Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 110600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
The list of things I need to get done seems immense, but the moment I go into the cool silence of my bedroom and see Nassakth lying on his back on the bed, I crawl in next to him.
“They are utterly exhausting some days,” he tells me, pulling me against him.
“Most days,” I correct. “Most days.”
He grunts.
“It probably wouldn’t be so bad if it were just one, but three at once and…” I sigh, thinking of the news I have to share.
Nassakth rubs my shoulders. “I think I am too old for this. Did you see that the streak of silver hair by my ear has grown larger? I blame Elkha for that.”
“Oh please. You’re a praxiian in his prime.” I chuckle, running my fingers over his chest in a tired caress. “Did you see how gray I’m getting?”
“Nonsense. You are beautiful and young.”
“Sounds like you need your vision checked, old man.”
He hugs me closer, tucking me against his chest. At naptime, it’s nice to just collapse against one another and take a few moments of quiet. I want to get up and get a head start on the washing before the kids wake up, but I’m too tired to get out of bed.
I stroke my hand along Nassakth’s stomach. It’s rock hard, just as it ever was, and he jokes about getting old, but all I see is my incredibly handsome, impossibly perfect mate who should be touched all the time. “We have a few minutes to ourselves,” I murmur, sliding my hand between his thighs to stroke his cock. “Are you too tired to spend some quality time with your wife?”
“Never too tired for that,” he rumbles, a purr starting in his chest. He drags me forward, pulling me over him until I’m straddling his hips. He looks up at me with a sultry look of promise. “Which part of me do you want to mount today, my pretty Kim? My mouth? My cock?”
I lean forward, my breasts brushing against his chest. “I think—”
“Mommy?”
Laina. I glance over at our door, left open just a crack in case the kids need us. Sure enough, my daughter stands in the entryway, her thumb poised to return to her mouth. I slide off of Nassakth with an apologetic caress. There won’t be time for this now, it seems. Hopefully later, we’ll be able to spend some quality “alone” time together. I never thought I’d enjoy quick, furtive sex…but then I had triplets and learned to appreciate every damn moment. “What is it, honey? Mommy and Daddy are laying down for a nap.”
“I wet the bed again.” Her lip trembles and she stubbornly shoves her thumb into her mouth, blinking hard.
I fight back a cry of frustration, because it means more laundry, but there’s nothing to be done about it. I smile and pick up my wet daughter, patting her back. “It’s all right, sweetheart. Let’s get you cleaned up and fix up the bed, okay?”
“Are you mad?”
“Not at all,” I say soothingly, and any frustration I might have had disappears in an instant. “Let’s get you in clean clothes and get your brother and sister moved over to the bed in the guest room, all right? Then you can finish your nap and Mommy will take care of everything else.”
My daughter buries her face against my neck, purring like her father, and even though she smells like pee, I couldn’t love her more in this moment.
By the time dinner is finished and all the dishes put away, I’m exhausted. At night, we normally watch a vid together—something clean and appropriate for the children—or play Slapjack, a family favorite. Tonight, though, I’m too sleepy to do much more than smile gratefully at my mate as he puts on the children’s favorite vid and pulls me against his side. I curl up next to him on the oversized sofa as Elkha, Laina, and Keth promptly crawl all over us, draping themselves over their father (and me by extension) like kittens.
I stroke Elkha’s fluffy hair as pink space critters bounce around on asteroids, warbling songs, just enjoying the quiet time. It’s nights like this that are the best; quiet nights with family, just enjoying being together, my children on my lap and my mate at my side. I feel so content that my heart can’t hold all my happiness.
Nassakth’s comm unit buzzes.
He groans, getting to his feet and moving the children, then heads to the panel and studies the screen. Once he does, an even larger groan escapes him. “Bethiah.”
Now I groan.
“Auntie Bethiah!” Elkha cries, bounding to her feet.
“Auntie!” Laina calls, chasing after her sister. Keth trots after the girls, my quiet little son, and then all three children are bouncing around their father’s legs, wanting to join in the video call with the bounty hunter.