First and Only (Callaghan Brothers #2)

Big, strong hands caressed her gently. “I like you soft,” his voice rich and thick like honey. “And believe me, sweetheart, I’m hard enough for the both of us.” Taking her hand, he pressed it against some very rigid proof of that statement.

Just that quickly, tears were replaced by a quick flash of heat zinging through her body. Ian wanted her. She stroked him through his jeans, following the shaft all the way to the tip of his waistband. He allowed her to do that a few times, then gently caught her hand and brought it to his lips.

“Uh-uh-uh,” he chastised. “Not for a while, baby.”

“For me, yes,” she agreed, her voice dropping. “But not for you.” Lexi went for his belt.

“Later maybe,” he growled. “Let’s take care of you first.”

“Shower with me then,” she said, pointing to the wet spots on his shirt. “Looks like you’re a casualty of my overzealous let-down reflex, too.” Before he could refuse, she added, “You can scrub my back.”

Ian’s hesitation was not lost on her. After everything that had happened, she couldn’t blame him. He was worried, she got that. But that didn’t mean she was going to let him off that easily. The worst of the danger had passed. She had survived, and their son was perfect. Clearly she was stronger than even she had believed.

She was being given a second chance, and she was determined not to blow it this time. “It’s alright, Ian,” she said softly. “I really want this.”

Lexi silently cheered when Ian began removing his clothes. The step-in shower was easily large enough for two people, and included a seat for Lexi. No less than six gleaming shower heads were positioned along three sides. Ian stepped behind her, his hands gently pushing her down onto the seat that had been placed in the middle, and he began to wash her hair.

She tilted her head back, enjoying the slow, lazy circles he made with his fingers. It felt so good, it almost made up for the fact that she couldn’t ogle him from this position. “Oh, God, that feels good,” she moaned. “Don’t stop.”

Ian chuckled softly behind her. He took his time, massaging her scalp, then her neck, then shoulders and back.

His hands felt wonderful; she had forgotten how magical Ian’s touch could be. Judging by the few side glances she’d managed, he was every bit as affected as she was, too. There wasn’t much she could do to alleviate the ache in her core, but there was no reason he had to suffer.

When he turned away to replace the body wash on the little shelf built into the corner, Lexi made her move. The second he turned back around, Lexi’s hands were clutching his hips, drawing him between her lips.

“Ah, fuck!” he ground out, his hands flying to her head. Lexi smiled around his thickness, grateful that the shower seat placed her at the perfect level for this. She devoured him greedily, starved for the man she had thought she’d lost forever.

Nine months, two weeks, and four days. That’s how long it had been since she had last seen him. That’s how long she had been dreaming of being with him again. She couldn’t have stopped herself even if she’d wanted to (she hadn’t).

“Baby,” he growled in warning, but Lexi had already sensed his rising climax. Like a woman driven, she sucked him deeper, harder, one hand cupping his tight sac, one finger lightly stroking his seam. It was his undoing.

Lexi took everything he gave her, suckling him for more until every last drop was spent. Then she looked up at him and smiled.

Satisfied that she had gotten her way, Lexi gave him no hassles whatsoever about going back to bed for a little while, but fate had other plans. A loud wail sounded from the other room, their son anxious to remind them of his presence. Ian brought him back to her a few minutes later, smelling all clean and baby-like.

“You changed his diaper?” she said, impressed.

“Of course I did,” Ian said, acting a little affronted.

“I knew there was a reason I fell in love with you.”

Ian grinned. “Say that again.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too. Now feed our son.”

Lexi laughed. “I’m not sure who’s more excited about this – Patrick or you.”

“Me,” Ian said, with a look of anticipation as he settled himself in front of her, mesmerized by her fingers as she parted her top. “Definitely me.”

*

Ian watched as Lexi nursed their son. If there was ever a more perfect image, he couldn’t imagine it. Even now, weary as she was, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Christ, he loved her so much. She had been through so much, and she’d had to do it without him. Never again. Never again would she have to face anything alone, because he was going to damn well make sure of it. Nothing was going to hurt her or his son again.

Including him.