realizing they hadn’t spotted him yet, so he said, “Hey.”
They both looked at him, and Aurelia’s face brightened. “Ben! I was just coming to see you!” She ran down the steps as Ben ascended them.
Remi held up her hands, moving out of their way. “Don’t say it, Ben. I’m going to see Aiden right now.”
“Good. But I already narced on you. I told him to give you a day.”
“Ohmygod. You and Aiden really are two of a kind.” Remi glanced at Aurelia, who was bouncing up and down excitedly, and said, “I’m outta here before I get an eyeful of lusty kisses and gropes.”
As Remi descended the steps, Ben gazed into Aurelia’s beautiful eyes and said, “I know I promised to give you space, but we missed you.”
“Life is too fluid for promises,” she said quickly. “I was coming to see you! I didn’t want to be apart for a second longer. I love you, and I missed you both so much. I woke up twice last night, and I hated not having you guys there.”
She crashed her mouth to his, and he swept one arm around her, pulling her against him as he took the kiss deeper. Bea made a happy little sound, and they both laughed as their lips parted.
Ben stepped onto the landing, still holding Bea’s carrier. Aurelia crouched beside her and said, “Hi, sweet pea. I missed you so much, too.” She took her out of the carrier, closing her eyes as she snuggled her and said, “I love you, perfect girl. I’m sorry for yesterday, but we’ll figure this out together.”
Aurelia’s eyes popped open and she said, “I have so much to tell you, and to show you.” She fumbled with her keys, and Ben took them to unlock the door. As they stepped inside, she said, “First, I’m sorry for being human.”
Ben laughed. “Ah, Flossie made you realize it’s okay not to be superhuman?”
“No, you did, Ben. She just made me see it more clearly. Our lives and careers are too busy to think we can do everything on our own.”
“I know.” He set down the baby carrier and closed the door behind them. “My mom is going to help out for a few hours each day, so we can work, or rest, or . . .” He leaned in for a kiss, earning a blush. “And I didn’t get to tell you last night, but Aiden and I are letting Garth and Miller take over the new investment. I’m not going to travel and leave my girls.”
“That’s great about Roxie, but, Ben, you worked for more than a year on that deal. You can’t give it up.”
“I’m not giving it up, Rels. I own the company. I’m just lightening my load so I can pay attention to the things—the people—that really matter. I’ll do what needs to be done, and I’ll have to do a little traveling here and there, but hopefully you and Bea can come with me on those brief trips. I want you both to know you can count on me.” He wrapped his arms around her and said, “The furniture is being delivered to my place tomorrow, and then my mother is going to babysit Saturday overnight, so I can take you on a real date.”
“She doesn’t have to take her overni—” Her words were silenced by the press of his lips.
“You’re my girlfriend, and there’s no way you’re missing out on romantic, fun dates with your man or the incredible all-night lovemaking I’ve got planned for us.”
Her eyes sparked with heat. “That sounds promising. I listened to your tape.” She pressed closer, angling her body to allow room for Bea as she lowered her voice seductively and said, “You sound way hotter than Zach.” She whispered, “And the striptease scene? How did you know that was my favorite scene in Claimed by Love? I’ve got Brett Eldredge’s ‘Lose My Mind’ all queued up on my phone . . .”
Just thinking about stripping for her made him hard. He eyed the baby, feeling like a dick because he wished she were sleeping so they could act out that wickedly hot, romantic scene.
Before he could get his brain to function enough to respond, she said, “But that’ll have to wait, because I have something to show you.”
She took his hand and led him to the guest bedroom. “I know you’re making a room for Bea at your place, but since we stay here so much—and I hope we’ll continue to—I