Page 142 of Sinful Hearts

This is what it feels like to be happily married.

“So,you know how Maggie and I have been talking about paint colors?” I ask Emilio as he fastens the last button on his black shirt.

After our bedroom sex came shower sex.

I’m curled up on the closet ottoman in my robe while he’s getting ready for the day.

He nods, slipping a black blazer from its hanger.

“What do you think about repainting the bedroom?” I play with the belt of my robe.

The bedroom holds a lot of memories for him.

It was his growing up here.

His mother designed it and chose the paint colors.

But it’s also outdated, and it needs revamping.

If I’m going to make this house a home—my home—I want to do it the right way.

There isn’t one second of hesitation before he says, “Whatever you want.”

All right, now onto the next subject that’s a big one.

I draw in a breath, now tugging on the belt. “I was …”

He looks over at me, waiting.

“I was thinking of asking Maggie if she’d want to move back into her wing,” I croak as if my throat is suddenly sore.

He crosses the room and presses a kiss to the top of my head. “That’s Maggie’s call. She’s always welcome here.”

I smile, my heart warming.

He kneels in front of me, adjusting my robe collar before running his rough hand over my cheek. “Does that mean you’re ready to make this your forever home,guaio?”

I smile as his thumb runs over my lips. “I’m ready for this to be my forever.” I slide my hand down his arm to clasp his hand. “With you.”

The secondI see Maggie over FaceTime, I squeal, “Maggie! God, I’ve missed you!”

I wish I could reach through the screen and hug her.

She waves to me, smiling bright, and I hear voices in the background.

“You make it to Chicago okay?” I ask, walking into the kitchen for a Dr Pepper.

“Sure did.”

She turns the camera, and my heart squeezes when I see baby Evalina, cuddled in Aurora’s arms.

“Hi, Liliya,” Aurora says, giving me a tired wave.

Her hair is messy, strands going in every direction, as she rocks Evalina.

“My niece is still the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” I say, blowing a kiss through the screen.

Evalina coos, as if she heard me.