Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 131455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
“Don’t act like your father wouldn’t be on the first flight out here if he found out you weren’t coming back.” He follows that with a groan. “And here I am, thinking about Charlie Cole while on my honeymoon.”
“If I didn’t know better, I would think he’s the one you’re interested in, not me.”
“You got me. This has all been a ploy to spend more time with your dad.”
I roll over to face him, and at first, it’s enough just to look at him. His skin is more tanned than ever, thanks to all the sun we’ve gotten. There’s a faint scruff on his cheeks, and he appears blissfully happy. He’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. “All kidding aside, this better than I could have ever imagined. Thank you.”
“None of it would be worth a damn without you. I’m the one who’s grateful.”
It’s not a surprise, the hand he begins sliding up my thigh. Like a creeping spider, only I don’t want to shoo him away. I start to melt against him before I can help myself. His touch has become as necessary as breathing, the most natural thing in the world. I close my eyes and soak in the pleasure of his love. It’s moments like this I find it hardest to believe this isn’t a happy dream I concocted.
But, no, it’s real. The slight breeze and the sound of waves hitting the sand and the impossibly soft sheets against my skin tell me it’s real. And we’ve earned it. We deserve it.
“As nice as that is,” I murmur, groaning when he caresses my ass, “if I don’t get some food in me soon, I won’t be good for anything, and we do have dinner to think about.” The light is already starting to get thinner, dimmer, telling me night will be falling any time now. No wonder my stomach’s starting to growl. I love not having to live by a clock.
“Even on my honeymoon, I have to wait to have you,” he grumbles, but it’s a good-natured sound.
Rather than remind him of how we spent the late morning and early afternoon wrapped up in each other’s arms, I give him a playful shove. “Hey. We have to keep this baby fed, right?”
His humorous scowl softens, and now he strokes my belly gently, almost reverently. “Since you put it that way, we’d better get moving. What’s the baby want for dinner tonight?”
“Anything, so long as there’s a lot of it.”
“You know...” He rolls away from me and stands, and for a second, I can only lie back and soak in his beauty. Everything about him, from his chiseled muscles to his easy grace as he walks around the room, still fascinates me. I doubt I could ever get tired of looking at him. “I was reading during the flight over, and they say if you’re carrying a boy, he requires more calories than a girl.”
“Really?”
“Something like a third more than a girl would.”
“Or maybe I’m just using the baby as an excuse to finally let loose and pig out a little.”
“I’m telling you,” he insists with a grin as he pulls on a pair of shorts, “it’s a boy. Mark my words.”
“Whatever you say, doctor.” I know he’ll be happy either way, but for his sake, I hope it is. And I can’t help but imagine what it would be like to watch Callum raising a little boy. The idea warms me inside like few things can.
“Right this way, Mr. and Mrs. Torrio.” The hostess leads us to the table closest to the water, positioned at the far end of the outdoor dining room overlooking the beach. Lit torches and the lights hanging overhead give everything a romantic glow—or maybe that’s because I’m feeling romantic. Who wouldn’t on their honeymoon, especially in a place like this?
Once we’re seated, Callum flashes me a roguish grin from across the table. “Mrs. Torrio. I love the sound of that.”
“I love it more.” And I mean it.
“Remind me to keep you pregnant forever.”
“Oh? You think so?”
“You’re absolutely glowing.”
“It’s a trick of the lighting,” I tease. “That, and I’ve gotten more sun than usual.”
His dark eyes flare with desire. “Just the same, you’re lucky we made it out of the room.”
“Since when is that anything new?”
We have to put the conversation aside once our server approaches, but we can’t help giving each other sly looks as we order our entrees. I love the sense of always having a fun little secret. Though, considering the way Callum keeps eyeing me, it’s probably not that much of a secret. We’re on our honeymoon, after all. I’m sure we’re not the first couple to lust over each other in public.
There’s a band playing on the beach, and by the time our mahi-mahi arrives, several people have finished their meals and wandered down to the sand to dance. As time goes on, the crowd grows until there are a few dozen people having fun while I take the last bite of the light, buttery fish.