Page 42 of The Marquess of Temptation

Realising he had been checkmated, Alex gave her a rueful smile.

"Was I being bossy?" he asked, his eyes apologetic.

"Only a little," Hestia laughed, "Though I was being stubborn. You're right, I will have to rest easy for a few months."

"Say that again," her husband deadpanned.

"Say what?"

"That I am right. It is the most wonderful thing I have ever heard you say --after I love you, of course."

Alex grabbed her hands, which were making to poke him indignantly in the chest, and covered them with his own.

"Don't say it again," he decided aloud, "Say the other thing, if you will?"

"I love you," Hestia whispered, her heart bursting with pure joy. Love, the thing that she had always feared would break her, had made her whole instead.