I should feel bad for flaunting our relationship in front of her, but then I remembered her hand on his leg, and just like that, any remaining guilt disappeared.
“You sure?” Ian asked. “Do you need help?”
I smirked, knowing he was offering a make-out session somewhere, but while I wanted to mark my territory, I didn’t know how I felt about making out in a room at a house I was a guest at.
“I’ve got it. You relax.”
Before I took Audrey, I leaned over him and planted a soft kiss, loving the way he lifted his head to chase my lips. He growled and nipped at my smiling retreating lips.
“Dessert,” he whispered.
Smiling, I hefted Audrey in my arms, finally taking a moment to peek over at Hanna who was staring down into her wine glass, her thumb tapping against the side.
Point. Proven.
The entire time I rocked Audrey to sleep, I couldn’t stop smiling. I’d taken control and not sat idly by, and it felt good. I felt strong.
I was still smiling when I walked into the kitchen a little later. I was just turning around from grabbing a water from the fridge when Hanna walked in. She smiled without it reaching her eyes.
“I’m shocked to see Ian so domesticated and bringing someone to Thanksgiving,” she said before I could walk out.
Part of me screamed to just shrug and walk away. Her tone promised nothing good. But pride had me turning to face her.
“Why do you say that?”
She shrugged, her face turning red and her eyes avoiding mine. “He’s just always flitted around from woman to woman—never serious about anyone. I have no doubt he’s going to be the best father, but he always claimed he’d never settled down. He said no woman was enough for him and never would be.”
Somehow, I managed a forced smile. “Well, people change. We have a baby together, and we’re devoted to making it work.”
Her eyes flicked around the room, avoiding mine. She swallowed a few times and licked her lips before she gave the most condescending smile. “Okay.”
Fire started low in my stomach and rose up my chest, but before it could break free, she turned to leave.
“Bitch,” I growled under my breath.
I’d just closed my eyes to take a deep breath when Alex walked in. “Who pissed in your cheerios?”
“Huh?”
The brunette scanned me with her crystal blue eyes. “You look like you’re about to murder someone.”
A laugh broke free, because in that moment, I kind of felt like I could do some damage. I probably should have smiled and said everything was fine, but I needed to talk about Hanna. The fact that Alexandra probably knew her better might give me some better insight into the situation.
“Do Ian and Hanna have a previous relationship?”
“Umm, no. But I’m sure Hanna wishes there was something. Erik said she’s crushed on him since she was a kid.”
That’s a long time to want someone. “That makes our last interaction make sense, I guess.”
“What happened?”
“She definitely insinuated Ian wasn’t going to stay with me because he was too much of a player.”
Her brows shot to her hairline. “What?”
“Yeah. I’ve never known Hanna to be quite so forward and…”
“Bitchy,” Alexandra filled in where I couldn’t.
“Exactly. I’ve known her for a year, and she’s been so nice. Hell, we’ve had lunch and inside jokes about being some of the few women in our line of work. I wouldn’t have said we were friends, but I also wouldn’t have expected what just happened.”
“Look, it’s not my place to say anything, but Hanna doesn’t feel comfortable around many guys, so I think she latched on to her comfort with Ian. If it makes you feel better, I’m not sure Ian even notices anything other than having brotherly affection to her.”
“I’d like to say it does, but I think my own issues block me from feeling relief.”
“Past hurts never fail to weigh us down.”
“Ain’t that the truth.”
Alex tapped her wine glass to my water bottle and gave a sad smile. “Maybe try talking to Ian. He can be oblivious sometimes, so maybe pointing it out will change things.”
Maybe.
I couldn’t help but think maybe it would put me in the same position I’d been with Jake, of him choosing between past and present. Jake chose his past, and I wasn’t sure I could handle it if Ian did too.
Hanna’s words stuck with me the rest of the night, and I struggled to convince myself they weren’t the truth.
She was wrong.
She was just jealous.
Ian was committed to me.
I was enough for him.
I repeated the affirmations to myself, but even with his head buried between my thighs later that night, having me for dessert, doubts crept in.
Was I enough?
25 Ian
“Maybe we shouldn’t go,” Carina suggested, holding Audrey close.
“No,” I responded, taking and passing her off to Alexandra. “I have reservations, and we have capable babysitters. We’re going.”
“If she loses a lung, we’ll call you,” Erik said.
“You’re not funny,” she deadpanned.
Audrey had formed a little cough last night, and it had Carina waking up each time she heard the pathetic little noise. But she ate fine and seemed alert. Nothing to worry about, I’d reminded her before we left the apartment.
Alexandra bumped her shoulder to Erik’s in a reprimand. “I promise we won’t take our eyes off her. You guys are only a phone call away if anything happens.”
I pointed a finger between Alex and Erik. “No screwing on the job.” Then leaned down to press a kiss to Audrey’s forehead. “You let Daddy know if you see anything inappropriate.”
Erik rolled his eyes but smiled Carina’s way to let her know all was fine.
Worried that Carina wouldn’t be able to enjoy the night, I worked extra hard to keep her mind off Audrey and focused on us. Audrey was the center of our universe, but tonight, Carina was the center of mine.
I’d taken her to dinner at a steak house that was built in an old police precinct, wanting to give her the best. The dim lighting and table tucked away in a corner gave us the feel of seclusion and set the mood for romance. Taking advantage, I slid my hand up her skirt at the end of the meal.
“Naughty girl,” I growled when I found out she wasn’t wearing panties. I’d just swiped my finger between her folds, damn near groaning at the wet heat, when the waitress came back with our bill.
“How was dinner?” she asked.
“Delicious,” I answered, bringing my finger to my mouth to taste Carina’s sweet pussy.
My cock had been at half-mast all night with Carina in her tight black dress, but after that, I was hard as a rock, ready to explode.
She tried to jump me in the car once the valet brought it around, but I somehow found the strength to hold her back. I had plans for her tonight, and if I let her distract me, we’d end up fucking in the car for hours. “Not yet, Carina.”
She grumbled adorably but sat back and waited. When we parked, I moved around to open her door and offer my hand, loving the way she easily slid her palm against mine. We’d come so far from the hesitation and regretful touches. Now, she reached for me without thought, linking her fingers in mine.