Part 7 (1/2)

Frowning, he stepped out into the hall and found Anabel peeking into Nicole's room. He noted with some disappointment that she'd pulled her tee and panties back on. But with a toddler in the house, he supposed some sacrifices were necessary.

He didn't own any pajamas, but he went back and got his boxers, then joined her. ”She's still asleep?”

”Snoring like a bear cub.” Anabel turned to him with a smile. Her gaze skipped over him head to toe and back again. ”I just wanted to make sure. ”

Like any good mother would. Gil took her arm and guided her back to his room. This time he left his door open but turned the lights out. Without a word, he urged her into his bed, then climbed in beside her and pulled the sheet over them.

She immediately curled into his side. That felt right. More than right. He closed his eyes and said, ”Sleep. ”

She was silent a moment before asking, ”Here?”

It was fast, but Gil didn't care. ”Yeah, here. ”

Anabel said nothing more. She just snuggled against him and quickly drifted into deep slumber. And like his daughter, she snored.

Sometime late in the night, Gil woke to the feel of damp breath in his face. He opened his eyes, then started with surprise. Nicole was on the bed beside him, leaning on his chest, her nose almost touching his.

”I'm wet,” she explained in a loud stage whisper.

”Oh.” Gil's brain scrambled at such a predicament. He was in his underwear. Did two-year-olds notice or care about such things?

”I can't find Mommy. ”

She sounded ready to cry. Gil quickly got over his squeamishness. This was his daughter, for crying out loud, and Anabel was exhausted. ”She's right next to me,” Gil told her.

”Why?”

Why? ”Shea got cold. ”

”Oh. ”

”Do you want me to change you? That way we can let your mommy sleep. ”

No answer.

Gil carefully caught Nicki and lifted her away so he could get out of the bed. Her gown was soaked, but he still cradled her close to his chest. ”Let's be real quiet and sneaky, okay? Won't your mommy be surprised?”

Nicki had no comment on that, but she rubbed her little hand on his chest. ”You're whiskery. ”

”Not too much. ”

”I'm not whiskery. ”

”No, and neither is your mommy. ”

”Only daddies?”

”That's right.” He slipped out of the room and quietly pulled the door shut behind him. ”Do you know where your nightgowns are?”

She tugged experimentally on his chest hair. ”No. ”

Wincing, Gil untangled her fingers and set her down in her room. Together, they rummaged around until she approved a soft s.h.i.+rt to sleep in. The pull-up diaper was thankfully easy. He wasn't altogether sure he could have managed the other kind, not without any practice to his credit.

After he'd changed her wet sheets and was ready to tuck her in, Nicole stuck out her bottom lip. She looked half asleep on her feet, but still she said, ”I want a story. ”

So he'd get to hear the ending of the book after all? Gil could handle that. He settled in the chair with Nicole in his lap, and had barely finished one page before he heard her breathing even out in sleep. Feeling very paternal and proud, he slipped Nicole into her bed, stood there a moment to make sure she wouldn't awaken, and then headed back to his own room.

Anabel had slept through it all, proving just how little rest she'd gotten lately.

He, on the other hand, was now wide awake and very aware that he had a warm, sensual woman curled up in his bed. Not just any woman, but Anabel. He'd always been drawn to her, no matter how he fought it. But now he liked and respected her, too. She'd done so much. Without complaint, she'd taken on responsibilities that weren't hers, and managed them admirably.

She was not only s.e.xy, but strong. She wasn't just outrageous, she was also bighearted. She wasa beyond appealing. Physically and emotionally. And now she was here, in his bed.

Moonlight flooding through the windows formed a halo around her face. He could see her soft hair tangled on the pillow. She had one hand tucked beneath her cheek and one slender leg bent at the knee, drawn up in what Gil saw as an invitation. Of course, in his frame of mind, even her deep, even snores seemed inviting. He was in a very bad way.

What the h.e.l.l, he decided, and again locked his door.

Moving silently so that he didn't disturb her yet, Gil pulled the blankets off the bed. Anabel s.h.i.+fted, but didn't awaken. She had beautiful legs, slim and sleek, but it was her f.a.n.n.y that caught and held his attention now.

Gil pushed his boxers off. Given it hadn't been that long since he'd come twice, he stared at his b.o.n.e.r with some chagrin, then donned a condom before getting into bed behind Anabel. He leaned close and smelled her hair, a familiar smell now, arousing and comforting at the same time. Gently, he brushed his nose against her, over her ear, her temple, down to her nape. He wallowed in the pleasure of having her near. She slept on.

Using only one finger, Gil traced her graceful spine down to the small of her back, continuing to her bot-torn, and on still until he found the incredible warmth between her legs. He lightly stroked, using only the tip of that one finger, and felt her soften, swell.

She made a sound in her sleep, one that sounded of growing urgency and awareness.

Gil continued to tease, to arouse her. He wanted to take her from behind. It was nice that way, giving him easy access to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and s.e.x. He could push deep while fingering her, teasing her nipples.

Biting off a groan at those erotic images, he slid one arm under her so he could keep her close, in just the right position, at the same time kneading a soft breast. ”I want you, Anabel. ”

She fluttered awake. ”Gil?”

Roughly, he stripped her panties down far enough that he could get inside her. He positioned himself, held her still, and with one firm thrust, he was there.

”Gil. ”

His heart pounded with the excitement, the power of it. ”Push back against me, Anabel. ”

And with a welcoming moan, she did.

Oh yeah, his life was different now. As far as Gil was concerned, it was infinitely better.

Anabel felt a hand on her breast and groaned. Did the man never rest? Okay, so she knew he was s.e.xually uninhibited, but no one had said anything about insatiable. ”Go away. ”

A husky, male laugh sounded in her ear; solid morning wood nudged her hip. Against her ear, he whispered, ”How late does Nicki sleep?”

Oh, good grief. She was actually sore. Deliriously sore, but still, she needed a little time to recoup. He'd really taken the whole trial-run thing to heart. ”Uma what time is it?”

”No, you answer first. ”

Knowing he was on to her, Anabel grinned. ”Gee, I expect her any minute. ”