I greet her with a kiss to her cheek, and she takes Eb from my arms, smothering her cheek with kisses.

“How are you, my little puppet?” She smiles, tugging Ebony’s thick locks.

“I’m good Nanna. Are we going to bake while Mommy is away?”

“Oh, we sure are.”

“How are you, Mom?” I beam, taking her in.

“I’m well, sweetheart, and you?”

“I’m good, we’re getting there.”

She leans in closer. “Are you dealing with all the debts okay?”

I nod. “I’m trying not to think about it right now, but yes, I’m getting there.”

“If you need the money...”

It’s sweet of her, and I know if I said the word she’d find it for me. The thing is, she doesn’t have a lot of money, and I’d never forgive myself if I took it from her.

“I’m okay, Mom, I promise.”

“I love you, Jay- bear,” she says, hugging me close and pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“Come on, Nanna!” Ebony cries. “Let’s go!”

Serenity brings Ava down, and after a lot of tearful farewells, they leave. Danny is gone now, too, and so, for the first time in months, we’re all child-free.

We’ve decided to take all the trucks up for the trip, being that the snow is beginning to thicken and we can’t risk getting caught in it with the bikes. We’ve hired four cabins, one for each couple. I can’t wait—although the butterflies fluttering around in my stomach at the thought of spending all that time alone with Muff are sending me over the edge.

I see Muff’s large, black truck parked out front as soon as I step outside, and he’s talking on the phone beside it. It’s not snowing down here yet, but it’s beginning to get extremely cold. Muff has a thick hoodie on, and a pair of jeans that do wonderful things to his ass. I’m wearing a woolen dress, knowing that as soon as I get into the car, I will be warm enough to get away with it.

I head out, waving to Ciara and Addison as I go. I get around the back of the truck, and realize I still have my panties on. Cursing softly, I peer around quickly, realizing no one can see me back here. I quickly grip my panties and lower them. I’m just about to lift my feet out of them, when my foot gets stuck. With a scream, I topple forward.

I land with my face in the grass, and my backside in the air.

My foot is still tangled in my panties, and I kick and squirm, trying to get up, horrified that my ass is on view for the world to see.

“Sweet fuckin’ heaven. Angel, you just made me hard.”

I flush with shame at Muff’s voice, and even more when he grabs my dress, lowering it over my bare ass before helping me up. I bury my face into his chest, unable to look up at him. Shame fills my body. God I’m an idiot. I really am. I feel Muff’s chest begin to shake, and I know he’s laughing at me.

“It’s not funny,” I grumble.

“Always making a grand entrance, like the graceful little swan you are.”

I slap his back, and lift my head, looking up at him. Even though he’s laughing, his expression is hungry. I swallow, and turn my eyes away nervously.

“You ready for this, princess?”

“I’m ready,” I say, detaching myself from him.

“That’s good,” he says, adjusting his leather jacket. “Because I plan on making you come at least five times before we get there.”

Oh.

Shit.

I stand there, gaping at him for a full minute.

He winks at me, and then turns and walks off, not letting me respond. I wrap my arms around myself and shiver. It’s not a bad shiver, either—oh no, it’s a good shiver. It’s a shiver of want, and desperate need.

I force my legs to move and I slowly inch toward the truck, feeling my heart thump. Muff and I have kissed, and gotten a little frisky, but he’s been extremely respectful, I think it has to do with my dead husband. He’s trying not to push me, but now...

Oh, now is a different story.

I grip the door handle of the truck, and I climb in. As soon as I shut the door, the heating hits my cool skin and I sigh. Muff gets in a moment later, yelling out something to Jackson. He closes the door and starts the car, and then he looks over at me. His blue eyes are blazing with need. I turn my eyes away quickly, staring out the window as we begin driving in a line behind the others.

“Did Eb’s go with your mom okay?” he asks when we get out onto the open road.

“Ah, y-y-yeah,” I stammer.

“Nervous, princess?”

I feel my cheeks burn, and I fumble over my next words. The truth is, I am nervous. I haven’t had a man touch me with need since before Ebony was born. Her dad was nothing but a pig, who fucked when he needed it, and if he didn’t, he stayed away. There were no tender touches or orgasms for me. It was all about him.

“I am,” I confess.

“If you’re not ready, princess, you just say the word.”

His voice is gentle, and it tells me he means everything he’s saying. I know he wouldn’t push me, but the thing is, I’m ready, and I’m almost sure he’s holding back because of me. He’s waiting for me to fly the flag. So, doing what any sensible woman would do, I fly that flag. I slowly spread my legs, letting my dress ride up, leaving my pussy on display.

“Fuck,” he hisses.

“I’m ready,” I whisper, turning and staring at him.