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“She’s beautiful. I love her.”

“You want kids, Jenni Girl?” he asks. His tone makes me uncomfortable, so I cross my arms over my chest, but it only causes him to openly gawk at my cleavage instead.

My eyes flick to Lick who’s been watching the whole exchange. I nod in response. “Yes, of course, I want kids. It’s always been my dream.”

The blue hues of Cruise’s eyes seem to darken as he hears my response. His hand, still on my overly tense shoulder, pats it as he takes a step forward. His nose brushes the curls away from my face, and I feel the heat of his breath on my ear as his voice rumbles from his throat.

“Just say the word, Jenni Girl. I’d love to knock that fine ass up.”

My skin prickles as his words wash over me. He chuckles at my reaction and then walks away. Releasing a deep breath, I feel the tension in my shoulders start to ease. I’m not sure why I don’t feel comfortable with him. There’s more than twelve guys here at any given time and he’s the only one that gives me the heebie-jeebies. I shake the feeling from my body and make my way over to where I know Lick has been sitting and watching.

Giving my hips a little more sway, I look up and notice his hard stare. My smiles falls a bit at the sight of his lips in a thin line as he watches me. I’m not sure if the look on his face is one of displeasure or not. But either way, my body heats under his stare. I always thought brown eyes were just blah until Lick. His eyes are like warm melted chocolate with swirls of smooth caramel. He thinks he’s sly and hides the way he looks at me, but I see it. I’m not going to call him on it just yet. I’ll wait until the time is right.

“What are you doing over here?” I ask, crouching down beside him.

“Me and the little man are just hanging out.”

I reach for Goober, but he turns his body away from my touch. The little turd. “Come over to see Grace.” I pull at the crook of his arm as I stand up.

He pulls back, getting to his feet, but doesn’t move. “What did Cruise want with you?”

Dropping my hand, I give up on getting him over with the rest of the group. “He wanted to know if I wanted to have kids.”

“What did you say?”

I stand up straighter. “I said yes.”

“You know you ain’t gonna have any of that, Sugar Tits, if you continue to stick around here. This ain’t no place to bring up kids.”

“Well, Savannah’s here and she’s my family, the one that counts anyway, so I don’t plan on going anywhere, anytime soon. Besides, Cruise offered to help me with that problem if I felt the desire.” I know I don’t want Cruise to help me. Hell, I don’t want him anywhere near me, but Lick doesn’t know that and I like to push his buttons.

His jaw ticks. “What the fuck you talking about?”

I tilt my head back a little more, making sure he sees my eyes. “Cruise said he’ll gladly knock me up.”

“Of course, he fucking did.” His anger radiates as he takes a step forward and I take a step back. “You think he’s the only dick that’s up for the job? Fuck no. You think these guys are your friends, your ‘family.’” He uses his one free hand to air quote thing. “Hell no, Sweet Ass, say the word and any one of these fuckers would be sliding into your sweet pussy in seconds. You sashay your little ass around here in barely there, tight as fuck jean shorts with your ass cheeks barely covered. Cowboy boots that hit right below your sexy as fuck calves, and those tight as fuck tops that leave nothing to the imagination. Don’t get me started on your wild ass hair that makes any man want to grab a handful of it and bend you to their mercy. All that shit is just some of the reasons why the majority of the guys around here, young and old, have whacked off to an image of you more than once.”

“Have you?” I ask, feeling bold.

“Have I what?”

“Have you whacked off to an image of me?”

“I’m the least of your worries, sweets. Believe me.”

He pushes Goober at me before he turns and walks away.

The sun has dipped behind the horizon leaving the night to cooler temperatures. We’re all sitting around the fire ring, Savannah in Sin’s lap while he keeps the baby monitor clutched in his hand. Every few minutes he presses his lips into her hair making her eyes close. Their love is so sweet, and after what Tyson Redding put Savannah through, she deserves to find happiness.

The crackling and popping of the fire relax me. My eyes roam over everyone, eventually landing on Lick. He’s sitting a little further back peeling the label from his beer.

“When are you guys gonna pop out another one?” Hawk asks. Lick stops what he’s doing, waiting for either Sin or Savannah to answer.

“Not in any hurry, brother.” He rubs Savannah’s thigh, looking at her while he continues to speak to Hawk. “We’ve just got the little angel home.” He kisses Savannah’s nose before taking his eyes from her to look at Hawk. “She’s happy and healthy and that’s all I’m concerned with. If she’s our only child, so be it. I’m blessed to have her. She’s more than I’ve ever thought I deserved so I’m not gonna push it.” He looks back to Savannah and gives her a small smile that make my heart melt.

“Lily,” I call out. “What about you guys? When are you going to start a family?”

“It wasn’t safe before,” Lily says.