Page 61 of Rowdy & Kat

“Of course, I do. But I also want to be sexy for you. I think that’s one reason I feared telling you about the boys. I still wanted to be sexy Katie from the back seat, not flabby Kat.”

“Don’t talk shit about the woman I love,” I cautioned and gave her earlobe a warning bite. “I know you came from the kind of family where people walk away easily, but that’s not how I was raised. My mom gave birth to four kids. She got big and felt flabby, but my dad never stopped wanting her. Not because she was hot, but because she was Bebe. That’s how I was raised.”

Kat stroked my face, wanting to believe in something bigger and more magical than she saw growing up.

This woman and I shared a connection. Kat had known that much even back in high school.

But old habits died hard. Kat had been raised by people with chilly hearts, and she trained herself to feel the same way. The only person she let close was Maria.

Now, she had the boys and me. I felt her warming up to my parents. Not just by enjoying their company, but by trusting them to care for her.

One day, she’d trust me like Bebe did Pax. If my love was hot enough, I could thaw the protective ice around Kat’s heart.

KAT

The boys slept far better in their new home than I did. The ceiling fan muffled every noise, making them less recognizable. Soon, my mind morphed every sound into something negative, from cats hissing and babies crying to glass breaking and people arguing.

Unable to do more than doze, I was relieved when the boys began to fuss around one.

Maria, Rowdy, and I adjusted to our new location and kept to our system. Soon, the five of us were on the couch. Rowdy fed Cavan while I cared for Colson. Maria rested her head on my shoulder and yawned.

Having us together this way eased my earlier angst. This beautiful condo wasn’t cozy like the townhome. The masculine décor made the place dark and imposing. Yet, being sandwiched between Maria and Rowdy helped me settle down.

After we returned the boys to bed, Maria pointed at the cats now hiding under Colson’s crib. I smiled at the thought of them adjusting to their new home. If Wicked and Witchy could settle down, I would need to learn to do the same.

I slept better after we returned to bed. The fan comforted me rather than making me obsess over every noise. Sleep came easily once I cuddled against the back of Rowdy and inhaled his familiar scent.

I didn’t wake when the boys got up at seven. Rowdy crept out of bed and helped Maria. I found them at nine in the kitchen, making breakfast. I didn’t ask why they hadn’t woken me. My sister was always trying to get me to sleep more. Now, she had an ally in Rowdy.

My sister poured me a cup of coffee and explained, “Rowdy suggested we order groceries, but I’d like to walk around the store and get a feel for what they have.”

“We can go when the boys are napping,” I replied as I blew on my coffee.

“You shouldn’t be walking that much,” Maria said and glanced at Rowdy. “I will be fine alone.”

“Or,” Rowdy said as he set out the plates, “Ivy could go with you. She likes to shop. Unfortunately, Clint hates grocery shopping and wants to order everything online.”

Maria smiled. “Spending time with Ivy would be fun.”

Instantly feeling rejected, I began to cry. Though blaming my outburst on hormones made sense, Maria and I had long ago embraced our codependent relationship.

My sister wrapped her arms around me and promised to stay home. Rowdy wrapped his arms around us both and insisted Maria should go shopping with Ivy.

“I want to spend time alone with my woman and sons,” he explained. “You’re a fifth wheel.”

Gasping, I wiped my eyes to find him smirking at me. “Don’t tease.”

“Maria knows she has value. Don’t you?” he asked my sister, who nodded.

“I want to go to the store, too,” I said, sounding whiny.

“But I want to hang out here together,” Rowdy said, using the same whiny tone. “I thought we could let my mom watch the boys while I showed you around the condo building.”

“Shouldn’t I also know where things are in the condo?” Maria asked.

Rowdy’s pale blue eyes flashed between Maria and me. Occasionally, he seemed shocked by how tightly wound together we were. Having seen his family’s close bonds, I wasn’t sure why he didn’t understand that Maria and I couldn’t stand to be apart.

Feeling silly for pitching a fit, I backed down about Maria joining Ivy at the downtown grocery store.