Page 43 of Stealing the Star Stone

Epilogue

On the Entertainment Cruiser (EC) Valiance.

The staff quarters belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Thorne.

Home Sweet Home.

Year of 2203, November

“Barry, will you stop that?” Nova snapped, bolting across the cabin to flip the music to Mozart. She’d hopped into the shower, not expecting her playlist to change.

Her egg, now the size of her hand from fingertip to wrist, had revolted, spinning faster until it blurred and sent out pulses of light.

What he ate was music. That had been fun to discover on her wedding day mid-dance. Finding out what kind he preferred had taken much longer.

He calmed, slowed his spinning, and settled on the plinth. There he bobbed, sending out a soothing hum. Learning this explained why he’d tried to climb out of her cleavage in the bathroom at Eastwood Hall. Classical music had been playing in the background.

A squeal whipped her gaze to the door when it slid open to Eli standing there with January in his arms. Her daughter cooed, her bright green eyes and mop of brown hair so like her father’s.

“Oh, what’s this?” Eli said, his gaze warming with his ever-present desire for Nova.

She stood in the middle of their living room, dripping on the floor with a hand towel pressed to her front. “Barry lost his shit again. Note: he hates country.”

“So do I,” Eli said.

“It was the soundtrack to The Quick and the Quasarian .”

“Oh.” Eli chuckled. “Everyone’s a critic these days.” He sauntered to her and swooped in for a kiss. “Want me to slip into something a little more comfortable?”

She laughed. “I’m already pregnant, Mr. Thorne. No need to implant anymore of your sperm, thank you very much.”

He pretended to be aghast. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” He settled January onto her play mat then gathered Nova against him for a long, leisurely kiss that curled her toes.

“Okay, maybe once more, just to make sure the pregnancy took.” She was seven months along, her belly pushing him back even when he tightened his arms around her.

“Have I told you I love you, Mrs. Thorne?”

She hummed when he ran kisses down her neck.

He pulled back and stole her towel. His appreciative gaze never failed to amaze her. This was her man, the father of her children. Between movies, he traveled on board the Valiance . Never did he look at another woman, something she’d been so scared he’d do.

“Time for a quickie?” he asked, glancing at the digital clock. “Marco won’t mind if you’re late to dock, right?” He caught her hand and twirled her once more into his embrace. “For like an hour.”

“You have ten minutes to show me what you’ve got, Thorne, or I’m walking out that door.”

He chuckled. “I’d pay to see Marco’s expression when you pilot the ship naked.” His voice deepened. “In fact, make it happen.”

Her core coiled with need, and she smiled at him. “Love you.”

She was airborne, whisked into his arms and carried to their bed. “I’ll never get tired of hearing you say that. To think I almost lost you…” His kiss carried all he felt for her, so intense it summoned tears.

She melted against him and let him love her…as he’d asked to so long ago.