Page 61 of Courageous Demands

“Alec!”

“Let’s get in the van – and we’ll confirm all these mysterious sleepover arrangements. I suppose you have your bags already packed?”

Willow couldn’t help but laugh as all five nearly trampled each other to run for their rooms in an effort to get their pajamas and dolls. Alec turned to look at her and smiled.

“Have I mentioned how much I love you?”

“No, and frankly, I’m shocked. For someone who is wanting to roll around in bed all night and do who-knows-what…” she taunted – only to have Alec move suddenly, yanking her to him as his hand curled in her hair possessively, pulling her head backward slightly. He leaned forward and grazed his teeth against her throat, speaking.

“Ten minutes,” he urged, passionately. “Ten minutes at Colton’s house, wife. We’re dropping off the girls, giving pizza money to our friends, and then we’re leaving. You and I are coming home… so which of us has a stomach virus?”

“I’ll be the plague victim…”

“Good girl,” he praised, chuckling softly against her skin and laughing with her. “Now get your shoes on because I’m not kidding. I love our daughters, but they do not need to hear the sounds I wanna make with you in a very short time frame.”

“So no more fibbing about watching scary movies or suffering from a random Charlie-horses in the middle of the night?” she taunted, smiling as he released her and got a mockingly innocent look on his face of sheer disbelief.

“Willow… for shame. We don’t want to warp the children, you know. Heavens! We are absolutely not ever alluding to what or who is creating those noises,” he began – and out slipped a playful chuckle. “I could always tell them it’s their sainted mother…?”

“Oh, you wouldn’t dare…” she laughed, wagging a finger at him.

“Nahhhh,” he grinned, leaning forward to kiss her fingertips, before pulling her into his arms again. “It’s definitely from their lecherous father who can’t stay away from his soulmate. Maybe I’m still making up for all that lost time?”

“I’m glad,” she whispered, leaning up to kiss him. “Don’t ever stop either.”

“Me too… and rest assured, Wife - I’m not.”