Page 107 of Scandalous Kingpin

“How are things with Ivy?”

A smile touched my lips. “She’s doing well. We’ve settled on living between Ireland and Philly for now, but once we have kids, we’ll raise them in Ireland.”

She tilted her head. “So you are ready to start a family?”

Four months had gone by since my reversed vasectomy, and although we agreed to wait, I didn’t regret going through with it.

“Yes, but we won’t rush it.” We wanted more time for ourselves. And even now as my wife waited for me in the waiting room, I couldn’t help but feel the light beam from my chest.

I’d always struggled with feelings, but never with her. Since I first met her, she understood me before I even said anything.

Together, we were invincible.

I was still working on my negative self-talk patterns, on quieting the voices that told me I didn’t deserve her, but I was working on it.

The funny thing was that now that I was happy and had my woman by my side, I wanted everyone around me happy too. I’d been working on building a relationship with Aisling and coming to a mutual understanding with her and my papà.

Dr. Freud’s nervous gaze slid to the side as I got to my feet, buttoning my jacket. Taking a step forward across this makeshift office in Dublin, I placed a note on the table next to her, then turned to leave.

“You said I shouldn’t look for answers.”

I shifted a glance over my shoulder.

“I did.”

She raised a brow. “Then why give me this?”

“Because you wouldn’t have stopped. Not until you learned what happened to your sister.” I twisted the doorknob, a smile dancing on my lips. “Because you helped me find peace, and I want to return the favor.”

I shut the door behind me to the past and smiled at where my future sat, on a rickety plastic chair reading a magazine from 2006. I had everything I needed right here. Now I understood that a child would only enrich us. Our family. Our future.

“How was it?” Ivy asked once we’d stepped out onto the busy Dublin sidewalk where sunrays greeted us. She wore leggings and one of my long-sleeve dress shirts, cinched at the waist with whatalsolooked like one of my belts. I’d never seen a more beautiful sight.

“It was good. No groundbreaking discoveries,” I remarked. “All those things happen with you.” I winked.

She let out a soft chuckle. “Did you give her the note?”

“I did.”

My gaze met hers as I opened the passenger door and she slid into the seat. I leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “She also prescribed me something.”

She stiffened, her eyes snapping open. “What?”

“More sex to ensure the vasectomy reversal was a success.”

She chortled, slapping a playful hand to my chest.

“I’m starting to think you’re tricking me, husband.” Ivy’s lips brushed against mine for another kiss.

I nipped her bottom lip lightly while rubbing small circles over the nape of her neck. “I’m just making up for lost time.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck, her touch sending a small shiver through me while I still held the passenger door open.

Her lips parted, a blush rising to her cheeks, and she breathed against my lips, “Then get in the car and drive us home.”

I shut the door and walked around the car, getting in the driver's seat.

Her hand came to rest on my thigh.