“I can handle you, princess.” A wall of heat next to her, he leaned over to grab a handful of potato chips out of a bowl without taking his arm from around her shoulders.

So she elbowed him.

“Ouch.” He scowled at her. “What was that for?”

“Don’t want the family to get suspicious of us being all cozy.”

Removing his arm, he rubbed at his side even though all she’d given him was a nudge. “I think I have bruises.”

She lifted her fingers to her shoulder. “Let me play my tiny violin for you.”

“I’m serious, Caitlin. I think I need it kissed better.”

Catching the glint in his eye, she felt her thighs tighten. “Behave,” she muttered.

“Make me.”

“Make you what?” Gabriel asked, having just walked over, a beer in one hand and Seraphina cradled in his other arm.

“She’s not a rugby ball, bro,” Danny said with a laugh. “Aren’t you supposed to have her up against your shoulder or something?”

“She’s fine. This is her favorite sleep spot.” The baby snored in lovable puffs, happy and content to be tucked into the crook of her daddy’s arm.

Leaning in, Catie touched her itty-bitty nose with a careful finger. “God, she is so tiny.” It was impossible to believe that Gabriel had sired this creature. “Must be Charlie’s genes.”

“She has my eyes,” Gabe said definitively. “Charlotte said so.”

Charlotte was also madly in love with Gabriel. It was adorable. In fact, the entire Bishop-Esera family was adorable. No wonder Danny couldn’t settle down—the couples in his family were a tough act to follow.

“Where is Charlie?” Catie asked. “I haven’t said hi to her yet.” In point of fact, she hadn’t spotted her at all.

“Having a nap in the guest room.” Gabriel’s smile creased his cheeks. “Baby Bishop decided to keep us both up all night. I managed to grab a couple of hours this morning, so I’m a little more functional, but Charlotte’s out like a light. I’ll go wake her before the cake cutting.”

Danny and Catie looked at each other.

Laughing at their shared dismay, Gabriel said, “Yeah, tiny humans are hard work, but damn, she’s got my heart.” Then big, strong, powerful Gabriel Bishop lifted his arm so he could bend down and kiss his daughter on the temple.

She smiled in her sleep, happy in the hold of a man who knew how to keep his promises.

Catie’s heart ached.

24

DANNY POKES THE SMALL DRAGON (OOOOH)

Danny walked up to the popular downtown bar an hour after things wrapped up at his parents, Catie at his side. Taking a deep breath, he told himself it would be fine. Catie had met his rugby mates plenty of times, but this would be her first time meeting his other close friends.