I let my shirt slide down along my arms and fall on the floor. My nipples hardened under the lace of my bra. I pooled my courage together and looked up at Josh. “Your turn.”

The one-sided smile he gave me was so naughty I wriggled to stick my knees together. Josh’s hands didn’t shake at all when he undid his shirt smoothly and quickly. I licked my upper-lip at the sight of his chest and the sinewy lines defining his shoulders. They were strong shoulders, shoulders I could cry on, shoulders that could shelter me. From anything.

“I love you.” The flatness of my voice clashed with the passion burning inside me.

Josh aligned his body on mine. I expected him to say the words back. Instead he knelt at my feet and his hands circled around my waist. His fingertips brushed my hipbones when he reached for the button of my jeans. I heard the zipper snaking down and felt it against me. Soon my jeans were at my feet and Josh nudged me to step aside. I did.

His palms cradled the back of my calves and then he caressed his way up to the top of my legs, tucking the length of his fingers underneath my panties. Between my legs. They stayed there while my heartbeat plummeted downward. Between my legs too.

He pressed his lips on the fragment of skin between my panties and my belly button, right above my scar. His kiss was healing. It lasted until he spoke, “Undo your bra.”

His gaze burnt me but I didn’t hesitate and, in one move and with steady hands, my bra landed on top of my shirt. I didn’t have time to worry about the scary lack of support because, in the next beat, my panties were around my ankles and, in the next they landed on top of my bra, my shirt, and my jeans.

I didn’t dare to move. I’d never stood naked in front of him—in front of anybody—but I forgot to be self-conscious.

“You are beautiful and I love you.”

“I know.” I knew about his love and, right that second, I felt goddamn irresistible.

Josh stood and he led me like a child to the bathtub. He held my hand while I got into the water. The heat took away any tension left in me. I lay back with the water lapping at my nipples. The steam had left a sheen over my face. I kept my eyes shut the whole time Josh undressed. That was the blushing virgin in me… the virginal mother of one.

He got into the water, facing me, and his legs encased mine. If I stretched, I’d be reaching extra sensitive parts of him.

“You can open your eyes now. I’m presentable.” I did and he chuckled. “You weren’t so prudish the first time in the back of my truck.”

“There was less build-up.”

“Speak for yourself, I was a horny sixteen-year old when we started dating. It took us a year to commit the deed. There were many cold showers, believe me.”

“You never were pushy about it and you made our first time so romantic.” His hands looped around my ankles. “It’s difficult to top tonight though.”

“There were already candles—”

“—and cocoa.”

“We’re old enough now for Champagne.”

“And we’re married.” Okay, now was the time! “Josh, I think, you remember what you said—” Damn, I was rambling. I took a big breath and blurted, “I’m ready now.”

He bent forward, circled my wrists and pulled me over. I straddled him and I welcomed the feel of him against me. “Just in case you haven’t noticed, I’m very ready too.”

I chuckled but the sound ended in a rasp. In a flash, his hands shot from my wrists to my butt, cupping it, and pressing me tight against his hardness. I laid my forehead against his and our mouths were inches apart. His lips had never made me so hungry. I worshiped their curves with the tips of my fingers. It was my turn to make a move. So, very slowly, I lowered my mouth to touch his. Its softness made me shudder and I arched my back.

“God!” Josh muttered against my mouth. He shut his eyes. “Careful, Cass. You want me to last longer than I did at seventeen, don’t you?”

“If my memory serves me well, you over-delivered back in the day.” I didn’t want to think of our night in Oxford because, in so many ways, it hadn’t been us.

“You ain’t seen nothing at all.” Josh’s hands ran along my spine and his lips sought mine, parting them, teasing my tongue.

He made love to my mouth before making love to me.

When we ended in our bed, much, much later, my skin was all pruned and my hair a wet mess. Josh didn’t seem to care. He lay behind me, his chest warm against my back, his hands interweaved with mine.

“Good night, Mrs. MacBride,” he whispered.

“Good night, Mr. O’Malley,” I whispered back.

Josh

The last month had been like saying goodbye to Lucas over and over again. There’d been Thanksgiving and there was now. But now was only for a few days. Cassie and I were on our way to Steep Hill for Woodie’s wedding. After that, we’d be back to Kansas City and Lucas before flying together to D.C. for Christmas. We wanted him to get used to his new home.

“Cass, we have to go.” I tried to ease her away from Lucas as gently as I could. His tight grip on her wasn’t making it easy. They finally let go of each other. “We’ll be back in no time.” I said that to console Lucas but it could have been to Cassie as well.

They nodded, keeping their lips tightly closed, mirroring each other’s expressions. I knelt to level my gaze with Lucas’s. “So, Champ, you have three days to get your bag ready. We’ll be going directly to the airport from here.” I held my hand up and he high-fived me.

“I’ll be ready. Promise.”

I gave him a quick hug. We couldn’t linger on the Sorensons’s porch. It’d only upset Lucas, but it sucked to only be segments of our son’s life. For all our sakes, we had to have him with us for good very soon. Hopefully it’d happen in January.

We returned to our rental car and Cassie let out a heavy breath. The tips of her fingers brushed the area underneath her eyes to wipe away the tears. I was leaning towards her to hug her when my cell rang.

Trisha, Lucas’s caseworker. The call was brief and Trisha wasn’t her usual bubbly self. She wanted to see us ‘as a matter of urgency.’

“What was that about?” Cassie gave me a frown.

“We have to stop by Trisha’s before going to Kansas.”

“Why’s that?”

“No idea. But she wasn’t giving me the option.” I checked my watch. “Her office isn’t too far from here.”

I made sure my voice didn’t betray the concern that had sneaked its way into my guts. I kept the conversation light for the entire drive, but it was impossible to miss the signs of worry from Cassie, starting with the bone-white knuckles clenched tightly around her knees.

She sprang out of the car and I hurried to catch up with her. We’d met Trisha there before and within a couple of minutes we were knocking at the door of her tiny office.

“Come in.” I opened the door and was about to let Cassie enter first when I saw who was sitting opposite Trisha.

I didn’t think twice before stepping forward to stand in front of Cassie. “What are you doing here?”

My father answered with one of his smirks and I knew we were in trouble. For him to be so deadly calm, he must have the upper hand in some devious way.

Behind me I felt Cassie stiffen. She tried to step around me, but I stopped her by wrapping my arm around her shoulders and pulling her back against me.

“Please, Joshua, Cassandra, take a seat.” Trisha waved at the small chair next to the one my father sat in. I led Cassie over to it, moved it as far away from him as possible and made her sit.

“I guess introductions won’t be necessary.” Trisha was a smiling lady, but she was somber today. The way her lips were stuck tight together warned me the shit was about to hit the proverbial fan. “Mr. MacBride,” she cleared her throat, “I mean, Josh’s father here has brought to my attention some disturbing allegations. As Lucas’s caseworker, I can’t ignore them even though we are far advanced in the adoption process. I will also have to share them with your caseworker in D.C… and, of course, the judge if the facts are verified.”