Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
“No.” She shakes her head. “It’s a lot better.”
“And why’s that?” I slip my hand over hers, grazing the ring to make sure it’s real.
Yeah, this is our honeymoon. But I’m still in total disbelief that she said yes. That we had our wedding. That she went from being my princess to being my wife. I’ve got a feeling it’ll never truly sink in.
Part of me doesn’t want it, either. I’d rather live in my blissful state of whimsy.
“Because the last time I wanted to come here, I didn’t have you to dream about.” She smirks.
And just like that, I’m ready to forget about the beach and spend the next two weeks hidden away with her in the hotel’s bed.
“You’ve gotta be careful with what you say, princess,” I say through gritted teeth. “Otherwise, I might forget we’re in public.”
“Who says that’s not what I’m chasing?” She lazily scans the length of the beach. “Doesn’t look like anyone’s paying attention to us anyway.”
Groaning, I shift around to adjust my shorts and hide my growing erection. She might be teasing the idea, but my body doesn’t understand the difference.
When it comes to Callie, it’s always revved up and ready to go.
“Oh, but they will.” I trail my fingertips against her belly, and she wriggles from the ticklish sensation. “Have you seen your stunning body?”
I can’t look away from it. Even in a bikini that leaves very little to the imagination, she’s still too clothed for my liking.
“Now, you’re the one who needs to be careful, Daddy. You’re putting ideas in your little princess’s head.”
Fuck.
It’s like everything she’s said since we arrived on our honeymoon has been expertly crafted to break me.
And it’s working.
Seeing the anguished look on my face, Callie laughs and tosses her head back. She drinks in the sky while I bathe in her absolute beauty.
This right here, this is what life’s all about. Finding the person who makes life worth living and not wanting to spend a second of it without them.
I could stay right here forever.
But my wife has other plans, and I go where she goes.
“Let’s go for a swim.” She jumps off her towel and offers me a hand.
I accept, but do most of the heavy lifting to stand. It’s a sweet offer, but there’s too much meat on my bones for her to move.
“Only if you behave yourself.” My turn to tease, though I’ve never gotten it down the way Callie has.
“Then you might as well sit back down.” She winks at me and starts walking to the water. “Because there’s not a chance in hell I’ll be a good girl when being bad is so much fun.”
“You know that’s why I love you,” I say, following so close behind I’m pretty much inside her already.
“And I love you.” Callie takes my hand and starts running to the water. “Don’t you ever forget it.”
I never could.
Never want to.
Never will.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
CALLIE
Two Years Later
Istare in awe at the tiny girl in my arms. Bundled up in a light blue blanket, with big blue eyes wide open and staring right back at me. I can’t imagine what a shock this must be for her, my daughter. Moments ago, warm and safe inside her momma, and now out in the world, surrounded by beeping machines and voices in the hall.
Yet, she doesn’t cry. She doesn’t let the world overwhelm and terrify her. Not when I’m here to protect her.
Now I know how Boone feels.
The door swings open, and it takes every ounce of strength I’ve got left to look over. But it’s worth it when I see who came to say hello.
Because there he is. My husband. Big, beautiful Boone, with wide-eyed euphoria on his face, looking about ready to fall over in disbelief.
The look shifts fast as Dr. Aaron Young steps in behind him. The awe and excitement are still there, but buried now, behind the familiar steel in his eyes. Possessive. Protective.
I can’t help but laugh, and the soft coo rouses the bundle in my arms.
That’s your daddy. Our daddy. A hulking protector who won’t even let a doctor do his job without reverting to our cross-armed bodyguard.
Dr. Aaron says something about how the operation went, but neither of us pays it any attention. I focus on Boone, where his attention can’t break away from our daughter.
“Got it,” Boone mutters, barely acknowledging the doctor.
I can’t explain it. Haven’t been able to in the two years we’ve been married. But seeing Boone bare his teeth at anyone who looks at me still drives me crazy. Not even the man who helped bring our daughter into this world is safe.
And I love it.
“I’ll leave you two.” Realizing how out of place he is, Dr. Aaron shuffles out the door.
Boone comes over and kneels at my side to kiss me hello. He raises an enormous hand to our daughter, gently touching her soft, smooth cheek, eyes finally softening now that we’re alone.