We stayed at the party for almost four hours—enough time for everyone to devour Celeste and Nora’s amazing food, sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Rhodes—with Jake and Harvey helping to blow out the forty candles on the cake—and for Don to give a heartwarming speech about how proud he was of his son. He also welcomed Harvey and me to their crazy family.
It was a fun night, and now I have an amped up ten-year-old boy who is excited to spend his first sleepover with his new teenage idol.
“I dunno, baby. You’ve got this awesome big bed in here, and Jake’s probably not tired yet. Maybe you can just see him in the—”
“Hey, Harvs. I was thinking,” Jake says, popping his head through the guest-bedroom door. “Do you wanna come bunk in with me tonight? You know, just in case I wake up scared in the middle of the night or something. It’d be good to know I’ve got a friend there. I’ve even set up a mattress on my floor for you.”
Not for the first time tonight, I have to push my tongue against the roof of my mouth and blink rapidly to stop myself from crying like a mushy girl.
“Mom, can I?” Harvey asks hopefully.
“Sure, baby. Jake might need you.”
Harvey rolls his eyes, not so clueless after all. “Okay. Yeah sure.” His tone totally suggests he thinks I’m the clueless one, and it makes me smile.
Having settled the boys in and making sure Harvey is okay, we say goodnight, and Rhodes leads me by the hand along the hall to his room before shutting the door behind us. “I love you. Do you know that?”
“Yeah.”
“You were spectacular tonight. I would never have thought you were nervous at all.”
“I wasn’t—” I narrow my eyes. “Flynn told you, didn’t he?”
“Yep.”
“Not sure I’m over the moon about my ex and my boyfriend colluding together,” I mutter, looking away.
Rhodes cups my jaw and turns my eyes to his. “And I’m not sure of the last time I’ve felt this happy, and it’s all because of you.”
I tilt my head, my chest tight and my heart fit to burst. “I haven’t even given you your birthday present yet either.”
“Hmmm,” he says, pulling me close and dipping his mouth to my neck. “I was planning on unwrapping you as my gift. What is it?”
I try to hold back my giggle. “Axe-throwing lessons.”
He slowly lifts his head, the sight of his wide eyes and parted lips has me laughing.
“Really?”
I shake my head, still snickering. “No, but the look on your face was priceless. I’ve actually booked us a weekend away in Boston for some time later this year.” His expression turns from surprise to smoldering.
“You planning on putting up with me for that long, sweet cheeks?”
“Maybe I was hoping you’d stick by me till then.”
“For a dirty weekend away?”
“Mmm hmm . . .”
“With you naked the entire time . . .”
“That could . . . be arranged . . .” I moan.
“Uninterrupted adult alone time?”
“Absolutely.”
“Fuck yes. Best birthday ever,” he says before he puts a shoulder to my belly and picks me up, carrying me into his bathroom.
“What are you doing?” I shriek, wrapping my arms around his waist as I hang backward.
“Birthday rules apply, which means whatever the birthday boy wants, he gets.” He ever so slowly drags my body down against his hard-in-all-the-right-places one.
“And what do you want?” He reaches out to turn the water on in his big walk-in shower before gripping my hips again.
“I want you naked and wet and rubbing up against me.”
I bite my lip. “Is that all you want?”
“We’ll start there and see what pops up.”
Looking between us, I quirk a brow at his tented pants. “Doesn’t seem to be a problem in that department yet, old man . . .”
“Fuck it,” he mutters, then I’m up in the air again and he’s carrying me fully clothed into the shower, getting the both of us dripping wet and distracting me with his mouth and other body parts until the water ran cold.
It seems Rhodes is right again. Best. Birthday. Ever.
Chapter 19
Rhodes
“I’m off, Dad,” Jake says, popping his head through the living-room door.
I turn my gaze toward him from where I’m sitting on the couch with Dee’s head in my lap as we watch a movie. “What’s the plan?”
“Driving to Linc’s place to hang out. Might go get some food, otherwise, I’ll just stay there and come home by eleven.”
“You need money for gas?” Dee asks, making me smile. I love how she treats Jake as if he’s her own.
My son’s eyes soften at the woman in my arms. “Nah, I’m good. Thanks though.”
“Just don’t eat crap food. If you’re gonna do takeout, at least make sure it’s good crap food.”
His lips twitch at that.
I snort and glance down at her. “Good crap food?”
“Yep.” She grins up at me.
Shaking my head, I meet her eyes. “You’re such a food snob. I should’ve known.”
“No, I’m a crap food connoisseur.”
“Who would’ve thought? My top chef is a takeout puritan.”
Her eyes darken.
“Hello? Kid here,” Jake says, his voice full of humor. “Yes, Dee. I think the plan was pizza. So probably Lou’s. Not as good as yours, of course, but it’ll do in a pinch.”
Dee nods. “I’ll allow it.”
Glad you approve,” Jake mutters. “See you when I get home.”
“Drive carefully and no funny business.”
“Yeah, Dad.” He turns toward the front door.
“I’m serious, kid,” I say, gently easing myself off the couch and following him.
“I promise, Dad. Not gonna screw up, especially not when I’ve got my sweet ride to look after.”
“Trucks can be replaced. You can’t.”
“I know,” he murmurs. “I’ve got my phone tracking on. Feel free to stalk me as much as you need to. Engage the parents collective. Whatever makes you feel better. Got nothing to hide and nothing to lie about.”
I hook my hand behind his neck and bring my forehead to rest against his. “Sorry. I trust you. It’s other people I don’t.”
He snorts and cups
