Page 131 of A Legal Affair

Daniela smiled at the delicious memory. “As I recall, it was in a closet not much bigger than this room.”

He chuckled low in his throat, nibbling her bottom lip. “That’s when I knew I was a goner. You’re the only woman who’s ever made me lose control like that.”

Smiling with pleasure, Daniela slid her hands up his hard, muscled chest and reached to unbutton his shirt, desperate for the feel of his naked skin. “By the way, what’s with the suit?”

“Faculty seminar downtown,” he muttered distractedly as he tugged her blouse free of the waistband of her skirt. “Enforced dress code.”

Daniela giggled. “And you actuallycomplied?”

“I haven’t been myself lately.” He pulled pins from her upsweep until her hair tumbled down to her shoulders. With a masculine sound of approval, he sank his hands into the thick mass and slanted his mouth over hers in heated demand. They couldn’t get enough of each other, couldn’t get close enough.

A sudden thought penetrated the steamy fog of desire clouding Daniela’s brain. Caleb groaned softly in protest as she drew back and gave him a worried look. “What about your father, Caleb? Doesn’t he hate me?”

Caleb’s mouth curved in a wry smile. “My father believes you’re his only hope of ever getting any grandchildren. Believe me when I tell you he doesn’t hate you.”

Daniela grinned. “In that case, I’d better give himplentyof grandchildren. The more the better.”

Caleb chuckled, a wicked sound that curled her toes. “Inthatcase,” he drawled, making love to the pulse beating wildly at the base of her throat, “we’d better get started right away.”

As their hungry mouths fused together, Daniela thought fleetingly of locking the door so that no one could walk in on them by accident. But then she remembered the scene she’d stumbled upon between Kenneth and Janie, and she decided a little payback wasn’t such a bad thing.

Caleb lifted his head and looked down at her, all the love in his heart evident in his smoldering gaze. “This is forever,” he told her in a deep, intoxicating voice filled with lasting promise.

Daniela gazed up at him. “I’m looking forward to it,” she whispered, then closed her eyes as his warm lips reclaimed hers in a kiss that showed her just how exquisite forever could be.

EPILOGUE

Six months later

Potomac, Maryland

“Uh-oh. Someone looks baby-struck.”

Tamia’s teasing words made Daniela laugh. “You got me. I’m over here having all the feels right now.” She sighed. “I thought it was bad when my niece and nephew were born. It’s even worse now.”

“Probably because you’re about to become a wife and, God willing, you’re one step closer to having children of your own.” Tamia sat across from Daniela in a custom pink rocking chair, gently swaying back and forth as she breastfed her daughter. She looked spectacular as always in a shimmery silver dress that emphasized her killer curves.

Daniela had made herself comfortable on a plush pink sofa curved against the wall, her legs tucked under her as she quietly watched mother and child. “I love the way she looks at you so trustingly while she’s eating. It’s so freaking adorable.”

“I know, right?” Tamia smiled tenderly at her nursing daughter. “I’m going to miss these little moments. It’s the most peaceful part of my day.”

“Aww.” Daniela smiled, motioning around the room. “You’ve definitely created a peaceful sanctuary for both of you.”

Tatiana’s nursery was like something out of a fairy tale. Hand-painted butterflies adorned the walls, and a butterfly carousel above the canopied crib had realistic flapping wings. Storybooks, stuffed animals and black baby dolls in frilly dresses lined pink shelves. There were tall pink curtains, a pink chandelier, ruffled pink bedding and fuzzy pink rugs scattered across the wood floor. Artificial white birch trees strung with fairy lights cast a magical glow over the room.

It was unapologetically girl-coded, and Daniela loved every delightful inch of it.

“I might have gone a little overboard,” Tamia admitted with a sheepish grin as she looked around. “I guess I just want Tatiana to have the best of everything. Everything I never had growing up.”

Daniela smiled softly, touched by her words. “She already has the most important thing any child could ever need: the love and protection of her parents.”

“So true.” Tamia smiled, stroking the baby’s cheek as her eyes began to drift closed.

Music swelled from the backyard of the Chamberses’ eight-bedroom estate nestled on the banks of the Potomac River. Six hours in and the party showed no signs of winding down.

Tamia grinned at Daniela. “Thanks for letting me host a coed shower for you and Caleb. I wanted to do something special for you guys, even though I knew you might cuss me out for adding another event to your hectic wedding calendar.”

Daniela laughed. “The thought crossed my mind,” she teased.