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JETT SAT AT HIS LAPTOP the following morning, a smile playing about his lips. He’d taken Anna over and over last night, the memories enough to make his dick twitch. She’d cried out his name so sweetly, he’d wanted to make her come apart repeatedly, his mouth and hands everywhere. He’d risen early to get some work done before he headed into the office, leaving Anna sleeping soundly, her blonde hair spread over the pillow, the sheets covering her naked form. He hadn’t heard baby Brody yet and was thankful the nanny had been able to stay the night watching him. While Anna preferred doing everything herself, he loved giving her a break and having some alone time with his fiancée.
His gaze tracked around the kitchen, and he smirked at the mistletoe Anna had hung in the doorway. He’d joked earlier that week that he’d give her a very different kind of kiss beneath it, with his mouth on her delectable pussy.
She’d smiled sweetly and encouraged it—then Brody had started screaming.
Feasting on her last night in the kitchen had been a memory he’d not soon forget. It was different now with a baby in the home, and in a few short years, they’d have young kids running all over the place. He couldn’t wait.
The buzzing of his cell phone had him glancing down, and he was surprised to see his brother’s name on the screen. Jett swiped the button and lifted the phone to his ear, speaking in a low voice. Although he had an office to work in, he enjoyed sitting in the kitchen most mornings, taking in the silence of the home and view of the trees and forest out back.
“Slate. It’s early on the West coast, brother.”
“That it is,” Slate replied. “I’ve got a team on the ground I’m monitoring, so I’ve been on base all night. We’ve got another hour or so before all hell is about to break loose. I’m waiting on an update from my men. There’s no rest for the weary,” he quipped.
Jett chuckled. “You love your career, although being in the Navy means you’re at the beck and call of Uncle Sam. I take the missions I want and am home when I want. I’ve got a family to be here for now,” he pointed out. Slate didn’t seem to mind being single in the least, but Jett enjoyed ribbing him nonetheless.
“How is your better half?” Slate joked. Jett could picture the smirk on his brother’s lips. Slate was married to the military, although Anna had sworn that she would set him up one day. How that would happen when they lived on opposite coasts, he wasn’t sure, but he wouldn’t put anything past her. Anna was determined when she set her mind to something. His brother and Anna had only met twice, but Jett knew she’d charmed him the way she did everyone. It was tough to say no to Anna, a fact he knew all too well. “Did I tell you Anna called me yesterday?” Slate asked.
Jett barked out a laugh. “I knew she was up to something. I got a bit distracted with her last night, but I’ll find out what she’s up to today. What’d she say?”
“She swore me to secrecy,” Slate said, sounding amused. “I’m normally against surprises, but this one was good.”
“Damn. I’ll get it out of her,” Jett promised.
Now it was Slate’s turn to laugh. “I doubt it. She’s quite determined to keep this one under wraps. She’s doing good though?” he asked. “With the pregnancy? She sounded happy.”
“She’s doing great. Are you ready to be an uncle for the second time?”
“Not at all, but I won’t be volunteering for babysitting duty either. Fortunately, the Navy keeps me quite busy.”
“Don’t I know it.” Jett looked up as he heard the sound of a baby crying just then. “Brody just woke up. I better get him since I wanted Anna to sleep in. She’s got a sixth sense when it comes to that kid.”
“I still can’t believe you’re a father now,” Slate said, but Jett could hear the amusement in his voice. “A fiancée. A new baby. I’m glad you’re happy. You deserve it.”
“She’s good for me, brother,” Jett said, repeating what he’d told Slate a year ago when he and Anna had first gotten engaged. Slate had been shocked at the sudden news given that he didn’t even know Jett was dating someone. It was quick but absolutely right, and Slate had warmed up to her, as Jett knew he would.
“I can tell. You need someone like Anna to keep you on your toes. Keeps you young,” he joked.
Jett’s lips quirked. “I have a feeling a houseful of kids will do that to a man. That along with a younger woman.”
“She is young, but you work as a couple. Not everyone can handle you, so I give her credit for that. Hope to see you one of these days,” Slate said.
“Copy that. Go take care of your SEAL team’s business. I’ve got my own little Army I’m starting here.” Jett said goodbye and ended the call, wondering what had prompted that out-of-the-blue chat with Slate. Aside from the tip that Anna had called him last night, Jett still had no idea what his woman was up to. It had to be good if Slate was amused enough to call, he thought with a wry smile.
Damn his brother for not filling him in. No doubt Slate loved knowing something he didn’t. Brody’s cries continued, and Jett rose from the table, eager to see his child. He’d find out what Anna was up to one way or another, and he couldn’t wait.
***
ANNA PICKED UP BRODY, soothing him as he screamed. Their nanny had already given him a bottle, but the poor thing still hadn’t calmed down. “It’s all right, baby,” she murmured, swaying him back and forth. “You just wanted your mommy.” She moved around the nursery, smiling as she sensed Jett at the door. Her skin heated anytime he was near, and that hadn’t stopped since becoming a mother.
Last night had been incredible. Jett had made love to her in the steamy shower and then washed every inch of her body, going down on her once more as he declared he’d never get enough of her sweet taste. They’d eaten dinner by candlelight, and when he’d taken her to bed, Jett had thoroughly kissed and caressed every inch of her before taking her in various positions. Anna was deliciously sore and couldn’t remember the last time they’d had a night entirely to themselves like that.
“You snuck out of bed early,” she chastised, looking at Jett over her shoulder. He looked dark and delicious in the doorway of the nursery, almost too rough and masculine to be in such a sweet space. Almost. Because he doted on her and their child.
His eyes darkened as they tracked over her, taking in the curves concealed beneath her silk robe. “I didn’t want to wake you after keeping you up all night.”
She shot him a heated look. “You were very thorough.”
“I was,” he agreed, his voice rich like warm caramel as he moved closer. Soon both Anna and Brody were in his muscular arms, exactly where she wanted to be. “I didn’t get here fast enough,” he said. “I wanted you to sleep in.” His hand landed possessively on her stomach as he kissed her temple. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Good. I slept like a baby once you let me rest,” she said with a wink. “Well, not our baby. He’s a terrible sleeper, but we love you anyway,” she cooed.
“Want me to hold him while you shower?”
“Coffee first,” she declared. “I sent the nanny home since today is my day off.”
“Smart, because what if she caught us with my hands all over you?” Jett asked huskily, letting them roam. Anna still held the baby to her, but his hand slid up from her belly and he palmed one breast, letting his thumb graze over her nipple as he kissed her.
“Mmm,” she said. “You can’t tease me like that when I’m holding our son.”
Jett raised one eyebrow.
“That’s like cruel torture,” she said as he squeezed her breast gently, kissing her once more before he stepped away.
“Someone’s got to make the coffee,” he said.
“Yeah, yeah,” she mock-grumbled, following him into the hall.
Jett’s amused gaze caught hers. “I spoke with my brother this morning,” he said nonchalantly.
She stilled, shock coursing through her. “Slate? I’m going to kill him,” she muttered. “He promised not to say a word.”
“He’s a trained Navy SEAL with multiple teams under his command,” Jett pointed out. “They’re lethal. Killing him would be tough, even for you, sweet Anna.”
She shot him a withering look, and Jett chuckled. “Don’t worry, he didn’t tell me anything. Claimed he was sworn to secrecy or some such nonsense. He just likes goading me,” Jett said, shaking his head. “I’ll get him back one of these days.”
“As you should,” Anna agreed.
“Sweetness, I wouldn’t let him ruin your surprise,” Jett said, sounding amused.
“Yeah right. You love to have the upper hand.”
“Exactly. I told him I’d find out myself exactly what you’re up to.” He flashed her another look, his eyes twinkling.
“Jett, you would not! You are not going to ruin your Christmas surprise. Promise me you’ll behave.”
“That I will never promise.”
She huffed past him, moving into the kitchen. “You will if you know what’s good for you. Now where’s this coffee I was promised?”
Jett guided her to a chair, and she could see him biting back a smile as she sank into it with a sleeping Brody still in her arms. Jett ducked down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. It was sweet coming from such a gruff, protective man, and she flushed despite herself. Jett was always surprising her, a walking contradiction in many ways, but she loved their life together. Now she’d just need to pull off the surprise of their lives and marry the man of her dreams before Christmas.
