LOGINThe mountain air was cooling as the sun dipped lower, shadows stretching long across the picnic grounds. Laughter still echoed around us, but there was a subtle shift beneath it the kind you felt more than heard. It as if the trees were whispering something. Apollo’s arm wrapped securely around my waist his fingers brushing against my stomach as we watched Phoe chase Elliot near the water, his laughter carefree, unburdened. Seeing him like that eased something tight in my chest. He looked happy. Safe. He was definitely home. “You okay?” Apollo murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple. I nodded, though I wasn’t entirely sure it was true. Happiness still felt fragile like glass warmed too fast. Beautiful, but one sharp knock away from shattering. “I am,” I said softly. “Just… taking it all in.” His grip tightened slightly, grounding me. “Good. Because this…” he gestured to the chaos of family, laughter, food, splashing water, “this is all ours and soon the twins will be apart o
My body felt impossibly light, as if I might float away at any second while Apollo held me. I was still filled with him, and honestly, I loved it. I Loved the way he lingered inside me, the way he had driven me wild and left me boneless. “We should get back soon,” I murmured, voice soft and lazy as my fingers combed through his hair. “Mmm, we should,” he agreed quietly. “Before Phoe starts looking for us.” Gently, he lifted me from the water. My legs locked around his waist, arms looped around his neck. We were still connected, and with every movement I felt him push deeper. A helpless moan slipped past my lips. “You’re going to make me want you again,” he warned. My answer came in kisses, slow and hungry, pressed along his neck, his jaw, his mouth. I couldn’t get enough of him. It felt like I was starving. His grip tightened, hands cupping just below my ass, as he lifted me only to plunge back into me. The world blurred. My thoughts dissolved into heat and bliss. I forgot
Steam curled off the surface of the hot spring, warm mist kissing our skin as fresh mountain air wrapped around us like a secret. Roses floated lazily across the water — red as sin, soft as surrender. Jess stood before me, bare, glowing in the soft light. Vulnerable. Powerful. Mine. I ached to touch her. To feel her hot melting body beneath mine. In quick movements I removed my clothes I wanted to feel every naked inch of her body against my own. Her voice came like honey over fire. “Devour me, my love.” Something inside me snapped. I closed the distance in two strides, hands sliding to her waist, pulling her body flush against mine. Her skin was warm silk under my palms, soft in all the places that made my breath catch. Her fingers tangled in my hair, desperate, hungry — her lips capturing mine like she was starving. The kiss deepened instantly. Hot. Breathless. Consuming. She gasped when my mouth left hers to trail along her jaw, down her neck, lingering at the pu
The dinner had gone to hell. Completely. Jess was shaken, Phoe distressed — fuck, he even woke up in the middle of the night from a nightmare. I knew I needed to talk to him about what he overheard from his mother on the phone, but not yet — not when he was still that fragile. First, I needed to rebuild his security. His sense of belonging. His safe space. I didn’t want to leave the bed that morning. Jess curled against me, Phoe snuggled on her other side, both of them breathing softly. My family. The one that would grow in a few months. But I wanted to brighten their mood. Give them something warm — something peaceful. Sliding out of bed, I showered and changed before heading downstairs. Most of the family was already gathered. Luke stood at the stove helping my mom and Carl our chef cook. The smell of breakfast filled the kitchen. I kissed my mom good morning, then greeted the room. Once everyone chimed back, I shared the plan: Picnic day. Jess and Phoe had never visit
I watched as Apollo dragged Stephanie out of the room his jaw tight. The moment the door shut behind them the room felt large as if trying to swallow whatever had taken place. Phoe trembled in my arms his little fingers clutching my dress, I held him tighter against me we needed to leave. The doors to the dinning room opened once again Sam and Nicky stepped inside their faces serious. “Let’s head back to the main house” Nicky said his hand positioned at the small of my back giving me support. I nodded while following behind them, I needed to get Phoe out of this space and sadly away from his mother. Finally we were in our bedroom, it was just me and Phoe — small, tired, and curled against me like my heartbeat belonged to him. His fingers toyed with my dress uncertain, fragile. Like if he let go, I might vanish. I brushed his hair back gently. “You okay, Papa?” I whispered. He nodded — but his lip wobbled. “Are you really my mommy now?” My chest ached. Terribly. “I’ll
I could feel the last thread of my patience snapping as I dragged Stephanie down the hall. Her wrist trembled in my grip, heels scraping marble as she struggled to keep pace. My pulse thundered in my ears — not just anger, but betrayal. Fear. My son’s fear. What had she said to him to make him react like that, his fear had hung in the air like smoke — I could taste it. I shoved her into the private lounge and slammed the door. The sound echoed like a gunshot. It shook the walls. I let go. She stumbled collapsing on the couch. Her chest heaved, face pale, stiff, eyes wide, watery, but stubbornly refusing to break. “What did you say to our son?” My voice came out low, shaking with something darker than fury. Phoe had clung to Jess like his life depended on it. Something had triggered him, something she had done. Her silence was gasoline. “Answer me!” The roar ripped out of me before I could cage it. I stepped closer, towering over her. She shrank back instinctively, pressing he







