Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Last time he called, he mentioned he’s thinking of buying a place by Lake Michigan,” Brody was saying, still talking about her dad. “Did he tell you that?”
“No, he didn’t mention it.” She suddenly smiled, wondering if maybe there was hope for her dad after all. He might have lost the team, but he seemed much happier lately, and the two of them were on their way to regaining the close relationship they’d had when she was younger.
“I told you he used to take me fishing when I was a kid, right?”
“You did. Maybe if he buys that place, you’ll get to do it again.” Her husband kissed her on the cheek and took her hand. “Come on, we should go.”
“You’re right. Darce will freak out if we don’t show up soon. She’s been really cranky lately. You know, the lack of sex and all.”
“Actually, I think she’ll be more freaked out when she sees this.” Brody rubbed her protruding belly with his palm.
Hayden sighed. She was only five months along, and already she felt huge. “Remind me again how you knocked me up when we decided to wait a couple years?”
He shot her a cocky grin. “I told you. I never miss. It’s my fatal flaw.”
“No, your fatal flaw is not getting me the ice cream I asked for last night.”
They left the bedroom and walked down their brand-new winding staircase. The floor in the front hall still needed to be laid down, but Hayden didn’t care as long as the renovations were done before the baby came. She grabbed her purse from the hall table and slipped into her flat sandals.
Then she followed Brody out on the porch, lifting her head to the late-afternoon sun and breathing in the warm air. She was so busy looking up that she almost tripped on the bottom step. Brody quickly reached out to steady her.
“Careful, Professor,” he warned. “You’re carrying a future champion in that belly of yours.”
Oh, brother. Not again.
“I only need one champion in my life, thank you very much.” She offered a sweet smile. “Maybe I’m carrying a future Nobel Prize winner.”
“Nah. Male or female, our kid is going to be a sports legend,” he said confidently, flashing a charming smile of his own. “Haven’t you figured out by now that I always get what I want?”
“God, you’re arrogant.”
“Yeah, but you like it.” His grin widened. “And if it weren’t for me, you’d still be hiking across some intimacy bridge—”
“I should’ve never told you about that!”
“And deprive me of endless bridge jokes?”
She tried to scowl but ended up laughing. “Fine. I surrender. The intimacy bridge is funny. Now, let’s go before Darcy really does fuck a waiter.”
Brody held her arm as they walked to the car. He opened the door for her, then rounded the vehicle and got into the driver’s seat.
She stretched the seat belt over her stomach and buckled up, then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Suddenly, she became aware of Brody watching her, and when she turned her head, her breath caught at the awe she saw shining in his eyes.
“Have I told you today how beautiful you are?” he said gruffly.
“Twice, actually.” Warmth suffused her body. “But feel free to say it as many times as you’d like.”
“Believe me, I will.” He shifted closer and stroked her cheek. “You know, the happiest day of my life was when you walked up to that pool table and asked me back to your hotel.”
She sighed. “You’re not going to tell our child that, are you?”
“Nah. We’ll say we met at a museum and it was love at first sight.”
He ran his thumb over her lower lip, sending a wave of heat and desire through her. She could never get enough of this man’s touch, not even if she lived to be a hundred.
“Let’s skip dinner,” he murmured, then dipped his head to kiss her.
Her pulse raced as his tongue teased hers with long, sensual strokes.
It took all her willpower to pull back. “We can’t.” When he grumbled, she added, “Come on, it’s one little dinner. I’ll make it worth your while…”
His eyes lit up. “How?”
She laughed. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
“For you, I’d wait forever. In fact, I’d do just about anything you asked.” His gaze softened. “I love you that much, Mrs. Croft.”
She leaned in and brushed her lips over his. “I love you, too…so let’s get this dinner over with so I can get you home and show you exactly how much.”