“How do you do this to me?” He spoke against my nipple. I was about to ask what he was referring to, but then I felt his hard-on pressing against one of my thighs. I sucked in a breath.

“I can’t believe you sometimes.”

He lifted his head, looking straight at me. He’d taken that as a challenge.

God help me.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

Val

The holiday season was always a bit crazy in the Connor clan. Carter and the girls spent Christmas with us the next week, and introducing April and Peyton to my family was simply precious. Peyton had been shy and silent in the beginning but opened up when she realized everyone had a present for her.  April was starstruck by Jace. She wasn’t a soccer fan, but she’d started following him on social media after his newest GQ title. I’d overheard her inform Carter later that evening that he was officially a “cool uncle” because he knew Jace.

At the next Friday dinner, April asked my brother for an autograph. It took yet another week for her to work up the courage to ask him to take a photo with her, but now I could confidently say the girls felt comfortable around the Connor clan... which was why I was certain they wouldn’t be overwhelmed when I introduced them to two of my Bennett cousins.

My cousins Pippa and Sebastian were in LA. Since they were flying back to San Francisco tomorrow morning, they couldn’t make it to our traditional Friday dinner, so I’d invited them over today, on a Thursday.

I was picking up Peyton and April from school, then going to my house with them.

None of my siblings could stop by, unfortunately, but that gave me a chance to brag about my man and the girls.

After picking them up from school, I headed directly home. Carter was meeting us there.

On the way, the girls talked my ear off.

“So, I don’t know what to do,” April said thoughtfully. “Should I text him back? Or not?”

“Go for it.”

April grinned at me. “I will.”

Peyton had other issues. “Val... I need a costume for the festival. Can you come shopping with us? Pleaaaase.”

“The festival is next Tuesday, right?” Since Carter and I were actively trying to shift things around in our lives to make time for each other, I also had a copy of the girls’ schedule.

“Yep.”

“We’ll go shopping Saturday, okay?”

Peyton clapped her hands, nodding excitedly. Carter was already at my house when we arrived. I’d offered to pick up the girls because their school was on my way from a meeting. I loved spending time with them and goofing around. We’d grown closer since that swoon-worthy night with Carter.