Page 76 of Made for Wilde

I thrust deep one final time and empty myself inside her with a roar that echoes off the cabin walls. My vision whites out as wave after wave of pleasure crashes through me. When I finally come back to myself, I’m collapsed over Charlotte’s back, both of us breathing hard and trembling.

I press gentle kisses to her shoulder as we both come down from the high.

“So what did you think?” I ask her. “Did you like the toy?”

Charlotte turns her head to look at me, her cheeks still flushed with pleasure. “Amazing. I never imagined it would feel like that.”

I carefully withdraw from her and switch off the vibrations before gently removing the plug. She whimpers at the loss, her body still trembling with aftershocks.

“You should be careful,” she says with a breathless laugh as I help her roll onto her side. “These pregnancy hormones are no joke. I might become completely insatiable.”

A grin spreads across my face.

“I think I can handle that challenge.” I press a soft kiss to her temple before standing. “Stay right there. I’ll be back.”

In the bathroom, I run warm water over a washcloth, my reflection catching me off guard in the mirror. I look different. Lighter somehow, like a weight I’ve carried for years has finally lifted. The man staring back at me is going to be a father. The thought still doesn’t feel real.

I return to find Charlotte exactly where I left her, curled on her side with her hair spilled across the pillow. Her eyes are heavy-lidded but content as I gently clean between her legs, taking care to be tender with her sensitive skin.

“Thank you,” she murmurs, reaching for me as I toss the washcloth toward the hamper.

I slide back into bed and pull her against my side, her head finding its natural place on my chest. Her hand rests flat against my heart, and I cover it with mine, marveling at how perfectly we fit together.

“I still can’t believe it,” I whisper into the growing darkness. “A baby.”

Charlotte tilts her head up to look at me. “Are you really happy? Not just saying what you think I want to hear?”

I stroke her hair back from her face.

“I’ve never been happier about anything in my life. That room down the hall? It’s going to have a purpose again.”

Her eyes shine with unshed tears. “I love you, Koda.”

“I love you too, baby. Both of you.”

SIXTEEN

CHARLOTTE

The tensionin Professor Lowell’s classroom could power the entire beauty school. She methodically works her way around the room, placing graded exams face-down on each desk like a dealer distributing cards that could make or break futures.

My phone buzzes against my thigh. I glance down to see Koda’s name lighting up my screen. The preview shows just enough to make heat crawl up my neck:

*Thinking about you bent over the kitchen counter this morning...*

I quickly flip the phone face-down, my cheeks burning as I look around to make sure no one else caught a glimpse. The last thing I need is for my classmates to see my mountain man boyfriend sending me dirty texts.

“Miss Palmer.”

Professor Lowell’s voice cuts through my embarrassment as she slides my exam across the desk.

I hold my breath and flip it over, expecting to see another disappointing C-minus staring back at me. Instead, a bright red B+ sits at the top of the page, circled twice for emphasis.

My heart does a little skip in my chest.

After weeks of struggling with morning sickness so bad I could barely keep crackers down, let alone focus on the difference between ash and golden undertones, I actually pulled off a decent grade.

“Excellent improvement, Charlotte.” Professor Lowell’s rare smile makes the achievement feel even sweeter. “Your understanding of color correction has really developed.”