Page 84 of His to Take

Eight months later

Naomi was standing by the window, her hands cradling the curve of her swollen belly, her profile bathed in the soft light of the setting sun. My chest tightened as I took her in, the sight more beautiful than anything I’d ever known.

She was radiant, her body fuller, softer, every part of her transformed by the life she carried within her.

My child.Our child.

Her belly was round and perfect, her curves more pronounced, her skin glowing in a way that made her seem otherworldly. She was more mine now than ever before, and the sight of her like this consumed me in ways I couldn’t explain.

I stood, unable to stay seated a moment longer, and crossed the room to her. My hands found her shoulders first, gently trailing down her arms before settling on her waist. I pulled her backagainst me, lowering my head to press a kiss to the side of her neck.

“You’re so beautiful,” I murmured against her skin, my voice rough with emotion.

She laughed softly, tilting her head to give me better access. “You say that every day.”

“Because it’s true every day,” I replied, sliding my hands down to her belly, marveling at the way it fit so perfectly in my palms. “I can’t stop looking at you. You’ve always been stunning, Naomi, but like this…” I pressed my lips to her shoulder, trailing kisses along the line of her collarbone. “Like this, carrying my child, you’re beyond words.”

She turned in my arms, her green eyes shining with love, and I couldn’t help but take her face in my hands, brushing my thumbs over her cheeks.

“Every part of you is perfect. The way your body’s changed to make room for our baby. The way you glow, the way you move…” I leaned down, pressing a slow, possessive kiss to her lips. “You were made for this. For me.”

Her lips parted beneath mine, soft and yielding, and I deepened the kiss, pouring every ounce of my love and adoration into it. When I finally pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, her breathing uneven, and I couldn’t resist trailing my hand over the swell of her belly again.

“You’re mine, Naomi. My wife, the mother of my child, my everything,” I said, my voice low and reverent. “I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that to you.”

She smiled, reaching up to touch my face, and I captured her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. I would worship her for the rest of my days, this woman who had given me everything I’d ever wanted and more.

As I held her close, the baby kicked beneath my hand, and Naomi laughed, her eyes lighting up with joy. I tightened my arms around her, vowing to cherish this moment, and every moment to come, forever.

The End