After the Climb (River Rain #1) - Kristen Ashley Page 0,73

took off to the den and came back with at least ten board games.

We’d started with Code Names. Moved on to Splendor. And then got serious with Ticket to Ride.

This through beer, wine, and after Sasha told them I was the Cookie Monster, the boys “throwing together” some sugar cookie dough that they dumped mini M&Ms in, which we all took turns getting out of the oven, or putting more in, and obviously eating them.

Warm.

The best.

In fact, the whole night was the best, with Duncan, his boys and my girl (and cookies)>

What could only make it better was if we’d had Chloe, Matt and Hale.

But when it started getting late, Duncan announced, “Takin’ your mom and Cookie back to the hotel, Sash. You can bunk there with her but want you to know you’re free to use Chloe’s room here.”

This got a trio of, “Chloe’s room?”

Sullivan’s and Gage’s were surprised. Sasha’s was pouty.

“Sasha’s room now, if she chooses to take it,” Duncan corrected.

“I’m staying in my room. And Mom,” she aimed at me, “you shouldn’t be carting Cookie around like that. She’s going to get stressed.”

“She’s fine,” I said.

“She’s going to get stressed,” she repeated.

“Does she look stressed?” I asked.

Curled up in Gage’s lap, purring, she did not look at all stressed.

“Well then, breaking the code you seem not to be able to decipher, we’re all adults so don’t be goofs. We won’t get complexes because you two are sleeping together,” she returned.

“Totally,” Gage stated.

“Yeah, it’s actually kind of weird you’re taking Genny back to the hotel. Especially since her daughters stay here,” Sully put in.

Duncan looked to me.

I was completely on board with staying in his beautiful room.

With him.

Tom and I had had a very active and fulfilling sex life, until I descended into my head. It wasn’t like I hadn’t carried on the intimacy with my partner with my children under the same roof.

Of course, the first time I connected like that with Duncan after our long absence from each other, I would prefer our children not to be in the house, even if they were all on the far side, which in this house, was far.

But we could sleep beside each other and wait on that (for the moment).

Most importantly, I didn’t want to leave him.

I didn’t want to leave my daughter.

I didn’t want him to have to leave his sons.

And I actually did worry that Cookie would get stressed.

So I shrugged.

Duncan grinned.

That was his choice too.

We retired before the kids did and we did not reconnect in that way.

I’d brought a bag with a nightgown, a change of clothes and my toiletries.

So we both got ready for bed, taking turns in the bathroom.

And then we climbed under the covers, Duncan gathered me in his arms, and we whispered to each other with zero humility about how great our kids were.

Until we fell asleep.

Or at least I did.

And I’d slept great.

In bed in Duncan’s arms, something peaceful and right and beautiful that I never thought I’d have again?

Oh yes, I’d slept like a baby.

Now was now.

The kids were riding.

We still hadn’t talked about what to do about Samantha.

I needed to call my son to inform him that I was seeing a man, and it was serious, not to mention discuss other things with him.

And I needed to sort things out with Tom.

The shower went on.

I reached out, took a sip of coffee, and grabbed my phone, which Duncan had plugged in my charger so it could charge while we slept.

I texted Tom, Just so you know, Sasha is here. And I understand why you’re angry. You have a right. Now we need to talk it out. I’m here whenever you’re ready.

After I sent that, I set my phone aside, took another sip of coffee, tossed the covers from me and got out of bed.

It wasn’t the time and it wasn’t right.

Yet it was always the time and it was always right.

But bottom line, Duncan was naked in the shower and there was no way in hell I could lie in his bed, knowing that, picturing him there, without touching myself.

And I vastly preferred him touching me.

He’d closed the smoky-glassed double doors that led to the bathroom.

I opened one and went through, shutting it behind me.

The shower was pride of place.

Now it had droplets on the glass walls, and it was steamed a bit.

But there he was.

My Duncan.

I’d been right when I first saw him again, and I’d felt it in our makeout sessions (but not seen it),