Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 56149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Pushing a stray hair out of her eyes, I look at her and think how impossibly insane it is that I found her. That all my hopes, dreams, wishes, and love can be wrapped up in one person. I never intended for my life to end up this way, but it’s more perfect than I could have imagined.
I started out as the thief, but Tessa stole my heart.
Epilogue
Tessa
3 months later …
“I’m going to have to start running an extra two miles a day if Marie keeps this up.”
Sean stands up from the little table in the kitchen. He raises his shirt to rub his belly as he smirks at me.
I have to agree. If we keep eating like this, I might have to join him. And I don’t run. Ever. Unless something is chasing me, and that only happens when Sean and I are playing around. Though once I did suggest going with him. He said no, then made me ride him while he gripped my hips in a firm hold to remind me how much he liked them and how he didn’t want them going anywhere. Needless to say, he didn’t run that day either.
Reaching over, I grab a few of the hairs on his stomach and pull, making him yelp and jump back from me. I giggle. “See how she treats me, Marie?” He leans down, placing one hand on the table and the other on the back of my chair, caging me in. He kisses me softly on the lips.
“Missed a little,” he whispers against my lips, licking any syrup that might be remaining.
“I see how she treats you alright.” Marie’s tone makes me blush.
Marie started working on the island about six weeks ago. She used to come each day on a boat until Sal finally talked her into staying with him permanently. Watching them together is utterly adorable, and I wonder if people look at Sean and me like that.
Giving me another quick kiss, Sean picks up my plate and his own to take to the sink, but Marie stops him and pulls them from his hands.
“That’s my job,” she scolds him. I can’t see Sean’s face, but I’m sure he’s scowling at her. This has no effect on her, though he’s probably a whole foot and a half taller than her. She’s the definition of a spitfire if you get her going. I love that about her and have even picked up a few of her tricks. Sean and Sal both tried to get her to quit working here, saying she didn’t need to work. She’s Sal’s woman, but she says she loves doing it. She needs something to do or she’ll go stir crazy. They still ended up hiring another woman to help out, and the battle of wills is still going strong.
He makes his way back to me and crouches so we’re at eye level. “You sure you don’t want to come with me? I’ll be quick. It won’t take me long at all to make sure everything is in line.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m just going to lie down for a little. I bet by the time I wake up, you’ll be back.” Sean likes to go to town once a month to pick up a few things, check his mail, and look in on his accounts. I went with him the last time and enjoyed myself, but today I have something I need to take care of.
“How about I put it off, and we’ll go tomorrow when you’re feeling better?” I can see the concern written all over his face. I lied this morning and told him I had a headache to get out of going today. Sometimes this man handles me like glass. I wonder how he’ll be once he gets me knocked up. “I could nap with you.”
“I know what your kind of nap means,” I laugh, knowing that it wouldn’t be a nap at all. It would start with a little cuddling, which would turn to kissing, and then that would lead to kissing me everywhere, then him on top of me, making me scream his name.
His face turns serious, lines appearing in his forehead. “Stay inside. I don’t want you near the water.”
“Sean, I know how to swim.”
“Baby, please. Give me peace of mind while I’m gone.”
Grabbing his face with both hands, I dig my fingers into his beard. “I’ll stay inside and dream of you.”
“Thank you, little fox.” He moves in for another kiss, this one deep but slow. His mouth moves against mine like we’re making love.
When he finally pulls back, I keep a strong hold on his face, pulling a little at his beard.
“I’m not cutting it,” he says for the sixth time this morning, his eyes going a little big. I caught him in the bathroom about to shave it this morning. He said it was just a summer cut. I might have lost it a little. I even threatened to go on a shaving strike of my own if he did, but he said I could turn into werewolf and he was still getting inside me. In the end I won. Facial hair was staying, and I was still keeping myself well groomed.
“Better not.”
He kisses me on the forehead and heads out the door. I sit at the table, sipping my orange juice while Marie does the dishes for a few moments.
“Okay. I can’t wait! Give it to me.” I jump up from my chair and rush over to Marie as she pulls a pregnancy test out of her apron.
The last two tests I’d done with Sean, and both times they came out negative. He acted like it was no big deal, but I could see the disappointment on his face. I want to make sure that the next time the subject comes up, I’ll know for sure if I’m pregnant or not.
“I thought he’d never leave.” Marie shakes her head, wiping her hands off on her apron.
“I know. I thought for sure he knew I was faking about the headache. I’m the world’s worst liar,” I grimace. God, I hate lying to him.