Queen of Quarantine (Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep #4) - Caroline Peckham Page 0,267

It was like there was a fertile little witch living in my head casting spells on my mind to make me think labour might just be bearable the next time. If I did get pregnant again, I was absolutely having a C-section. But I wasn’t going to do it again anyway so that was irrelevant. We had four beautiful children and that was plenty to fill my heart to the brim.

“You’d better hide it, I’m gonna go and get Saint,” I said with a smile. We’d banished him to his music room while we set up the party and he was more than happy to comply. He’d probably have stayed in there all day if I didn’t fetch him. He was about as keen on us making a fuss over him as he was about poor grammar. But I just pulled the ‘kids love a birthday party’ line on him and he had no choice but to accept it.

Nash put the cake in the fridge and I placed MJ down so he could toddle after him outside. I jogged away through the halls and made it to Saint’s music room, listening to him play as I waited for a lull before I disturbed him. I knew he wouldn’t mind me walking in, but I also loved to bathe in the pure peace of his music, knowing he was lost to its embrace.

The music stopped and his voice rang through the room. “I know you’re there, siren. Don’t keep me in suspense.”

I released a breath of amusement, pushing through the door and stepping into the beautiful room. He’d drawn the black-out curtains and a single candle was lit up on top of his piano, our black cat Debussy just a shadow beside it, her eyes shimmering like a demon’s. She mewed in greeting as Saint turned to me and patted his knee. Besides Saint, I was the only other one of this household she tolerated and I guessed that was because us girls had to stick together. Although I was pretty sure she’d steal my devil boy from me in a heartbeat if she got the chance. The girl was smitten since she’d shown up on our porch and Saint had taken her in, and I guessed I couldn’t really blame her.

“Shut the door and come here,” he commanded.

“But everyone’s waiting for you to join the party,” I said teasingly and he groaned.

“Yes, I am well aware. Now do as I ask. It’s my birthday after all.”

I kicked the door shut with a smirk, moving over to perch on his knee and his hand skimmed up my thigh as he leaned into my neck and breathed in deeply.

“You are looking edible as always.” He kissed the soft spot behind my ear, tucking my hair away to give him more access as he nibbled along my flesh.

“Come and join us outside,” I urged.

“Are you all going to make a spectacle of me?” he asked, tilting my head around to steal a kiss.

“Yes,” I purred, running my hand down his black shirt to feel his heart beating powerfully under my palm.

“I detest fuss,” he said and I laughed.

“You don’t seem to mind it so much when I fuss over you.” I ran my hand lower and he chuckled darkly before capturing my wrist.

“Well you are the exception to every rule I have ever lived by, siren, so that does not surprise me.”

My heart fluttered as Saint’s fingers moved further up my thigh but Debussy jumped on my lap right on top of his hand and nuzzled her head into his chin.

“Pussy blocker,” I laughed, stroking her and she mewed innocently. “She wants you to herself.”

“Well the chances of a cat killing you are low, Tatum, but never impossible,” he said with a smirk then tilted Debussy’s chin up to look at him. “If you must murder someone, make it that nosy neighbour along the street who always stares at our girl.”

“Mr Newton is in his nineties,” I laughed.

“Then no one will suspect a thing when he dies in his sleep,” Saint said and I smacked his arm.

“You’re the Devil,” I breathed.

“In the flesh,” he agreed, flashing me his teeth in the dark.

A pounding of little footsteps pattered this way and the door swung open, revealing Caesar there, looking like the embodiment of mischief.

“Caesar!” Kyan’s booming voice sounded through the house. “You’re in trouble when I find you.”

“Uh-oh, what did you do?” I asked as he scampered forward and crawled under the piano.

“Shh, mom,”