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)
“Are coming. I already talked to them.”
She squeezes me again, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to wipe the grin off my face.
“Preacher?” Barrow leans on the doorframe from his wing of the house. “Next week?”
“Yeah.” I give him a nod.
“I’m in.” He pats his coat pocket and lowers his voice. “I’ve just been waiting for Leonard to learn my proposal routine. He’s supposed to wear it around his neck, and then I’m going to tell Bells that—n ”
“Tell Bells what?” She walks in, her hair up in a messy bun as she leans against Barrow.
He stiffens. “Oh, uh, nothing.”
“Well, can you tell me nothing in your room?” She gets on her tiptoes and kisses him.
“Yes ma’am.” He scoops her up and carries her away.
Love. That shit is everywhere, and I have to admit I kind of like it.
Charles pops his head out of the kitchen. “I’m in,” he calls, then disappears again.
“Ears of a damn bat.” I shake my head. The only one we’re missing is Diego.
“Diego is smitten. This is shaping up to be 4 weddings and—”
“About 126 funerals--if you’re counting the month since all of you showed up. Assassins, mercs, media moguls—we’ve taken them all out.”
“You murdered a drone, too.” She holds up a finger.
I kiss the tip. “Tech doesn’t count.”
She holds her hand out and admires her ring. “Four brides. I can’t even believe it.”
“Believe it, Red.” I kiss the spot beneath her ear that makes her shiver. “This is forever. For all of us. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
She relaxes into my arms, and we watch the snow fall, listen to the fire crackle, and rest in the knowledge that the love we share is also shared by the three other couples whose lives are woven with ours.
This is our family. This is our forever.
EPILOGUES
EPILOGUE 1
CLOVER
That Christmas
“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.