Parental Advisory Rating: L, N, AC

Break out those V-Chips, everyone!

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Created, Produced, Written and Directed:

I rub my wrist. It’s still tender even after being out of the cast for the past few days. What’s good for a sore wrist? Shopping for a new outfit to go with the other part of the silliest thing I’ve ever done.

Unclipping my cell phone, I can’t help but chuckle. I can’t wait to see the look on Tabloid’s face. Robie and Rene have been really good about helping hide this little surprise.

"Kingsley."

"It’s nice to know I’ve got you properly programmed into my phone, Stud. Could be embarrassing to get you and the girlfriend mixed up," I tease as I head for the Mercedes.

"Right." I hear the smile on her face. "So where are you?"

"Out."

"No! Really? I never would have guessed."

"Where are you?"

"Mama’s."

"Mooching lunch?"

"Of course. Mama would be disappointed if we didn’t."

I have to laugh. It’s probably true. Mama is a very happy woman now that all her children and grandchildren are home ‘where they belong.’ She’ll cook for Harper every day to keep us here if she has too.

"Well, sweetheart, I’m going to be a bit longer than I had planned. I’ve got a little shopping I need to do."

"That you need to do?" I can hear the doubt in her voice.

"That’s what I said," I tease back.

"The world will end if you don’t go spend this money?"

"Yes." I laugh as I unlock the car door and slide in. "It will just blow up."

"Mama, you’ll be happy to know that Kels is on a one woman crusade to save the world from spontaneous combustion by utilizing her credit cards and checkbook." I can hear Mama chuckling in the background. "Mama says it’s very kind of you to make that sacrifice on behalf of the whole world."

"My pleasure. I really shouldn’t be more that a couple of hours. Can I bring you anything?"

"Hmm… Oh yeah, how about some beignets from that little bakery on Fourth Street? Those will be great with coffee and the crossword in the morning."

"Perfect. A long morning in bed with the babies and the Sunday crossword?"

"Sounds like heaven to me."

"Me, too, Stud. I love you. I’ll be home soon."

"We’ll be there."

* * *

"Who’s my man? Who’s my man?" I chant, on my hands and knees beside my new rolly-polly boy. Since he figured out how to do this a week or so ago, he hasn’t stopped. It’s almost funny. He’s also figured out how to lurch forward. He’s not crawling, but he’ll be here in a couple weeks.

Brennan hasn’t started rolling yet. I think she’s waiting until she can simply stand up and walk. She’s my girl. Whereas Collin is more sweet-natured like Kels, Brennan is all grit and determination like me. While Collin and I roll around, laughing, she watches us, clutching her favorite bear to her chest, plotting world domination, I’m sure.

"Huh? Who’s my man?"

"I didn’t know you had a man," Brian murmurs behind me, patting my butt.

Faster than he expects, I fling my right hand back and grasp his wrist, catching him. "I’m betting you and this hand are well-acquainted."

He chuckles. "We’ve met once or twice."

"I’m sure you’d like to keep it around a substantial length …" I pause dramatically, "of time."

"Definitely substantial."

I crack up and release him. "Don’t touch my ass again, Brian."

"Should I be worried about this scene?" a sonorous voice asks from our back door.

I groan and beat my forehead against the floor. Brennan begins giggling, seeming to get the joke. "It’s not funny," I mutter.

"I don’t know, Harper. I think it’s pretty darn amusing."

I look over at Rene and hope I’m not blushing as badly as I think I am. "You breathe one word of this to Kels and I swear …"

She sighs and rolls her eyes at me. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. What can you do to me, Harper? I’m mother to three of your Mama’s grandchildren, and a card-carrying member of the Kitchen Conspiracy. I am sacrosanct." She sashays over, emphasizing the fullness of her hips. It reminds me of the woman of ‘I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan’ fame. "And, on top of it all, I’m Cajun. If your Mama ever found out you even threatened me …"

I bang my head again, causing Brennan to erupt in laughter once more. Women. They stick together. Even at five months.

"I give."

"Good, then you won’t mind wearing this."

From out of the pocket of her sun dress, Rene produces a blindfold. God, do all of us Kingsley couples have one? If she pulls out handcuffs next, I’m outta here. I straighten up and sit back on my heels. "What’s that for?" I have reason to be wary. This is Rene. And Robie, no doubt.

"A surprise."

Brian claps his hands excitedly. "I love surprises!"

"I’m sure you’re not invited," I growl.

"That hardly seems fair." Our nanny can pout with the best of them. He’s been perfecting it especially now since Doug had to return to New York City. Those two have got to figure things out, one or the other has to move. I wonder if Kels will make me put Doug up too.

Better up our grocery allowance.

"Actually, Brian, I was hoping you could watch the twins for Miss Harper Lee while I borrow her."

He pretends to think about it for a moment. "Are you videotaping whatever this is?"

She smiles, showing her pearly whites off to perfection. "Absolutely."

"Okay. Have fun."

With that, my world goes black. "Hey, not so tight," I protest as Rene threatens to cut off the flow of blood to my brain.

"I don’t want you accidentally cheating." Rene puts more than a slight emphasis on the word ‘accidentally.’

"I don’t want to accidentally stroke out."

"Oh, you will, Harper Lee. You will."

Where is Kels to save me? This latest shopping spree to save the world from destruction, which has now gone on for several days, seems even a bit much for my beloved spouse.

Rene guides me to my feet and takes my hand to lead me. "Make sure I don’t squish one of the kids, Ren. Kels would never forgive me."

She chuckles. "I like them, Harper. Don’t worry."

"Love them, love their mother."

Rene turns around and pats my cheek, her breath warm against my skin. "I do love Kels, very much."

"You know what I meant," I mumble, but don’t press it. She leads me out the backdoor, down the short flight of stairs to the backyard. As we step out into the grass, I pause for a moment. "You didn’t leave any rakes lying around here, did you?"

"Tsk, tsk, Harper. What you think of me."

"Hoes?"

Another clucking sound.

"Shovels?"

I get a pinch on the back of my hand for that one.

"Any unexpected holes I should know about?"

"Only the one in your head."

I reach forward and goose her. I may be blindfolded, but I have good senses. She gives a startled yelp.

"Don’t make me put on the hood."

I bet she has one too. "May I ask where we’re going?"

"Sure." We keep walking, I think, in circles, but I could be mistaken. I’ve been a little distracted by the banter.

"So?" I press.

"A needle pulling thread." Rene cracks up at her own joke.

At first, I don’t get it. Then it hits me, ‘The Sound of Music.’ God, I hope no one puts ‘The Lonely Goatherd’ in my head. It’s as bad as ‘Summer Lovin’’ from Grease. What was that old joke? John Revoltin’ and Olivia Neutron Bomb. Wonder what ever happened to her? Or that Debbie Boone chick? I was just in kindergarten when she sang that ‘You Light Up My Life’ song. I still remember Gerrard singing it around the house. I wonder if he was joking, or if he really liked it. I gotta remember to ask him that sometime soon. In public, of course. I snicker.

"What are you chuckling about?" Ren asks me suspiciously.

"Oh, nothing," I say in as innocent a tone as I can muster. I haven’t paid a bit of attention to what we’re doing, truth be told, but I don’t need to let her know that.

Our feet touch pavement and after a few quick steps, Ren stops. "Is your medical insurance paid up?"

"You betcha." I reply with more bravado than I feel, but the Kingsley motto is ‘never let them see you sweat.’ Well, it’s one of our mottos. We tend to make them up as we go along.

"Stand still." Rene comes around behind me and raises her hands to the ties of the blindfold. Agonizingly slowly, she removes it from my eyes.

Oh, yeah.

I gulp and stagger. The song of the day is now officially ‘I got chills, they’re multiplying.’ I feel goosebumps raise all over my arms as I stare at what’s in Rene and Robie’s garage.

It’s a new Harley Davidson motorcycle, an Ultra Classic Electra Glide in Blue Pearl. It’s hot, it’s sexy, and it’s got gorgeous curves.

That exact description that could be applied to Kels, who sits astride it. I drink in the sight slowly: black biker boots, faded blue jeans covered with chaps, white broadcloth shirt – opened a little too much to be quite proper, a black leather vest hanging loose over ample breasts, a matching leather jacket slung over the back of the saddle, riding gloves tucked in the rear pocket of the jeans. "Hi ya, Stud."

I nod, unable to do much more.

Rene thwacks the back of my head. "Where are your manners?"

"Hi," I say softly, stepping forward. "Nice ride."

She strokes the seat near her softly and I feel my blood pressure rise. "Ooo, it is."

"Do you know how to use it?" I challenge, trying to get some semblance of an upper hand here. I doubt if it’s possible, especially if anyone forces me to walk long distances at this moment.

"I know how to stroke the engine. You know me, I never get on anything without knowing how to use it," Kels coos.

I look around for help and am not surprised to find none. I’m on my own here. I swallow and gather the last bit of anything I might have. "You wanna go for a ride, little girl?"

"Well, maybe. Are you the one my mother always warned me about?" She leans forward, giving me an ample cleavage shot, and leers. "Are you the one who’s really bad for me? Who’ll lead me down the garden path and take advantage of my innocent nature?"

Innocent, my ass.

Kels traces a blood red fingernail down the length of the gas tank and up the center of her chest. "Because, if you’re not … blow. I’m not interested."

"Oh, chér, I’m all that, and more." Recovered, I swagger over to her. "I’ll show you what it’s like to have some power between your legs for a change." I let my hand drift down to her thigh, touching it lightly.

Kels slaps my hand, breaking the electricity of the moment. She laughs and shakes her head. "I know what it’s like to have power between my legs. I’ve managed to keep you pretty occupied for nearly two years." I puff my chest out at her assessment, glad that Rene heard it. Let that get back to Robie and the boys. Ha! "I’d say I’m pretty powerful where it counts. Now, shall we talk about the bike?"

I match her smile and trail my hand over its curves. "It’s gorgeous. Whose is it?"

"It’s mine."

"Yours?" I reply. "As in … belonging to you?" She nods slowly, as if I’m a bit slow, which I am at the moment. "Since when do you know how to ride one of these?" I shake my head as a better question comes to mind. "Since when would you want to know how to ride one of these?"

"I’ve been taking lessons for a few weeks now. Got the endorsement to my license yesterday." She takes it out and flashes it at me. "I wanted to learn because it’s something you enjoy doing, and I thought we might try doing it together." She pauses for a moment, and then continues with a touch of insecurity coloring her voice, "Unless this is something you’d rather not share with me. If it is, I’d understand. I’ll just sell the bike and ditch the leathers." She heaves a deep sigh, belying her earlier words. "I thought maybe we’d take a long weekend. Just the two of us. Hit the road, find a cheap motel, and do cheap – and dirty – things to each other."

I reach out and circle her slim hips with my hands, enjoying the feel of the denim and leather intermingled. "First off, my little possum, there is nothing I don’t enjoy doing better with you than without you." I kiss her nose because it’s there. "Second, you ever ditch those leathers and I don’t know what I’ll do. Third, darlin’, you are obviously not from Louisiana when you even suggest staying at a cheap motel. I swear to you, there are bugs in those places bigger than the gators in the swamps. We’ll go to an expensive hotel and do cheap things there. That’ll make it all the nastier." I lean in and nuzzle her neck, drinking in the scent of Kels, leather and new Harley all at once. It’s a heady aroma. "How’s that for a deal?" I murmur against her skin.

Kels hands wind around me, one lodging in the hair at the nape of my neck, keeping me pinned where I am, as if I had any intention of moving. "Oh, that’s a deal, Stud. That’s a deal."

* * *

It wasn’t easy for either of us, but we managed to do it; we’ve both left the babies for the first time since they were born.

I’m wondering which one of us will crack and call home first. Even though we both know that our children are fine and couldn’t be safer or happier. No one at home will let anything happen to them. The truth of the situation is that at just five months Brennan and Collin couldn’t care less. As long as Collin is rolling around like a little monkey, and Brennan has her bear to chew on, they’re both pretty content.

Their Mama and I, however, need some grown-up, non-mom time together. With everything that has happened, and all the changes that we’ve made, we need to get away for a couple of days to be together.

I think I’m having a mid-life crises. Either that or I’m slowly losing my mind. I think I’d rather go with the mid-life crises theory. My therapist called it ‘embracing the wild child.’ He explained to me that I had never really gotten to do that, to cut loose and do something I would never normally do.

Yeah, buying a motorcycle, learning to ride, and dragging Harper away for a weekend of basically smutty, hot sex is pretty much something I would never have pictured myself doing. Previously, I had not only not embraced my wild child, I pretty much grabbed hold of her and slammed her into a strait jacket. But she’s gonna have fun this weekend, that’s for sure.

Harper and I have stopped at a diner for lunch. I’m learning that riding a motorcycle has some interesting effects on the body. Basically, my ass hurts. And I hate the boots. I’m sure once they’re broken in, they’ll be fine, but, right now, they pinch. I hope Harper is in a mood to give me a good rubdown later tonight, because I’m going to need it.

I’m also glad she decided that an expensive hotel would be a better place for our lewd little plans. A place with a nice big whirlpool tub in the bathroom. Okay, I admit it, I’m not quite ready to go completely out of my area of comfort yet. A cheap motel wouldn’t have been good. I still need luxury. And room service.

Shutting down the bike, I take a deep breath as I pull the helmet off and scratch my scalp to free my hair. I hear Harper snicker. She knows this is a trial for me. We’ll see if she’s still laughing when I get her alone in the hotel room. I clear my throat and stow my helmet before I swing my leg over and slide off the bike.

As I approach her, I give her my best smirk. "Laugh it up, Tabloid. I’ll keep this in mind when it’s time to play with the toys I brought." I tug off my gloves, stick them in my back pocket, and head into the diner.

* * *

My wife is an evil, evil woman.

I watch her walk in ahead of me. I do this because I can, and she has a great ass. Yeah, I do so like the way it looks in those jeans and those chaps. Wonder if I can get her to wear just the chaps in the suite this weekend?

Good Lord, I had better get inside before that thought and the sun melt me right into a puddle. Not to mention, I don’t want anyone inside to think that Kels is up for grabs. If there’s any grabbing to be done, I’ll be the one doing it.

Kels is seated at the counter when I go in and I take the stool next to her. She turns to me and grins. "Hiya, stranger, come here often?"

I fight to keep from smiling.

She licks her lips, leers, and then she glances over her shoulder at my bike, visible through the diner window. "Nice ride."

I lift a shoulder, trying to not look too eager to be talking to this blonde stranger. I have a rep to protect. "Thanks. I’m pretty proud of it."

"You should be. It’s hot." She looks straight ahead and sips from a glass of iced tea the waitress has placed in front of her.

I signal for one of those, because my wife is trying to kill me. I need something to cool me down or it’s going to get ugly. It’s plain wrong to be horny for this long. I have been in this state since I first laid eyes on Kels in the garage two days ago. We – or rather Kels and Rene - decided to I had to wait until we got where we were going this weekend. It was supposed to be good for us, to let the charge build.

Well, chér, I’m charged!

"So." She looks at me again with eyes that are stripping off every piece of clothing I’m wearing. I swear, she’s the only woman in my life that’s ever been able to make me feel so exposed … and enjoy it. "You got plans for the night?"

"Umm…" Shit, I know I had an active brain cell a minute ago. Okay, I’m a tall, dark, biker stranger being picked up by a hot, blonde, biker stranger in a diner where there are several interested truck drivers watching this show. "Well, beautiful, that depends on what you had in mind." Come to think of it, the waitress looks awfully interested as well.

Kels leans toward me and stage whispers, "I have this deep, dark, dirty, little fantasy about taking some tall, dark, drink of water to a hotel and just fucking her senseless."

Oh God!

One of the guys groans so I don’t have to.

I look at her. Who are you and what have you done with Kelsey? This is not my wife. I don’t know who this is, but this is not my wife.

But do I care?

Ha! Hardly not.

Kels purrs, "Is it difficult to breathe? You look like you swallowed your own tongue. Whole."

Damn near.

"That’s a shame, too," Kels continues blithely, as if discussing the weather. "I would have much preferred to be the one trying to do that later."

I cross my legs, if only to help a little with the throbbing. I clear my throat and take another drink. Kels smirks, and sips from her tea again. I keep forgetting that she likes to play these games and is really good at it.

"So what’ll you have?" The waitress stands poised in front of us waiting for a reasonable answer, a faint grin on her lips. I’m almost afraid of what Kels might say at this point.

"Burger with everything and fries." Oh, sure, she looks like the picture of innocence and light when there’s someone else around talking to us.

"Make it two and add a chocolate shake to mine."

"One check?" The waitress looks between the two of us, wondering how this scenario is playing out.

Kels grins. "Yeah, and give it to her." She jerks a thumb in my direction. "The least she can do is buy me lunch."

I look at my girl again and wait for the little horns to pop up out of her head. I lean back on my stool and take another good look at her ass.

"What are you looking at?"

"I‘m looking for your tail. I think you must have left it with your pitchfork somewhere."

"I admit, I’m a bad girl." She takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Question is, do you want to be bad with me, or am I too much for you?"

At this very moment, I’m not sure.

* * *

We pull up to the Briarwood Plantation, a little north of Baton Rogue. We’re only a couple hours away from home, should something happen there, but far enough removed for things to be different.

And, boy, are they ever. I appear to have married a dyke on a bike. I’m not complaining, but I think we caused a couple good ol’ boys injuries during lunch. I think the impromptu lap dance wasn’t quite what they expected. How I stayed on that stool, I sure as hell will never know.

Strong thighs.

I do know, I smirk.

And I’m going to put them to good use here tonight, I believe. Oh, yeah. Now I only have to get in there and register us.

My wife slaps my rear, then cops a longer feel. "What’s the matter, Stud? Getting too old to ride?"

"Oh, I guarantee, chér, that I am good to ride all night long."

She shrugs, unconvinced. "We’ll see about that." She leans over her bike and opens up the rear compartment and retrieves a small nylon bag. I reach out to take it for her, but she pulls it back, wagging a finger. "No, no, Stud, that’s mine."

"All right," I drawl, recognizing the shape of one of the items in there. "Where’s your overnight bag?"

She holds up the bag. "This is most of it." She reaches into the other saddlebag and tosses me the bag located there. "That’s the rest. You can carry it."

I heft it and notice it is remarkably light. That pleases me.

I pick up mine. It doesn’t weigh much more. I have a clean pair of underwear, another T-shirt – black and tight like my girl likes on me, another pair of socks, and my toothbrush and deodorant. And baby powder. It makes getting into these leather pants a wee bit easier. But, damn, they feel good.

We swagger up to the main house and enter its refined beauty. It’s Greek Revival mansion, surrounded by live oak, and filled with period furniture. Amidst the oaks are a scattering of smaller houses, built by the original owner for his daughters and their husbands. The most recent owners have renovated the houses, installing Jacuzzis in each, and other luxurious touches.

And I plan on luxuriating in touch tonight.

A patrician woman greets us, only lifting a delicately plucked eyebrow at our attire and attitude. "Welcome to Briarwood Plantation."

"Thank you," Kels responds on our behalf. "We’ve enjoyed the ride here."

A blink and a smile. She must have heard our Harleys pull up. "Yes, I’m sure you did."

"We’re the Kingsleys."

"Of course." She produces a key from the pocket of her dress and hands it over to my spouse. "You have the house in the back. Very private."

"Good," Kels purrs. That’s my girl. I smirk and watch the interchange.

Our host indicates a writing stand to her left. "If you could sign in and if I may have a credit card."

"Stud, you wanna handle that?"

I try hard to refrain from laughing. I pull my wallet out of my leather jacket and find my Amex Platinum. That always makes folks feel better. Even when I’m being treated as a total sex slave.

Especially when.

Come on, chér, let’s get this over with. I’m ready for what’s in the bag. Really ready. Big time ready. Air out the leather pants overnight ready.

Our host disappears for a few moments. Kels signs us in and then comes over and cups my ass through the leather. "Ready to ride?"

If I wasn’t before, I sure as hell am now. "At your service."

A slow, sexy smile spreads across my wife’s lips. "You will be."

* * *

Oh yeah! This is good. I open my eyes and look at Harper, who is seated at the other end of the hot tub. She’s being very good at the moment, gently rubbing my feet and legs like I told her to.

She smiles at me when she sees me look at her. She carefully massages up and down my calves. "Like this?" She pauses for a moment stumbling on the title, she hates this part, but we’ll have to see how bad she wants to play. "Majesty."

I take in a deep breath and twirl my finger in the water. "It’ll do." I have to bite back the grin. The whole point of playing is the playing. We have roles. We are not the people that have to deal with the real world. Tonight, I am the master of this domain and she is merely a body servant. If she’s lucky, I’ll give her a name.

I crook my finger and beckon her to me. She cuts through the water slowly, trying not to smile.

"Eyes down," I remind her. She drops her head and her eyes, but the smile slips out.

"Yes, Majesty, how may I serve you?" She positively purrs this as she gets as close to me as she dares, given the restriction of our roles. This question sends shivers right down my spine.

I cup her face tenderly and kiss her lips ever so slightly. "Dinner. I think you should go order dinner." I kiss her again. "You know what I told you to order."

"Yes, Majesty." I expect her to get out of the tub but she doesn’t. She’s got a good memory for the rules.

"You may go."

I watch her, slowly standing to leave the tub. She knows what she’s doing. She’s showing off six feet of the most perfect body in the world, and she’s in no hurry to cover it up. She takes a towel and very slowly begins drying her body. She starts at her shoulders and arms, making sure that when the towel is blocking my view of one locale, she turns her body so that I might see another. For example, I am now treated to a view of her perfectly toned ass, which I intend to have later.

So she wants to play, huh? Okay, we’ll play. "Come here." I can see that surprised her, but she moves to my side readily. "Turn around."

She gives me a curious look, but turns her back to me. She’s standing still with her towel hanging from her hand. I reach up and run my hand over her backside, eliciting a little whimper and noticing a slight parting of her legs.

Very slowly, I let my hand travel between them, finding warmth and wetness there that’s not a result of the hot tub. I also get a louder moan when I remain where I am and play gently.

A smile tugs at my lips when I see her head drop forward, embracing the moment. "You have something you want to say?" I can barely keep from laughing as I watch her shake her head. I know better. I know she has lots she wants to say, but know she doesn’t dare.

"Turn around."

Taking a deep breath, she turns around to face me and I return to my previous playground. This time I can keep my eye on her face. She’s clenching her teeth and holding her breath. Naturally, I increase the pressure and the speed. She closes her eyes and licks her lips. Damn, that’s hot. I love that look on her.

But it’s going to be a long night. I drop my hand back into the water. "Dinner," I remind her.

I chuckle as one of the longest, deepest growls I have ever heard from her trail her out the door. I cover my eyes with a warm cloth and sink down into the tub, enjoying the warm water.

* * *

I take a deep breath after putting down the phone. Food ordered, I can take a moment for myself. Kels, or should I say, Majesty, has ordered me to dress appropriately to receive dinner.

My version of appropriate and Kels version of appropriate are a wee bit different.

I hold up the thong and demi bra. The thong is white lace and won’t cover much real estate and even what it does cover won’t be left to the imagination. The bra is designed to lift and enhance, and, apparently, keep my nipples readily available should they need to be prevailed upon. Since I’m not nursing the bus boy, I don’t know why I need to be quite so available, but I simply assume we’ll never ever stay here again in our lives. Ever.

If only we could have given fake names when we checked in.

Oh well. At least, I’m not ashamed of how I look. Great metabolism, coupled with lots of hours running, blading, riding, romping with Kam, and now rolling with Collin, have paid off. I like how I look, and I know that both women and men find me attractive. And, if my wife is enjoying flaunting me, I can go along.

No one else sees her, though.

I don’t share well.

"Come!" Majesty beckons from her bath.

I intend on coming, but from the gleam in Kels’ eyes, I think it’ll be awhile yet tonight.

I enter the bathroom and keep my eyes averted, as I have been told.

"Dry me off."

I’d much rather she stay wet.

* * *

I think the waiter who brought us our dinner nearly stroked out the moment he entered the room.

While I lounged in a nice, fluffy robe, in an overstuffed chair in the corner, Harper answered the door in that little number I provided her. And I do mean little number. But, damn, she does look good in white lace. I knew she would. She’s going to be the subject of that young man’s adolescent fantasies for weeks to come. That thought makes me chuckle too. His friends will never believe him.

I take a deep, relaxing breath and rise out of my chair to have a look at the table holding our food to see if anything there pleases me. I look at the food on the table and then at her. She pleases me, and so will this.

I reach down with one hand and take a plump strawberry from the table and dip it in a bowl of heavy cream. My other hand finds one of her full breasts and begins a firm massage, enjoying the sensation of the nipple growing hard against the palm of my hand.

I bite into the berry and continue my massage of her breast. "Oh, that’s nice." I chew the berry very slowly and look to her. Her eyes are closed and she is, no doubt, concentrating on what I am doing to her.

I offer her the rest of the berry, pushing she fruit between her lips. As she eats it from my fingers, I lean over and whisper, "Can you take as good as you give?"

She nods quickly. "I hope so."

"So do I."

* * *

I’m awake early. I’m getting back in the habit. Between the babies and working out every morning, I’m finding that morning is becoming my favorite time of the day.

I look over at Harper’s sleeping form. She was a good girl last night. She took everything I threw at her very well. We were both pretty happy by the time we collapsed in each other’s arms and snuggled until we fell asleep.

We needed this. We needed to get away and pretend for a few hours.

I am damn proud to say that after our one phone call to let everyone know we had arrived safely and check on Collin and Brennan, we didn’t call back. We’re adjusting pretty well to having a real home. There’s something about a house and a yard – and family living next door - that makes it more real and infinitely safer. I can’t explain it. It simply is.

I brush my fingers through her hair, pushing it back behind her ear. One weary blue eye opens.

"Didn’t we just fall asleep?" she mumbles.

"Hmm, no, it’s been awhile."

"I’m tired."

"Ooo, poor baby. Did I wear you out?"

"Well, I got to tell you, Little Roo," she groans as she rolls over, "I’ve been riding a motorcycle for a long time. I’m accustomed to having sore muscles, but I really don’t think I’ll be walking much today."

"So, basically, your plans would be to stay in bed all day?"

"I don’t think I have a choice." She laughs. "Who knew you could do so much damage having your legs apart like that? You, ah, certainly play for keeps, don’t you?"

"You know I do." I lean over and kiss her. "Always have, always will."

* * *

Our day is spent in bed, exactly as I hoped it would be. In the daylight, there are no games, just intimacy. We order in a huge breakfast, and manage to eat every morsel of it. This time the bus boy isn’t given a free look. I meet him at the door clothed in a bathrobe, and don’t even admit him into the suite.

We read the newspaper together, with Kels, at one point, tattooing the answers to the crossword puzzle on my stomach. In felt tip pen, no less. I’ll be scrubbing for awhile later tonight.

I can’t even begin to say how much it means to me that she learned how to ride. I love my Harley, and now I get to share it with Kels.

I like sharing things with her.

Especially that one special toy in the nylon bag.

Smiling, I lean over the side of the bed and retrieve it from wherever she tossed it last night.

Gotta love mornings.

* * *

I park my bike at the back of the driveway and kill the ignition. Unplugging the connection to our communication unit, I head into the house even as I tug my helmet off my head. I can hear Harper pulling into the driveway behind me. We would have arrived at the same time, but she got caught by a red light a block or so from the house.

I place my helmet on the kitchen table and start looking for my babies. I’ve missed them so much. "Brian?!"

"Nursery!" he calls back. "Welcome home."

Heading upstairs to the nursery, I find Brian putting Brennan in her evening jammies and Collin is already changed and in his crib. Letting Brian finish with Brennan, I scoop Collin up. "Hi ya, monkey man," I tease him, giving him a kiss on his cheek. Between his dark hair and that rolling thing he’s started doing, he reminds me of a little baby chimp before it can walk. Rolling is how they get around, and Collin’s doing a pretty good imitation.

Brian turns around and takes a good look at me. "I swear, of all things I would have bet money on for you, Kels," he picks Brennan up and helps her wave at me, "Leather Queen wasn’t one of them." I can hear Harper taking the steps two at a time.

"You’re jealous."

"Heck, yeah! I wish I looked that good in leather chaps." Harper come through the doorway and immediately relieves Brian of Brennan. He gives her an appraising look. "Well, you don’t look any worse for wear, Stud."

She straightens up and gives him her famous glare. "Of course not!" The glare is diminished by her repeatedly kissing Brennan's chubby cheeks.

I bite back the grin. I’ll keep her secret. She does, after all, have a reputation to protect. It wouldn’t do for him to know that I had her begging to rest at one point. Or that she nearly passed out at another.

He seems skeptical but kisses Brennan’s temple, then turns and kisses Collin before leaving us alone with our babies.

I lean up and kiss Harper gently. "Love you, Stud."

"Love you too, Little Roo."

"And we’ll have to do that again, but I got to tell you…"

"Yeah?" She lifts a brow and adjusts Brennan in her arms.

"I’m burning the boots."

<fade out>

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