“Who says that’s not what I’m chasing?” She lazily scans the length of the beach. “Doesn’t look like anyone’s paying attention to us anyway.”
Groaning, I shift around to adjust my shorts and hide my growing erection. She might be teasing the idea, but my body doesn’t understand the difference.
When it comes to Callie, it’s always revved up and ready to go.
“Oh, but they will.” I trail my fingertips against her belly, and she wriggles from the ticklish sensation. “Have you seen your stunning body?”
I can’t look away from it. Even in a bikini that leaves verylittle to the imagination, she’s still too clothed for my liking.
“Now, you’re the one who needs to be careful, Daddy. You’re putting ideas in your little princess’s head.”
Fuck.
It’s like everything she’s said since we arrived on our honeymoon has been expertly crafted to break me.
And it’s working.
Seeing the anguished look on my face, Callie laughs and tosses her head back. She drinks in the sky while I bathe in her absolute beauty.
This right here, this is what life’s all about. Finding the person who makes life worth living and not wanting to spend a second of it without them.
I could stay right here forever.
But my wife has other plans, and I go where she goes.
“Let’s go for a swim.” She jumps off her towel and offers me a hand.
I accept, but do most of the heavy lifting to stand. It’s a sweet offer, but there’s too much meat on my bones for her to move.
“Only if you behave yourself.” My turn to tease, though I’ve never gotten it down the way Callie has.
“Then you might as well sit back down.” She winks at me and starts walking to the water. “Because there’s not a chance in hell I’ll be a good girl when being bad is so much fun.”
“You know that’s why I love you,” I say, following so close behind I’m pretty much inside her already.
“And I love you.” Callie takes my hand and starts running to the water. “Don’t you ever forget it.”
I never could.
Never want to.
Never will.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
CALLIE
Two Years Later
Istare in awe at the tiny girl in my arms. Bundled up in a light blue blanket, with big blue eyes wide open and staring right back at me. I can’t imagine what a shock this must be for her, my daughter. Moments ago, warm and safe inside her momma, and now out in the world, surrounded by beeping machines and voices in the hall.
Yet, she doesn’t cry. She doesn’t let the world overwhelm and terrify her. Not when I’m here to protect her.
Now I know how Boone feels.
The door swings open, and it takes every ounce of strength I’ve got left to look over. But it’s worth it when I see who came to say hello.
Because there he is. My husband. Big, beautiful Boone, with wide-eyed euphoria on his face, looking about ready to fall over in disbelief.
