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Linzey

Five years later

It was the most daring I got nowadays. Being in love and married to the man who was my happily ever after did that to me. He kept me calm and even keeled.

“A pretty little girl like you shouldn’t be out here alone, you know,” a deep voice growled from behind me, and I suppressed a shiver.

I glanced at my watch. “Twenty minutes. You must be getting old.”

“I’ll show you old,” he threatened, lifting me right over the back of the bench and throwing me over his shoulder while I giggled. “I was on a call with a diplomat from Spain, brat.”

“Let me down,” I demanded, my laughter making me unconvincing while I pummeled his back with enough force to be a tickle.

Still, he did drop me to my feet. I was immediately pushed up against the nearest tree.

Adler’s mouth was on mine, harsh, demanding and hungry.

I knew if we weren’t outside in the bright daylight, far too many people around, he’d have my pants down to my knees and his cock buried in me.

A fairly typical occurrence for us—just not in public.

He saved that for the privacy of our home. Private and often.

“I need to tell you something,” I said against his lips.

“That you’re sorry for sneaking out?”

“Not sorry at all.”

“Naughty…”

I bit his bottom lip, only letting go when his chest rumbled. “Growly man. You’ll make a really great daddy. Soon.”

“You better believe…” His words trailed off as my meaning sank in. His hands cupped my belly. “We’re…? You’re…?”

“Yes, we’re having a baby. Marigold brought me a test yesterday, and I took it this morning.”

“I would have taken you to the doctor.”

“I know.” I curled my hand on his handsome face. At thirty-seven he was only getting more good looking. “I wanted to surprise you.”

“Are you okay? Do you feel alright?”

“I feel great.” I smirked at him. “A little hungry.”

“Let’s go home. I’ll cook you something—”

I caught his arm. Pulling him toward me, I went to my toes and pressed my mouth to his. “All I want is you. I love you, Adler.”

He lifted me into his arms, striding toward our building. “And you have me. All of me. You’re my life, Linzey—you and our baby—and nothing else matters, not the job, not the money. Only you. I love you.”