Daddy Next Door (16 page)

“I couldn’t agree more,” he said softly as he cupped her bare breasts. He dropped a kiss on each breast and then pulled her to him and kissed her again. “Jen, I love you so much.”

“Even more than the women in Hollywood?”

“They couldn’t even compare to you. They’re fool’s gold, Jen. You’re twenty-four karat. Tomorrow, we’re going to find you a ring. In fact, we’ll get both of us a ring. I want everyone to know that I’m taken.”

“Me, too, but you seem to be a little distracted. Have you forgotten what we’re doing?”

He laughed. “No, I haven’t forgotten, sweetheart.” He kissed her again while he removed the rest of her clothes as well as his. Then he suddenly stopped. “Do you have a lock on your bedroom door?”

“No, but I’ve taught the girls to knock before—”

“What’s that?” Nick gasped, rising up.

“Nick, it’s the sprinkler system. It comes on every night. The girls are sound sleepers, I promise.”

“Okay, but when we look for a house, we need a door with a lock on it. I don’t want to have to explain the facts of life to the girls just yet.”

Jennifer laughed. “I’m sure you’d do a great job of it.”

Nick shuddered. “Maybe, in a few years, but I’d prefer to discuss the facts of life with you—tonight.”

Jennifer wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m a quick learner, Mr. Barry, I promise.”

He smiled at her. “Oh, I believe you, the future Mrs. Barry.” Then he buried himself in her welcoming warmth.

A
FTERWARD AS SHE LAY
in his arms, Jennifer said, “Do you realize we forgot to use a condom?”

“Yeah, but I promise I’m safe. I don’t have any diseases.”

She laughed. “That’s not what I was worried about.”

“It’s not?”

“No. I’m not on any birth control.”

“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that. Is that a problem for you?”

“Not for me, if you can handle
four
children.”

Nick grinned. “What’s one more? And maybe we could have a boy this time.”

“This time? You forget I didn’t give birth the other three times?”

“No, but I think they’re your daughters in your heart, even if they aren’t your daughters by birth.”

She cradled his jaw in her hand, looking into his eyes and seeing his love for her and the girls. She’d taken in the girls to give them a loving home and somehow she’d found a man to give her the family she’d always wanted. How had she ever gotten so lucky to find Nick? She may never know, but she’d spend a lifetime reveling in their happiness.

She smiled at him. “They’re your daughters, too. After all, Missy claimed you that first day.”

“Yeah. That was the luckiest day of my life.”

“For me, too, Nick. For me, too.”