“I’m sure we can think of something.” Lucky wagged his eyebrows. He carried her to the bathroom, placing her on the countertop while he turned on the faucet. He filled the tub and poured in some of the Sweet Pea bubble bath, swishing it around with his hand to stir it up.

He then slid his hands underneath Baby’s t-shirt and guided it over her head. He hooked his thumbs under the lace trimming of her thong, pulling it off, and letting it fall. He lifted her and gently lowered her into the tub without saying a word. She was thankful the hot water heater was cooperating. The warmth eased her aching muscles.

He dipped the purple loofah into the water and then squeezed on some shower gel. Lathering it up, he massaged it across her back. He still didn’t speak. Heat filled the room as he washed her. First her back and shoulders. He moved down her arms and then her legs. She giggled as he washed her feet. When he was done with her body, Lucky poured water onto her thick mane of black hair, massaging in shampoo with his fingertips. He filled a cup and used it to rinse out the soap.

The silence was palpable. His tenderness stirred something deep inside her. She saw the same desire in his dark eyes. The combination of the water and his touch made her skin flush and tingly. Baby wanted him, every part of him.

Being with Lucky came naturally, as if he were a part of her, a part she never wanted to live without.

After rinsing away the soap and bubbles, he swooped Baby Jade up, wrapping her in a towel. He carried her to the bedroom and placed her in the center of the bed. Lucky leaned in and worked the towel down her body, drying her soft, smooth skin before dropping it to the floor.

He kicked off his boots before pulling his t-shirt over his head and then stepping out of his jeans. Seeing him standing naked in front of her made her breath hitch.

He climbed onto the bed and lowered himself on top of Baby, propping himself up on his elbows, and lingering. His heat made her shudder, sending goose bumps across her bare flesh.

She pushed her palms into his chest and took charge as she rolled him onto his back. Trailing her lips down his hard chest, Baby worked her way down his rippled abdomen.

As her head lowered, Lucky sat upright. “You don’t have to do this. It’s too soon.”

Baby rolled her eyes in jest and her pouty lips curled into a grin. She lowered her head between his legs and held his hard cock with one hand while running her hand along the inside of his thigh. His muscles clenched as she teased the tip of his cock with her tongue, tasting his excitement. The deep groan from his throat when she took his length into her mouth made her juices flow.

“Oh, shit. That feels damn fucking good right there.” Lucky’s body stiffened. His hand found her head and massaged it.

Baby cupped his balls with one hand, taking him into her mouth, and pumping him with the other hand until he was empty.

“Shit!” Lucky popped up and grabbed Baby’s backside, pulling her forward. She straddled his waist and lowered herself onto his throbbing erection. Her pussy, pulsing and wet.

He gripped her ass and rolled her hips back and forth. Her breasts bouncing in perfect rhythm. His piercing stare made her heart flutter, and his quick breaths told her he was getting close. Lucky sat upright and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He folded her in his arms and buried himself in her, running his tongue down her neck. She tossed her head back as he worked his way down, fondling her breasts with his hot tongue, her nipples hard and erect.

Their hips grinding, his skin smoldering against hers until the final thrust that put them both over the edge as an orgasm flowed through their melded frames. The blood surge vibrated through her body.

Still entwined, they collapsed into the bed. Baby rested her head on Lucky’s chest and threw one leg over his. Inhaling, she grinned, as the floral scent of Sweet Pea body wash filled her nose. The thought of him using her shower while nursing her through detox gave her butterflies. His fingertips traced her back and his other hand clasped hers.

“Your hands are soft.” Lucky pulled her in tighter.

“Why do you keep saying that?”

“I know. It sounds weird, but they are. I could hold your hand all day.”

Baby giggled and nestled into his chest.

“Don’t laugh. You’re going to have to learn to take a compliment. I plan on helping you do exactly that.” Lucky planted a kiss on her forehead.

The room went quiet other than the rise and fall of Lucky’s chest. His steady breathing indicating he was asleep. Baby Jade’s body sagged under the weariness from the last couple of weeks. But in the middle of exhaustion, and the aches and pains, for the first time she was content.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Lucky

The shrill sound awakened Lucky from the deepest sleep he’d had in years. Reaching for the end table, it took him a second to realize his phone wasn’t there. He scrambled out of the bed, trying not to wake Baby Jade, and fumbled for his jeans.

He checked the caller ID and was annoyed to see it was his mom again. Why in the hell does that woman keep calling me?

Dammit, today was the board meeting. He wasn’t looking forward to seeing his family. He hated coming back to town for business. It reminded him of the life he almost got sucked into. Thankfully, he dodged the close call.

Lucky studied Baby. Her black hair feathered across the pillow. She slept on her belly with one knee cocked out to the side. The bed sheet covered her from the waist down, revealing silky, dark skin. The peaceful look on her face made his heart feel like it was being jump started like a battery.

Last night was perfect. The way Baby made him feel alive for the first time was crazy. After years of being angry and bitter, he never thought he would see the day he looked forward to the future. He could wake up next to her every single day and never get bored.

Once he got this damn meeting out of the way, the two of them would head off into the sunset. They would finally get their chance.

“Lucky?” Baby stirred before rolling over onto her back.

He moved to the bed and sat next to her. “Good morning, sugar. How’d you sleep?”

Her sleepy smile made everything right in his fucked up world.

Baby scooted back in the bed, and propped herself up against the wall. He would breathe her in if he could, messy hair and all. “I’m not sure I’ve ever slept that well in my life. What about you? You’re up early.”

“I could have laid there next to you all day,” he grazed her cheek with his lips, “but I have my board meeting today. And you know what that means.”

Baby’s green eyes danced. “Road trip?”

“Hell yeah! The bike’s all ready to go. You can pack a bag and go with me to the meeting and we can leave from there if you want?” Lucky knew it was pushing it, but he didn’t want to let her out of his sight. He didn’t know what he had done right in the universe to finally be this happy.

Baby tugged on her bottom lip, nibbling while she contemplated his offer. “I think I’d better stay here and take care of a few things. I still need to pack and talk to Ma’Linn. I may try to see my mom, and I guess I should at least call Mickey.”

He opened his overnight bag and threw on a clean pair of jeans. “I don’t give two shits about Mickey, but I understand. The meeting shouldn’t take too long. Remember to pack light since we’ll be on the bike.” He opened the closet and pulled out a hanger covered in clear plastic, fresh from the dry cleaners. The long sleeve shirt was a burnt orange button down from Duluth Trading Co. It wasn’t something he would normally wear, but it was his idea of business attire.