Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“I’ll wait at least until they’re two or three. Don’t worry.”
I can’t seem to stop smiling… or yawning. “I love you.”
“Get some rest, beautiful. You’ll need it for all the shower planning going on in the kitchen.”
I snuggle even closer. “Our family is the best.”
“Can’t argue there, sweet thing. Not even a little.”
Surrounded by the people I love, I doze off at the lodge, the most magical place in the world for me, and the only one I call home.
That Christmas
Clover
“Stop bending over and picking up all the heavy stuff!” Charles pulls a box of feather ornaments from my hands.
“The heavy stuff?” I laugh and rub my belly. It’s not huge yet, but it’s definitely noticeable.
“I put a baby in you to keep you here, not to watch you hurt yourself,” he growls.
Why does that statement make me go all mushy inside? I should be mad that he wanted to trap me, but I’m not. In fact, I’ve never been happier. The lodge is my home now, and I can’t imagine life anywhere else.
Charles reaches up and stabs the gold and white feathers into the tree, his broad back flexing with each movement.
“You need to--” I try to direct with my hands. “Over that way--yes--no--down a little. Okay, now fluff it.”
He thumps the end of the biggest golden feather.
“No, don’t hurt it. Fluff it.” I put my hands on my hips.
He grumbles under his breath about bossy preggos and flicks at the feather.
I try not to smile as I tell him, “Fluff it more. Make it super duper fluffy.”
He jiggles the feather then smacks it and tries to shove it farther down into the tree. “What? Like this?”
I burst out laughing. “No, nothing like that.”
He turns as I laugh so hard my eyes start to water. With a sigh he scoops me into his arms. “What am I going to do with you, bright eyes?”
“I have a few ideas.” I lick my lips.
That one movement has his gaze turning heated.
He smirks and starts moving, carrying me out of the living room and toward our wing of the lodge. “Coming through,” he calls.
Barrow and Bells make way as Bells gives me a knowing smile. “Go easy on her. She’s carrying your firstborn.”
“Mind your business,” Charles barks, but there’s a laugh in it, too.
“You’re going to be in trouble,” I scold. “She’ll tell Aurora, then Aurora will tell Daphne, and then you’ll have three women plus their men banging down our door.”
“Let them come. I’ll hold them off.” He eases me through our bedroom door, then slams it behind him with added emphasis. “You’re mine, and I’m going to take what belongs to me.”
A thrill rushes through me. Charles has always had this power over me. From the first moment I saw him in the snow, I’ve never been able to resist.
“Now it’s time for you to relax.” He lays me on the bed, then gently, lovingly, and oh-so-sweetly strips me of every item of clothing.
Standing up, he looks down at me, his eyes lingering on my swollen breasts and rounded belly. “You’ve never been more beautiful.”
My tears threaten again, but this time it’s because Charles speaks right to my soul. He knows what to say to make me feel like I’m the only woman in the world, the only one he’s ever wanted.
He removes his clothes quickly, then crawls on top of me. Pausing, he shakes his head.
“What?” I’m already wet for him. Being pregnant has given me an even stronger sex drive than before. I can’t get enough of Charles, and even right after we’re done, I always want him again.
“I don’t want to hurt you or the baby.” He glances down.
“We’ve been over this. You won’t.” I lean up and kiss him. “But if you’re worried …” I push at his chest.
He groans and rolls over, pulling me on top of him. I like it this way. Hell, I like it however I can get it, but sliding down on him, taking him so deep that it curls my toes--this is pure heaven.
I ride him until my body starts to shake. Charles grips my hips, his palms roaming to my ass to feel each time I grind down on him.
“So goddamn sexy,” he grates out, then reaches up and tweaks my nipples. They’re so sensitive now that I can’t take anymore.
With a cry, I come. Bearing down on him, I let myself go, my mouth shouting my pleasure as I ride my release. He joins me with a shout, his body straining as he tenses and shoots inside of me, giving me everything until we’re both lying in a sweaty heap.
He strokes my hair from my brow. “I’m pretty sure we just made the naughty list this year.”
“If we didn’t, then I think we should try again.” I move my hips, loving the feel of him still inside me.