Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
For a moment, I blink in surprise at the explosion of color before he lays it gently on my desk, beaming at me in that maddeningly charming way of his that turns my heart to mush and my panties wet. “Consider these a thank you,” he says, voice rumbling with warmth, and eyes twinkling with love.
I raise an eyebrow, teasing him, “A thank you for what, exactly?”
“For being my wife, my partner, the love of my life,” he says simply, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. There’s that sincerity in his voice that never fails to catch me off guard, no matter how many times I’ve heard it before.
I laugh, the sound soft and eased by his presence. “It’s almost like you’re trying to distract me,” I suggest, just as he comes around my desk to wrap his arms around me, managing it skillfully even with my rather round belly in the way.
“Me, distract you?” he asks, feigning innocence as he places a tender kiss on the top of my head. “I’d never.”
His embrace is pure comfort, and for a moment I allow myself the luxury of sinking into it, the world narrowing down to just Noah, me, and the gentle rhythm of contentment we’ve carved out together.
“How’s Jason?” I ask, pulling back slightly to look up at him. It was his turn to have lunch at home to check on our little hellion. “He didn’t terrorize the babysitter too much today, did he?”
“Emily decided to take him out for a walk to run off some energy,” he says with a laugh, and I can instantly picture Jason’s gleeful antics and boundless energy. His curiosity and stubbornness are a force to be reckoned with. Even Minnie knows better than to mess with the little man. “But he’s ready for his naptime, so things were good when I left.”
I grin at the image of our son in full toddler chaos mode, plowing through everything in his path.
“Two weeks to go,” I say, laying a hand on my belly and feeling a strong kick from our little girl. “You think we’re ready for round two?”
Noah tilts his head, that familiar sparkle dancing in his eyes. “I was ready to build this life with you the moment you pointed out my office incompetence at organizing. And it’s only gotten better each day since.”
“It definitely has,” I agree and lean my face up for his kiss before teasing him. “You needed someone to keep you in line.”
“That I did,” he confirms, his grin only widening. “And you’re the perfect woman for the job.”
“Speaking of jobs.” There’s serious business we need to discuss. “I don’t think I’m going to come back for quite a while after she’s born.” I’ve been thinking about this more and more over the last few weeks. I’m missing so much with Jason, and I don’t want to miss anymore. I’m just sorry I waited until it’s time to go on maternity leave to make my decision. Oh well, another thing I’m going to blame on pregnancy hormones.
“I figured as much.” It’s like my husband can freaking read my mind. “So, I’ve already got a headhunter searching for a new assistant for me. Erin is going to step in and keep things under control until your replacement is up and running.”
“Do you think she’ll be able to handle her PA responsibilities for both Accounting and for you for a few months?” The other woman is insanely efficient, but we’re asking a lot from anyone.
“I hired an assistant for her.” He shrugs, easing my worry substantially. “To make sure.”
“Thank you.” That’s a huge load off my mind. I was worried about leaving our business in a jam, but my husband is two steps ahead and making plans to keep me happy. Like always. “You take such good care of me.”
“It’s my goal in life.” His smile sends sparks through my blood, and I’m suddenly sorry we’re in an office full of people right now. “Are you almost done?” He points down at my mostly empty desktop.
“I’m just tying up the loose ends.”
“Good,” he says, a quiet note of assurance in his voice. “Because you deserve to relax a bit before she arrives and flips everything upside down, again.”
I smile, feeling the weight of his support, knowing that we’ll handle whatever comes next—as parents, as partners, as everything we’ve vowed to be for each other.