Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
She snuggles closer, her breath warm against my skin. “There isn’t a thing wrong with my eyes,” she insists. “Men just aren’t used to getting compliments like that.”
I smile, a rare softness in my voice as I reply, “That’s probably true.” I wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer as the cool air seeps in. “But you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
I bury my face in her hair, inhaling deeply. The familiar scent of her sweet skin fills my senses, and I feel my softened cock twitch inside her, a faint echo of desire.
“Will I still turn you on when I’m fat and cranky and my feet are swollen and you have to tie my shoes?” she says, shifting slightly on my lap.
“You’re even sexier with my baby growing inside of you,” I admit, pulling her into a deep, passionate kiss. My lips claim hers, the intensity making it clear that I want her, need her, cherish her.
Every touch, every kiss, is a promise—slow, deliberate, filled with the weight of everything we’ve built and everything we’re still building. She’s mine, and I’m hers, in every possible way. And now, we’ve made a family.
I hold her close, my hand resting protectively over her stomach. We lie there, the fire crackling softly, our hearts beating in time.
“I can’t believe it,” I whisper after a long silence, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m going to be a dad.”
She smiles, snuggling closer to me, her heart full. “You’re going to be an amazing dad. Watching you be a father is going to be such a turn on–you already take care of me in every way, you have so much love to give.”
I tighten my arms around her, pressing another kiss to her temple. “I can’t wait. No matter what comes, we’ll face it together. You, me, and our little adventure.”
In that moment, wrapped in the warmth of the fire and the promise of our future, I know that no matter what challenges come our way, we’ll be ready to face them. Together. As a family.
Third Epilogue
Lila–five years later
The sun filters through the trees, casting a golden light over the river, its surface glimmering as the water moves lazily along. Phantom River is alive with the sounds of nature—the wind rustling through the pines, birds singing in the distance, and the laughter of children playing. I sit back on the picnic blanket, the crisp air filled with the smell of pine and fresh earth. It’s a perfect day, and I take a moment to breathe it all in, savoring the warmth of the afternoon and the peace that settles deep in my chest.
I glance over at Holt, and my heart swells. He’s standing near the riverbank, cradling baby Shylo against his chest in the baby carrier. She’s cooing, her tiny hands reaching up and grabbing at his nose, and he laughs, pressing a kiss to her forehead. The sight of him—this rugged, untouchable mountain man—so tender with our daughter makes my breath catch. It’s moments like this when I can hardly believe how far we’ve come. From the struggles of infertility to this—a family of six, three wild and rambunctious boys and our sweet surprise, a baby girl who feels like the greatest gift from heaven.
Holt catches me staring, and a playful grin tugs at the corner of his mouth. “You staring at me, city girl?” His voice is teasing, but there’s a rough edge to it that sends a shiver down my spine, one that has nothing to do with the cool breeze coming off the river.
I bite my lip, returning his smile. “I’m staring at the incredible father you are,” I say, my voice soft with admiration. “Sometimes, I can’t believe how far we’ve come.”
He steps closer, his eyes glinting with that familiar teasing gleam, but there’s something deeper there too. He rocks Shylo gently in the carrier, her tiny fingers still tangled in his shirt. “Far? Babe, we’ve only just gotten started.” His breath is warm against my ear as he leans in, his lips brushing the sensitive skin of my temple. “I’m hoping God blesses us with a few more, you know. I don’t think we’re done yet.”
My heart skips a beat, the warmth creeping up my neck as I meet his gaze. His voice is low, rough, and full of promise, and I feel the familiar pull between us—the same magnetic tension that’s been there since the first time we met.
“You think four kids isn’t enough?” I tease, but there’s an unmistakable heat in my voice that I can’t quite hide.
Holt’s grin turns wicked, his eyes darkening with desire as he leans even closer, his lips grazing the spot just behind my ear that always drives me wild. “Not even close,” he murmurs, his voice sending a thrill through me. “Practicing is the best part, remember?”