I feel trapped in his gaze, a paralysis of passion, and then the moment passes and he brushes the hair from my face.
“Tell me.”
I swallow a big ball of emotion knowing this is a moment we’ll discuss many times over the years to come, over and over as our children grow older.
“I’m pregnant,” I tell him. “We’re pregnant. I did four tests, all with different brands. It’s one hundred percent.”
“Really?”
He smiles broadly, his whole face lighting up, his eyes shining with nothing but pure joy. I’ve never seen him like this before, bursting with so much optimistic energy, like he could glow with our love.
“Yes, we’re going to have a baby.”
“Really?” he says again, his voice getting even louder, brimming with happiness.
“Yes,” I cry, and then he’s yelling.
He whisks me off my feet and spins me around on the balcony, our bathrobes fluttering around us as we try to find each other’s lips in the mayhem of his movements. I giggle and place my head against his chest, hugging him close, and then he finally puts me down.
I stumble, laughing, and then his hands are on my shoulders.
He shoves me up against his rock hard body, his powerful torso pressed firmly against me.
“I’m dizzy.” I laugh in delight, staring up at him. “I take it that means you’re happy?”
“Yes,” he grins. “I can’t believe this. It’s so perfect. It’s so… I’m just so happy. This is it, Mols, the moment we’ll look back on in the years to come. And we’ll say to ourselves, It all started there, our family, our future.”
I nod, his words flurrying through me.
“But no,” he mutters a moment later. “We started the moment you became my driver and I laid eyes on you. Our destinies were set in stone then… goddamn, listen to me. Destiny.”
“I thought hormones were supposed to make me all fuzzy, huh?” I giggle and jab him playfully. “But you’re the one getting all giddy.”
“Damn right,” he snarls, sliding his hand down my hips toward my ass. “But don’t think being pregnant is getting you out of taking this dick hard. Now get that fine curvy ass inside. I need to see those cheeks bounce for me.”
A thrill moves through me, tickling up between my legs and then surging around my hole.
I envisioned many scenarios, but none of them went as well as this in my mind. His hands are already on me when I walk through the door, smoothing up and down my hot skin, causing my womb to flutter and burn.
We might be pregnant, my womb screams. But we still need his hot seed.
I turn and face him, my hands on my hips, staring sassily up at him.
“Nah uh, mister,” I say, feeling brave, feeling nervous. “I’m on top.”
He smirks and drops onto the couch gesturing at the solid outline of his manhood in the robe.
“By all means, my queen.”
Extended Epilogue
One Year Later
Murphy
I stand over Isabella’s crib, gripping the railing lightly as I stare down at her. She takes small breaths as she sleeps, her star mobile spinning softly around above us, casting shadows across the room from where the moonlight slips in through the window.
My heart melts when she makes a soft cooing noise, and then her eyes blink open and I swear she smiles at me. People say it’s impossible, that babies can’t smile like that until they’re older, but I feel her love beaming through the curve of her lips, as though she’s trying to tell me she loves me as much as I love her.
But I don’t even know if that’s possible.
“Oh, hey,” I say, smiling. “You hungry?”
She tilts her head at me, and then I’m sure she gives me a little shrug as if to say, Yeah, I could eat.
It’s these moments that make life burn so brightly, the precious stolen moments between the rush of maintaining my empire and supporting my woman’s dream of opening a rally school. After all the press she got for that interview, she started building one during her pregnancy.
“I can’t drive,” she said, a glint of determination in her eyes. “But maybe I can still do something with my time.”
It turns out she fell in love with the project and it’s become her passion over the past six months, as she talks to me wildly and excitedly about all the things she wants to do with the school and its future. And I nod like hell and tell her she can do it because it’s true.
Together, we can do anything.
I pick up Bella and cradle her to my chest, getting a bottle of milk and feeding her carefully. I always move with small soft movements when I’m around my daughter.
After Molly gave birth – she was amazing, so strong and determined to bring our baby girl into this world – I didn’t want to hold her at first. My hands shook when I first cradled her against me. I couldn’t believe that that tools which had caused so much destruction could also do something as pure and good as hold, my child.
But I did – I am – and it’s the best thing there is.
I pace up and down her bedroom as I feed her, rocking her against me, and then pause when I feel a presence in the hallway. I tilt my head at the door, my heart thudding in violent anticipation for a moment, but then I hear my wife tap lightly with her fingernails.
She always does that, so she doesn’t startle me.
She knows how protective I am of our family, like the time I pulled a gun on her because she was hitting the punching bag.
She’s wearing a baggy T-shirt and nothing else, her hand on the doorframe so the fabric falls softly over the shape of her body. I force my eyes elsewhere, but not before getting a generous helping of her breasts and her curvy sexy motherly hips.
“I can’t look at you when you’re dressed like that,” I whisper, laughing softly. “Not when I’m holding Bella.”
She giggles. “You are kidding, right? I’m all stinky from napping a hundred times a day.”
“You’re supposed to nap a hundred times a day. You’re a new mother.”
“And the stinky part?”
I grin at her over Bella’s head, so much love glittering between us it almost doesn’t feel real.
But it is.
We earned it by trusting our instincts, by never letting anybody tell us we couldn’t be together, by falling for each other harder than anybody ever has.
“Maybe you’re supposed to be stinky, eh?” I banter. “I love the way you smell. I love everything about you.”
She tiptoes across the room and wraps her arms around both of us, me and Bella, and I lift my hand and pull her close. Bella makes an endearing yawning noise as the three of us cradle each other in this private pocket of love.
Savage intent moves through me when I think about anyone trying to steal this away from me.
I would never let them.
I am going to protect what Molly and I have for the rest of our lives.
Because she’s mine.
And that’s what real men do.
Extended Epilogue
Ten Years Later
Molly
“I’m telling you, Molly, the future is in fake nails. I see it all the time in music videos and the like.”
I nod along as Lesley talks to me about her new business. She’s the latest in Dad’s girlfriend’s now that he’s entered the dating scene after so many years, and somehow I don’t think she’s going to be staying around for very long.
She’s got the big hair and the attitude from New Jersey, and she’s very pretty, but Dad has purposefully stayed on the other side of the party, talking with Murphy at the barbecue.
Jack especially is like Mu
rphy’s mini-me, with the same jawline and the same penetrating azure eyes.
Everyone says little Jack is going to be a lady killer when he grows up.
I smile over to where Kenny sits, crossed leg on a lawn chair with a book open in his lap. Kenny is our eight year old and the most sensitive of the bunch, a cute-as-heck baby who turned into an even cuter little boy. He’s got soft brown hair that falls across his eyes, and a smile that just melts my heart.
He’d much rather disappear into a world of imagination than play in the pool, and that’s okay with us. Murphy and I are letting our children develop and flourish because we know how important it is to support somebody.
We’ve supported each other for ten freaking years.
I run a rally racing school that has produced some real talent, and more and more of my husband’s businesses are turning legitimate.
We have money and security and love…
And Dad’s new girlfriend is still talking to me, jabbering about fake nails.
I almost cry with relief when Buttercup tugs on my sleeve. Her real name is Delilah but ever since she could say it, she’s insisted we call her Buttercup.
It’s just one of the many things that make my shy six year old so endearing.
I look down into her dark eyes. Her dark hair is a braid over her shoulder.
“Do you think I can go in the pool, Mommy?”
I laugh, nodding. “Of course you can, baby.”
“But… No—I mean, will you come in the pool with me? Please?”
I look down at my dress. It’s a light fabric and I have got a bathing suit underneath. I feel my mind flitting to old concerns, the sort of body-hating things that would’ve held me back when I was a younger woman.
Before my family, before Buttercup gazing up at me with her trustful eyes, I wouldn’t let myself swim for fear of people judging my body. But this is a body that has brought five beautiful children into this world, and I refuse to devalue that.
“Of course,” I say, nodding a silent apology to Lesley.
I grab Buttercup’s hand and we walk over to the edge of the pool. Dad smiles at us from the other side, and my man smirks at us as he stands there with the cooking smoke whispering around his face.
He’s grown his beard out a little lately, a solid iron coating, and his hair is as full and silver as ever.
“Going for a swim, wife?” he smiles.
“Mommy’s going to be my swimming buddy,” Buttercup says, tugging on my hand. “Aren’t you, Mommy?”
“Daddy’s not good enough, huh?” Murphy teases, pulling Buttercup’s favorite funny face, the one that never fails to make her laugh.
She giggles, flapping her hands. “Daddy, I asked you and you said you were busy.”
“Oh, I see,” I laugh, reaching down and tickling her lightly. “So I’m your second choice.”
She glares at me, even as she smiles. “Mommy, you’re my swimming buddy so let’s go.”
I pull my dress over my head, revealing my one piece, and I see Murphy quickly look away. That’s what he always does whenever we’re in public and he gets excited because even after all this time he will claim me like an animal at a moment’s notice.
Buttercup and I walk right to the edge of the pool hand in hand.
I look down at her and she gazes down at me.
“Ready, Buttercup?”
She nods. “Ready, Mommy.”
We jump.
NEWSLETTER
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A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS
Book 1: Baby Lust
Book 2: Veteran
Book 3: Built
Book 4: Bambino
Book 5: Rescued
Book 6: Leader
Book 7: Professor
Book 8: Burned
Book 9: Worldly
Book 10: Pistol
Book 11: Policed
Book 12: Driven
Book 13: Lucky 13
Book 14: Lumberjacked
Book 15: Protector
Book 16: Carpenter
Book 17: Italian Stallion
Book 18: Gardener
Book 19: Budapest Billionaire’s Virgin
Book 20: Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 21: Cocky CFO
Book 22: Fireman’s Filthy 4th
Book 23: Mechanic
Book 24: SEAL’s Secret
Book 25: Police, Pooch, and Smooch
Book 26: Fireman’s Fake Fiancée
Book 27: Billionaire’s Virgin Ballerina
Book 28: Bitcoin Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 29: Veterans Day Daddy
Book 30: Cowboy’s Christmas Carol
Book 31: Police Officer’s Princess
Book 32: Statham
Book 33: Bodyguard
Book 34: Greek God
Book 35: Billionaire Single Dad's Babysitter
Book 36: Mountain Man
Book 37: SEAL’s Justice
Book 38: Royal Romance
Book 39: Doctor Mountain Man’s Special Delivery
Book 40: Crocodile Dan D
Book 41: Mountain Man’s Secret Baby
Book 42: Doctor Bad Boy’s Secret Baby
Book 43: Cop’s Babysitter
Book 44: Nanny for the Cop Next Door
Book 45: Small Town SEAL’s Saving Grace
Book 46: Cop’s Fake Fiancée
Book 47: Billionaire’s Nanny
Book 48: Cowboy’s Babysitter
Book 49: Steamy
Book 50: Brother’s Best Friend
Book 51: Possessive Professor
Book 52: Firefighter’s Babysitter
Book 53: Soldier’s Secret Baby
Book 54: Ward’s Independence Day
Book 55: Doctor Next Door
Book 56: Possessive Policeman
Book 57: Coached by the MMA Fighter
Book 58: Boss’s Babysitter
Book 59: Virgin in New York
Book 60: Rock Star’s Baby
Book 61: Possessive Protector
Book 62: Possessive Australian
Book 63: Best Friend’s Brother
Book 64: Possessive Cowboy
Book 65: Summer Romanced
Book 66: Possessive Prince
Book 67: Lovers’s Enemy
Book 68: Cop’s Best Friend
Book 69: Possessive Firefighter
Book 70: Football Next Door
Book 71: Doctor December
Book 72: Possessive Canadian
Book 73: Blue Collar Billionaire
Book 74: Possessive K-9 Cop
Book 75: Possessive Brazilian
Book 76: Hockey Obsession
Book 77: Possessive Boston Irish American MMA Fighter
Book 78: Halloween Next Door
Book 79: Possessive Russian
Book 80: Baseball Mine
Book 81: Cop’s Caribbean Captive
Book 82: Instalove Island
Book 83: Dad’s Best Friend
Book 84: Thanksgiving with Dad’s Boss
Book 85: Possessive Italian Neighbor
Book 86: Possessive Portuguese
Book 87: Possessive Christmas Cop
Book 88: Russian’s Obsession
Book 89: Possessive Doctor’s Christmas
Book 90: Possessive Parisian Pilot
Book 91: U.K. Boxing Day
Book 92: Jealous Russian Stalker
Book 93: Italian Mountain Man
Book 94: Aggressive Russian
Book 95: Possessive Valentine
Book 96: Possessive Hunter
Book 97: Dad’s Russian Mafia Friend
Book 98: Russian Teacher
Book 99: Australian Obsession
Book 100: Russian Next Door
Book 101: Dad’s Irish Friend
Book 102: Nanny for the Russian Mafia
Book 103: B
est Friend’s Dad
Book 104: Basketball Babymaker
Book 105: Possessive Veterinarian
Book 106: Brother’s Fireman Friend
Book 107: Brother’s Canadian Cowboy Friend
Book 108: Summer Vacation with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 109: Dad’s Italian Mafia Friend
Book 110: Dad’s Irish Mafia Friend
Book 111: Dad’s Football Friend
Book 112: Possessing His Dancing Queen
Book 113: Brother’s Cop Friend
Book 114: Halloween With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 115: Claimed By Her Boss
Book 116: Possessive Rider
Book 117: Dad’s Ex-Biker Buddy
Book 118: Possessive Undercover Cop
Book 119: Falling For Her Boss
Book 120: Claiming His Fashionista
Book 121: More Than Dad’s Best Friend
Book 122: Thanksgiving With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 123: Bossy Italian
Book 124: Christmas With Dad’s Mafia Friend
Book 125: Maid For The Italian Mafia
Book 126: Nutcracker
Book 127: Cowboy Cerrone
Book 128: Chef’s Kiss
Book 129: Claimed By The Russian
Book 130: Bought By The Italian Mafia
Book 131: Hot Nerd
Book 132: Dad’s Italian Mafia Boss
Book 133: Mine
Book 134: Taken By The Thief
Book 135: Curves Ahead
Book 136: Her Mafia Valentine
Book 137: Doctor Valentine
Book 138: Maid For The Irish Mafia
Book 139: Winning Her Curves
Book 140: Dad’s Cartel Best Friend
Book 141: Dad’s Greek Mafia Friend
Book 142: Lawyer’s Obsession
Book 143: Attending Her Curves
Book 144: Maid for the Russian Mafia
Book 145: Priest
Book 146: Claimed By Dad’s Best Friend
Book 147: His Curvy Office Obsession
Book 148: Easter with Dad's Best Friend
Book 149: Veterinarian's Obsession
Book 150: Curves For Her Older Boss
Book 151: Mob Lawyer's Curves
Book 152: Maid For The Doctor Next Door
Book 153: Possessive Forest Ranger