Evening faded into night, and Mel read to Ethan as Jared put the baby to bed after a bath. They fell into a normal rhythm as if they had the boys all the time.
He didn’t like the look on her face when he joined her in their bedroom.
Something is wrong.
She sat on the end of their bed, freshly showered and dressed for bed in a feminine pink tank top and matching boxers. She combed her light brown waves out so they wouldn’t tangle.
“Why didn’t you wait for me?” Jared stuck his lip out, trying to get a smile.
They often showered together. He wished she would’ve waited so he could’ve held her, or at least coaxed her to tell him what was up.
He wouldn’t have had to keep his hands to himself either way.
His stomach dipped when Mel didn’t even look at him.
“Sorry, with the boys here, I thought it’d be better.” She shrugged.
“They’re two and six. Like they’d know the difference. Besides, they’re both fast asleep.” Jared sighed when she still didn’t spare him a glance.
She didn’t say anything, so he closed the door and crossed the room.
“I told Ethan to come right in if he needed us. Micah curled up right next to big brother on the bed. Cole said they’ve been doing the toddler bed thing for a few months, so I’m not so worried he’ll roll off and get hurt.”
“Yeah, they’ll be fine. Ethan has that ridiculously huge bear they both love. They’ll sleep well.” Mel finally looked at him. A soft smile curved her delectable mouth, but it looked sad.
“Hope so.” He waggled his eyebrows and tugged his gray tee over his head.
“I started today,” she blurted.
Oh.
Jared tossed the shirt into a basket and knelt in front of his wife. Pulled the comb from her limp fingers and put it on the bed. He took both her hands, spreading kisses all over her knuckles. “That’s what you’re upset about?” His heart skipped when she nodded. Her beautiful crystal blue eyes misted over.
“I’m sorry.” Her whisper was wobbly.
“What the heck for?” He pushed off the floor and sat next to her on their king sized bed. Made her look at him.
She swallowed.
He wanted to kiss her throat.
She lowered her lashes. “I…”
“Mel.”
His wife turned her face away, but not far enough he didn’t notice how she sucked in her bottom lip.
“Mel. Look at me.”
A tear rolled down when she obeyed.
Jared cupped her cheek and thumbed it away. “I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you, too.” Her words shook, so he drew her into his arms and sighed.
He never felt more like a stupid guy than at moments like these. Didn’t have a clue what to say. He wanted kids, yeah. But he wasn’t stressed about it.
It’d happen for them when it was supposed to. He sure as hell didn’t mind the attempts. Would rather not keep his hands to himself where Mel was concerned.
Jared pressed a kiss to her temple and squeezed her tight when she burrowed into his chest.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Her statement was muffled against his skin, but her warm breath sent a tingle down his spine.
“Nothing is wrong with you, Melody Renee Manning.” He shook her lightly and she looked up at him.
She sighed. “I don’t mean physically. I mean emotionally. I’m a wreck for no reason.”
“Well, it is that time—”
Mel smacked his chest. “Don’t you dare.”
He smirked. “You said it.”
She narrowed her eyes and mock-glared. “Do you want to sleep on the couch, Detective Manning?”
He chuckled. “Don’t do that to me when the boys are here. Ethan’ll tell Cole and then there’ll be questions about arguments in front of the children.”
A smile played at her lips and Jared couldn’t help it.
He dipped down and claimed her mouth. Told himself not to get lost to her, but he did, like always.
Conscious thought faded as their tongues danced, and someone moaned. His cock jumped in his jeans, letting his zipper take a bite.
Mel finally pulled away, but they both panted. “I can’t…”
“I know, baby.” He cupped her face and ran his thumbs back and forth over her cheekbones. Her beauty stunned him, like always. Especially with her lips kiss-swollen and flushed pink.
“I feel like a failure.” Her pretty eyes watered, making the hue shine.
Even that was beautiful, although he hated when she cried.
“You’re not a failure. These things take time. You know how long it took Nikki and Pete. Yet, they have little Brenna now.”
She nodded in his grip, then grabbed his wrist and squeezed. “I’m still sorry.”
“Then you’re silly. We’ll have kids, Mel. Even if we have to buy one.”
She laughed and tugged away gently. “That might be a little illegal.”
“Happens all the time.”
His wife smirked. “I thought you already skirted the law one time too many, Detective.”
“Don’t remind me.” Jared’s mirth faded a bit when he thought about his older brother in prison, even though Joe had turned himself in.
Prison was still better than getting killed by the bastard that was still on the run.
“Sorry, I don’t want to upset you…”
He shook his head. “No worries. Listen. I love you. That’s all that matters. And next week, when you’re done, we can practice making babies again.”
Mel grinned and his stomach fluttered. “Promise?”
“Like I could keep my hands off you.”
She laughed and Jared kissed her again.
“Let’s go to bed, there are two little boys here that don’t really sleep in much,” she whispered against his lips.
“Right. Especially with a promise like a trip to the zoo.”
She groaned. “It’s going to be a long day.”
“Yeah, but fun.”
“Hey, Ethan can spend the tired tooth fairy’s gift.”
He chuckled. “That he can.”
“Thanks for making me feel better.” Mel smiled softly.
“Anytime, baby. Anytime.” He kissed her one last time before ditching his jeans and crawling into bed.