“Come, babe,” I whisper and his eyes snap open. He kisses me hard and cries out as he comes, rocking his pelvis against mine as he releases into me.

“Oh, God, baby.” He lets go of my hands, letting my legs down, and buries his fingers in my hair. I wrap my legs around his waist and run my hands down his sweat-dampened back. He’s kissing me gently, our breathing is slowly returning to normal. He pulls back just slightly so he can focus in on my eyes and says, “It’s only you, Julianne. It will only ever be you.”

***

Nate’s in the back yard over-seeing the crew setting up the tent for today’s party, and I’m more than a little bemused.  How did this happen?  How did this amazing man muscle his way into my life and start helping me handle things?

And why doesn’t it scare the shit out of me?

I put the finishing touches on my makeup and approve of my soft gray, wide leg slacks, white button-up blouse and wide black belt cinching my waist.  I’m wearing my black Choos, and my hair is in a loose chignon, makeup simple.  Birthday diamonds wink at my ears.

God, I love fashion.

Once downstairs, I survey the kitchen and grin.  There is always too much food at our family parties, and today is no exception, but the whole kitchen and dining area is full of soft pink and gray.  Puffy tissue paper pom poms hang from the ceiling, and the linens on the table and breakfast bar match.  My dining room table boasts a gorgeous display of pink frosted cupcakes stacked on several tiers, and the top tier is a small eight-inch round cake frosted in white and covered in delicate pink flowers.

I walk out into the tent that is now an extension of the house and gasp.  Oh, it’s so pretty out here.

The party planner brought in heaters for the tent.  It is spring in Seattle, after all.  A faux floor has been laid so we don’t have to walk on damp grass.  There are tables and chairs scattered about with more pink and gray table cloths, and long pink, gray and white sheets of fabric are draped from each corner of the tent, gathered into the center, and more softly colored tissue pom poms are hung, suspended over the tables.  They even thought to weave white Christmas lights through the fabric, giving the space a sweet glow.

Alecia, my new party planner, is getting a big, fat bonus.

“Are you happy?” Nate asks as he wraps his arms around my middle from behind and kisses my neck.

“It’s so beautiful.  Natalie will love it.”

He smiles against my neck. “You’re beautiful.”

I turn and gaze up at him, running my fingers through his soft black hair.  He’s wearing a gray button down, fitted shirt and black slacks. His sleeves are rolled up, giving me glimpses of that sexy tattoo.

I want to lick him.

“You don’t clean up so bad yourself, you know.”  I smile and brush his lips with mine.  “They’ll be here soon.  Are you ready for this?”

His smile fades as he sees the apprehension in my eyes.  “Yes.”

“They’re going to like you.  After they beat the crap out of you.”

That brings the smile back and he laughs.  “Why are they going to try to beat me up?”

“Because you’re a man, you’ve had your hands on me, and they love me.  And I think it has something to do with owning a penis.  It makes men want to beat the shit out of each other.  I’m thinking about doing research on it.” I shrug, trying to look nonchalant, but I’m really nervous.

Really. Nervous.

“Have they always beat up your boyfriends?” he asks.

“I’ve never given them an opportunity.”  I shrug again.  “I don’t bring men home to meet them.”

“Why not?” he runs his knuckles down my cheek.

“No one’s ever deserved to meet my family before.”

His eyes flare and his hold on me tightens.  “Julianne, I…”

“There you are!”  My mom bursts through the back door of the house and into the tent, her arms open for me.

Gail Montgomery is a petite blond woman with a big heart and loud laugh.  She’s happy, kind, and I want to be her when I grow up.

“Hi, Mom!”  I pull out of Nate’s embrace and wrap my mom in a big hug.

“Your father and I pulled up at the same time as Will and Matt.  They drove together.”  She swings her eyes to Nate and smiles wide.

“Mom, this is Nate.”  I smile reassuringly at Nate, but he’s already kissing my mom’s hand and laying on the charm.

Why am I surprised?  This man charms people out of millions of their dollars every day.  He’s going to be fine with my family.

“Mrs. Montgomery, what a pleasure.”  My mom melts, and gets a gooey look on her face, and I can’t help but smirk.

“Well, hello Nate.  Please, call me Gail.”

“Why is it so fucking pink in here?” Will pushes his way into the tent his hands on his hips, glaring at me.

“Because, douche bag, Natalie is having a girl.” I punch him in the arm before I kiss his cheek. “I owe you,” I whisper.

He looks down at me with a frown.  “Huh?”

“I’ll explain later.  I have someone I want you to meet, and I want you to be nice.”

Will isn’t really the one I’m all that worried about anyway.

“Will, this is Nate McKenna.”  I step back and bite my lip.  My brother is taller than Nate by a good three inches, and is wide-shouldered, muscled, and strong.  He’s a freaking football player for the love of Moses.