as her orgasm moves through her. Her pussy is tight around me, milking me for all she’s worth, and I know that I’m about to go over the edge with her.
We’re panting, trying to catch our breath and return to earth. I’m still over her, but I’ve lifted onto my elbows again so I’m not crushing her.
“Know what else I love?” I ask her as I press a kiss on her swollen lips.
“Mm?”
“I love that you wear my pearls,” I whisper. “Even when you’re just staying in for a night with the girls.”
“I love these pearls,” she says with a soft smile. “I wear them with a lot of things.”
“I know.” I nuzzle her nose with mine, then roll away so we can start to get dressed again. “The kids are with my parents until tomorrow. I’m not staying away all night.”
“Of course not,” she says with a laugh as she pulls on her panties and adjusts her bra. “We can do some of this again later. In fact, I’ll be pretty buzzed when you get home, so we can have drunk sex.”
“You do enjoy the drunk sex,” I reply and push her dark hair over her shoulder.
“And I’ve been pregnant for about twelve years, so we haven’t had much of it lately.”
“That might be an exaggeration.” I wink at her and follow her back into the closet, where she chooses some skinny jeans and a simple black V-neck T-shirt.
With her pearls.
And somehow, on my Natalie, it works perfectly.
“Jules will be here soon,” she says as she hurries to smooth her hair and brushes some gloss over her lips. “In fact, everyone will be here soon. But I think it’s all ready.”
“You’ll have fun. You always do.”
I follow her down to the kitchen, which is open to the living space. She’s set the food up on the dining room table, and has a space prepared on the buffet for drinks.
“That’s a lot of liquor.”
She cocks an eyebrow. “Have you met us?”
“I’m glad you’re staying home.”
“We never drive when we have girls night,” she reminds me. The doorbell rings, and I open the door to find Jules on the other side. She scowls when she sees me.
“No husbands tonight,” she says. “It said so on Nat’s invitation.”
“I’m leaving,” I assure her, closing the door behind her as she hurries in with a bag full of goodies.
“Everyone’s on their way,” Jules says with a smile. “And I do mean everyone. No one is sick, or has a sick kid, or is out of town.”
“Awesome,” Nat says with a happy shimmy. “We haven’t had everyone together in a long time.”
“And Anastasia hasn’t been to a girls night since moving back to Seattle, so this will be a treat for her,” Jules adds, referring to her cousin, who moved home earlier this year.
“I’m so glad I bought extra liquor. And food,” Nat says.
She’s in hostess mode now, and I know it’s time for me to go. I’m going to spend the evening with some of the Montgomery brothers for poker night at Steven’s house.
We haven’t done that in a while either, and I’ve been looking forward to it.
“I’d better go, baby,” I say as I pull Nat in for a kiss. “I’ll see you later.”
“Have fun,” she says and stands on tip-toe to press her lips to mine. “I’ll let you know if I need anything.”
“Good.”
“Ugh,” Jules says, rolling her eyes. “Seriously, get a room. Or, better yet, you go.”
She shoos her hand at me, making me laugh. Jules has always hated our public displays of affection.
I don’t give a fuck.
Natalie
“It’s never changed,” Jules says after Luke leaves and I hear his car pull away from the house.
“What hasn’t?” I ask.
“The kissing. The groping. It’s as if you’re still dating.”
I smirk and pull the ingredients out for the charcuterie board. “We’re in love, Jules. And don’t give me that shit because I
see the way you and Nate are.”
“I know,” she says with a sigh. “I’m happy for you. And me. And all of us.”
“Me too. Now, help me set this out.”
“You’ve transformed your whole table into a charcuterie board,” she says with a laugh. “This is awesome.”
“It’s a lot of people,” I reply. “We’ve grown.”
“I know, and it’s fun. But it’s more difficult now to get us all together.”
“So we’re going to enjoy it tonight,” I remind her.
Just as we’re finishing up with displaying the food, Nic and Alecia arrive, followed by Meredith and Jax.
“I know I’m not a girl,” Jax says, carrying one of Nic’s bakery boxes. “But I bat for your team, and I need a night out.”
“You’re always welcome,” I assure him. “Nic, thanks for bringing these.”
“No, thank you,” she says with a smile. “You’re all my guinea pigs tonight. It’s a new flavor.”
“What is it?” Jules asks, peeking inside.
“Strawberry lemonade,” Nic says with a smile. “And I’ve been told it’s divine.”
“I can’t wait,” Meredith says. “But first, I need a drink.”
“I have a peach sangria, huckleberry lemon drops and champagne with pomegranate.”
“Yes, please,” Mer says with a laugh. “I’ll work my way through all of those tonight.”
“I can’t believe I have to stay sober,” Meg says as she walks in with Sam.
“I can make you virgin cocktails,” I offer and giggle when Meg’s smile turns naughty.
“It’s been a minute since I was a virgin, but I’ll take you up on it.”
Indulge With Me (With Me In Seattle Book 10) Page 12