Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 61468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 307(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 307(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Logan clears his throat.
“So we can…?”
“Continue your normal intimacy,” Dr. Elizabeth says firmly. “In fact, Poppy still needs an Alpha’s touch. Don’t neglect the massages and regular knotting. That will keep her body balanced and her pregnancies healthy.”
My cheeks blaze, but Logan only nods solemnly.
Dr. Elizabeth strips off her gloves and tosses them in the bin.
“I’ll see you both at your next appointment—unless you have more questions?”
We both shake our heads.
When she leaves, I’m left staring at the ceiling, trying to absorb it all. Two babies. Not twins, but two lives inside me, growing together.
And Logan’s strong hand in mine, anchoring me through the storm.
45
LOGAN
I can’t believe what just happened. I can’t believe what I just saw on that screen.
Two heartbeats. Two pups.
All my life I wanted to be a father, and now I’ve got three to protect—my mate and two babies. The thought makes my chest ache in a way that’s almost too much to hold.
Then reality crashes in. Poppy isn’t really my mate. Not officially. And only the second pup is mine by blood. By Pack law, if Dirk ever came back—
No. I shove that thought down hard. My worthless little brother stole half a million dollars from Poppy. There’s no way he’s coming back. He’s probably hiding in some hole, or dead in a ditch somewhere—which is exactly what he deserves.
I look at Poppy beside me in the truck. She’s quiet, her hands folded over her belly, her lashes low. I squeeze her hand and she looks up at me, timid.
“You really don’t mind that we’re having two of them?” she asks softly.
I bring her hand to my lips and kiss it. “Baby, you have no idea how happy you’ve made me. I’m going to be the best damn father and husband in the whole fucking world.”
Her eyes widen.
“Husband? But I’m already married to—”
“Yes, I know,” I cut in. My jaw tightens, but I keep my tone steady. “But if we can’t reach him, you can claim abandonment and get a divorce that way. Otherwise, if he does show up, I’ll make him sign the papers I had my lawyer friend draw up.”
Her mouth falls open, stunned.
“You want me to get a divorce?”
“Yes, of course.” A stab of panic shoots through me. “Why? Don’t you want one? After the way Dirk treated you—”
“Yes, I want one!” she exclaims. “I guess I’m just surprised that you’ve been planning for this—that you’ve been thinking of it.”
“Of course I’ve been thinking of it,” I say roughly. “How else can I marry you unless you get unhooked from my worthless little brother first?”
Her eyes widen even more—they look like they’re going to swallow her face whole. “You mean… you want to marry me?”
I can’t hold it in anymore. I pull the truck over into the nearest lot—an Arby’s with flickering neon lights—but I don’t care. I turn to her, taking her small hand in mine.
“I know this isn’t exactly the most romantic way or place to propose, and I promise I’ll make it up to you, but yes, I want to marry you, Poppy. I’ve never wanted anything so much in my life. You’re beautiful and sweet and caring and just fucking perfect. I’m sorry to swear—but you just make me feel so much.”
I cup her cheek in my palm and look straight into those wide, stunned eyes.
“Poppy, will you be my wife?”
46
POPPY
For a moment, I’m too stunned to speak.
Logan just asked me to marry him.
I never expected this. I mean, I should have. We fit together so perfectly—like two pieces of a puzzle. But still…he caught me completely off guard.
I stare at him, my mouth opening and closing like a fish. He looks more and more nervous by the second.
“Should I not have asked you?” he rumbles. “I know this is a bad place for a proposal—”
Realization slams into me. He thinks I don’t want him.
“No, no!” I blurt. “I’m happy you asked me!”
“Then…will you?” His golden eyes search mine. “Marry me, I mean?”
What is wrong with me, leaving the poor man hanging like this?
“Yes!” I exclaim. “Yes, Logan—yes, I’ll marry you! But not just because we’re having these babies together. Because…” My voice falters. I feel suddenly shy, but I push the words out. “Because you’re the kindest, sweetest, most protective man in the world. And I love you.”
There. I said it. The L word. Out in the open.
Will he say it too?
His face breaks into the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. He reaches across the seat and drags me into a bear hug so strong it nearly squeezes the breath out of me.
“Oh, Poppy, sweetheart—I love you too! I’ve been wanting to tell you for so long but I didn’t know how you’d feel about it.”
He kisses me deeply and I melt into him, tasting him, savoring his warm, spicy scent that makes me feel so safe. Then I nuzzle my cheek against his rough jaw.