The man''s strong, capable arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into his embrace. Instead of heading back to the bed, he gentlyid her down on the couch, his tall frame enveloping hers. She looked so small and adorable in his oversized bathrobe, like a kid


    He wasn''t ying games with her anymore, nor did he try to strip her of the bathrobe. They just melted into each other, deeply connected. Outside, their son''s knocks and cries continued, but Selena dared not make a sound. She bit her lower lip tightly, her hair damp with sweat from the tension.


    ying dress-up in adult clothes, which secretly thrilled him.


    Frustrated, she wed at his infuriating face. He let out a few low, hoarse noises, more like teasing than actual pain.


    "Rx," Everett murmured, leaning down to nt soft kisses along her delicate neck, his voice rich with allure. "Boys aren''t that fragile, and someone will soothe him soon enough..."


    Sure enough, Ava soon arrived, calling out tenderly to their little treasure, then gentlyforting and carrying him back to his room. The sounds outside gradually faded away.


    Selena suddenly understood why he had Avae over. Kate couldn''t handle little Mateo, and since Ava was always there for him, having her around meant he could have Selena all to himself without any guilt.


    Everett raised an eyebrow, "See, right?"


    Damn him. He was calcting every move, ying his cards just right. Selena was both annoyed and resentful, her actions more forceful now.


    Everett didn''t stop her; in fact, he rather enjoyed it. Initially, he managed to feign a bit of gentleness, but eventually, his wild side took over, beyond any restraint. From the couch to the bed, they moved, unwilling to part from each other.


    She noticed that the bedroom ceiling had been transformed into a starry sky, the twinkling stars swaying before her eyes as her vision gradually blurred...


    Afterwards, Selenay drenched, trying to catch her breath with her eyes closed, while he held her close, tenderly kissing the corners of her eyes, full of warmth and longing.


    In that moment, he finally felt the


    reality of having her back in his


    arms. If someone had told him years ago that he''d one day be so enthralled by a woman, willing to give up everything to keep her close, he would haveughed it off.


    He never imagined emotions would hold such weight in his life; he saw them as mere distractions during downtime. His passion was his ambition, his career, his vast world of stars and oceans. How could a


    single woman change all that?


    Yet now, he had be what he once looked down upon. But surprisingly, he didn''t mind and even found it rather nice. Selena was back with him, little Mateo too, only Haley was missing... That was his lingering regret.


    But it was okay; he and Selena would bring Haley back soon enough, and then their family of four could live happily ever after...


    "Everett."


    Lost in thought, Selena''s raspy voice broke through, "You didn''t use protection just now, I''ll handle it." Her tone was matter-of-fact, not up for discussion.


    It was like a ssh of cold water over him. Everett''s body was still basking in the afterglow, but his heart suddenly felt a chill. He looked down at the woman in his arms. She had felt it too and had even reached a peak of pleasure. Why didn''t she understand? Why couldn''t he believe it?