The Risks We Take Duet Box Set

21. Carys

CARYS

W hy does watching a gorgeous man holding a baby make my ovaries want to explode?

I’m not talking toddler, although watching Cooper with Callen and the twins is a sight to behold. But watching him fall in love with Nixon affects me in a visceral way I wasn’t expecting. That tiny baby tucked against Cooper’s muscled chest as we all pack up to go back to our respective houses may be the most insanely hot thing I’ve ever witnessed.

Coach wants to grill a big family dinner, but that means we’ll eat at 5:00 p.m. because these babies haven’t napped today, and most of them are already getting cranky as everyone heads back up the beach to start food prep and shower.

We’re spread out among three houses. Brady’s parents’ place is packed, with him, Nattie, and all their friends staying there for the weekend. I’m a little worried Cooper is going to either stay there or with his brother, Declan, after he hands Nixon back to his parents.

But as soon as Coach follows Mom upstairs, carrying a whining Callen, who doesn’t want to take a bath, Cooper steps through the kitchen doors, and my breath catches in my throat.

His black Kings ball cap sits backward on his head, tucking his blond curls down. A sleeveless black tee showcases the defined muscles in his arms, and a pair of red board shorts stretch across strong thighs and tanned skin. It’s a heady combination, and I swear to God, if he doesn’t touch me soon, I’m going to combust.

Judging by the predator-like expression on his face as he stalks toward me, he feels the same way.

He doesn’t make me wait long.

His strong arms pin me against the cool stainless-steel refrigerator. Cooper’s calloused hands slide under my oversized linen shirt and along my heated skin—sparking fire every place he touches—before he lifts me from my feet and wraps my legs around his waist.

“I missed you so fucking much, Carys. I can’t wait another minute.”

His words are a balm to all the tattered edges of my soul that formed while he’s been gone. The doubt that was creeping into my mind, questioning his feelings. The nerves that our family won’t accept it. The fear that it’s all going to fall apart before it even starts. But none of it matters now that he’s here.

My arms twine around his neck, and I tug off his cap, then run my fingers through his soft blond hair as I crash my lips over his. Molding my body to his, I can’t tell where I stop and he starts.

“It doesn’t make sense,” I pant. “But I feel it too, Coop.”

He walks us carefully down the dark hall and into the first bedroom, then kicks the door shut behind him and leans me against it. Blue eyes scan every inch of my face, his breath coming rapidly. “You are the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.” His tongue invades my mouth as he cups my breast and my nipple aches at the feel of his thumb brushing over it.

“Cooper...” I beg as I grind my pussy down against his hard cock that’s pressing against my core. Only his shorts and my tiny bikini separate us, but it’s too much.

I want them gone.

“Shh, you’ve got to be quiet.” He bites down on my bottom lip and tugs. “We don’t have much time, and I need to make you come for me. At least once.” One hand slides from my hip into my bikini bottoms, and then his fingers drag through my sex, sending me spiraling through the stratosphere. “Your pussy is soaked, baby. Is this for me?” he groans. His words are so quiet, and fuck, they’re sexy.

I nod, his dirty words making my clit throb with need as I bite down painfully on my bottom lip to keep from crying out when he slips one blunt finger inside me. Then another. Stretching me. Filling me. His rough thumb rubs circles around my clit, teasing me, while he holds me like I weigh nothing against the wall.

Every breath we take seems amplified by the threat of being discovered, and I’ve never needed to come so badly in my life.

Chills of anticipation break out over my skin as his fingers work me into a silent frenzy. “Oh, God,” I whisper as his fingers curve to hit a spot deep inside me no man has ever touched.

My core tightens as chills caress my skin.

Cooper licks into my mouth. “Shh, baby. No sound, remember?”

I nod my head and get lost in the heavy-lidded heat of his blue eyes.

“Good girl.” He pulls his fingers out, and my eyes fly to his, desperate for this not to end. But he just smirks at me, then traces my lips with his fingers, pushing them onto my tongue. “Suck.”

I do as I’m told and suck his fingers clean, showing him what I’m dying to do to his cock. My own tart taste coats my tongue.

Cooper’s eyes darken, and he groans as I swirl my tongue around his fingers.

He slowly lowers my feet to the floor, then, holding eye contact, drops to his knees, and throws my leg over his shoulder. He shoves my bikini bottoms to the side, opening me to him. Dark eyes look up at me with a wicked grin, and I know I’d give this man anything he wanted and everything I needed. I open my mouth but quickly bite down on my lip to stop from moaning.

“That’s my good girl.”

His words fan the flame of my already insane need, and I pant, unable to catch my breath as I watch the sinful sight in front of me.

Cooper drags his flattened tongue through my pussy slowly, lapping at me. Then he growls against me, sending vibrations through my body.

I throw my head back, trying desperately to muffle my cries. I should be mortified at how wet I am, but when his tongue spears inside my pussy, I lose the ability to form a cohesive thought and no longer care.

It’s his fault I’m this turned-on.

His fault my body is singing right now.

He sucks my clit as his fingers tease me and bring me to the brink until darkness begins setting in at the corners of my vision. And when I think I can’t take it anymore, his teeth finally scrape over my pulsing clit, and I explode on his tongue. My back arches off the door, and my fingers grasp his shoulders for purchase.

Completely lost to the moment.

Soundless.

Breathless.

We’re quiet.

Only my panting fills the silence.

Until Coach yells from somewhere down the hall, “Cooper, go next door and tell your sister dinner will be ready soon.”

Coop drags his tongue through my drenched sex one more time, absorbing the aftershocks wracking my body, then gently lowers my leg to the floor. He kisses the inside of my thigh and smiles devilishly up at me, before yelling, “Okay, Dad.”

Holy shit. Life just got complicated.

C oach has always had a thing about having everyone around a table. He loves family dinners more than anyone I’ve ever met. And with each new person who joins our extended family—by blood, marriage, or luck—he welcomes them and adds another chair. We’re eighteen people deep, seated at the giant table on the back deck overlooking the ocean this evening.

There are more conversations than I can keep track of happening at once, yet my eyes are constantly drawn to the man sitting across from me. My cheeks flame red every time he catches me staring at him, but I don’t think anyone else has caught on. Annabelle sits to my right, holding her youngest as she tries to eat, so I take him from her to give her a minute of peace.

Or at least I try. As soon as I settle Nixon in my lap, her twins start fighting over a piece of watermelon that ends up being thrown across the table with a shriek and hits Belle in the face. It’s hard to not laugh, but most of us try to at least hide our reactions.

Declan stands, with the ultimate dad glare, and orders the girls to follow him into the house while Belle wipes her face. Then, with a sigh, she turns to me.

“Don’t be in a rush for kids, Carys.” She peeks over at Nixon, who grips my finger with a contented look on his face while he sucks his bottle down with half-closed eyes. “They’re cute but brutal.”

I look down at the happy little baby in my arms, then at the unhappy toddlers crying in the house. “I think I’ll wait a few years before thinking about kids.”

Nixon finishes his bottle, and as I lift him to my shoulder to burp the little bugger, he lets out a noise that doesn’t come from his mouth. Gross.

Aiden laughs. “Yeah. First, try finding a guy worthy enough to pass the test with all three of your brothers. I mean, come on,” he looks over at Cooper, “one of us is a trained badass, and all of us could bench press anyone you try to bring home.”

Almost everyone laughs, but I don’t find his stupid comment funny. Instead, I stand. “Belles, I’m going to go change Nix’s diaper.” I glare at Aiden. “Did I ever ask Sabrina if she was good enough for you?”

When Aiden’s mouth drops open, I push harder. “Did I ever give you a hard time about any of the skanky girls you dated before the two of you met?” The table gets quiet, but I don’t care. “I’m an adult, big brother. I’ve successfully managed to live across the country for an entire year without needing you or anyone else to step in and handle my life. You can stop acting like you get a say in who I date or what I do whenever you want now.” I run my hand over Nixon’s back. “Or don’t. That’s up to you. But understand you get zero say in who I date and how I live my life. Whether you think you do or not.”

I move down to the end of the table and kiss Coach. “Dinner was great, Coach. Thank you.” Then I walk into the house, passing Declan, Evie, and Gracie as they come back outside.

I hear Dec ask, “What did I miss?”

“Murphy’s an asshole,” Nattie answers.

Coach groans, “Language, Nat.”

“What’s an asshole?” Gracie’s little voice asks.

I take Nixon into the spare room to change him before I can catch the answer.

I’m lying on the bed a few minutes later, curled up around Nixon. His dark hair and even darker blue eyes tell the world he’s every bit his daddy’s son. I’m playing with a soft blue elephant rattle, holding it above him and watching his tiny hands reach for it when there’s a knock on the door, and he and I both turn our heads.

“Come in.”

Belle floats into the room like the former prima ballerina she is and takes a seat on the bed. “There’s my boy.” She traces her finger down the bridge of his nose, then looks at me. “You okay, Carys?”

I look back down at Nix, embarrassed at my reaction. “I’m fine. I shouldn’t have gotten so mad. But Aiden just knows the exact buttons to push.”

“Murphy’s always been a loudmouth, but he means well. He’s just protective of you.”

My heart pangs with guilt over how I snapped and the secret I’m keeping , even though I meant every word I said and am doing what I have to do. “I know. At some point, he’s going to have to realize I’m not a kid anymore.” I tickle the rolls of fat on Nixon’s thighs right above his knees until he belly-laughs. “We’ve got a whole new generation of them.”

“We do,” Belle agrees. “But you were his little sister first. So give him some grace and try to remember that.”

I bring my gaze up to her, then sit up. “I really hate when you make sense sometimes.”

“I really hate that I used Murphy and grace in the same sentence.” She leans her head on my shoulder. “But he means well. Don’t get me wrong. When the time comes, I absolutely think you should rub whatever man you want in his face. But maybe try not to bite his head off in the meantime.”

I pick Nixon up and cuddle him to my chest. “Fine. I’ll play nice.”

Belle takes the baby from me. “Now go have fun next door, and make sure Nattie doesn’t drink too much before the fireworks. She’ll never forgive herself if she’s drunk when Brady proposes.”

I grimace. “Does everyone know he’s proposing?”

“Everyone but Nat.”

Our family sucks at secrets.

I am so screwed.