Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 29279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
I stare flabbergasted at Ana.
“No, we don’t have family dinners every week. What are you talking about?”
But my handsome boyfriend doesn’t seem to mind.
“That sounds great, Mrs. Hale,” Tom says, smiling down at me. “I’m happy to come.”
“Tom, you don’t have to agree to any of this,” I finally manage to say. But he just shrugs with a good-natured grin.
“No, it’s fine. I want to. Your parents are just making sure I’m ready to commit, that’s all, and I am. I’m all in, sweetheart.”
I smile up at him but say, “No, it’s ok, Tom. I know you live in Los Angeles and this has all happened so fast…”
Tom shakes his head.
“LA can wait. Besides, I wanted a break from my career, and I don’t have any projects in the works right now either. After the baby is born, we can talk some more about it, but I want you to know that I’m here for you no matter what.”
“Oh Brynn,” my mom gushes with tears in her eyes. “I’m so happy for you. He’s wonderful. You’ve found a wonderful man.”
I catch Tom’s gaze, my heart overwhelmed with happiness.
“I have, haven’t I? I’ve found the perfect island man.”
Tom’s return smile is devastating and my father quickly changes the subject before Ana can ask what I mean. As Simona starts talking about the baby again, Tom leans down and kisses me gently. I sigh with contentment, ensconced in the warm arms of my family, my friend, and finally, my boyfriend too. I’m ready to start the rest of my life, and it’s all because of Tom Masters and the island of St. Brigid.
Epilogue
Brynn
* * *
One year later.
Tom and I are sitting in the back of a long limousine and I’m doing my best to get comfortable. Tom, who’s watching me hungrily, grins.
“You’re going to have to stop fidgeting or I won’t be able to concentrate.”
I look up at him in his tuxedo. He’s incredibly handsome and dashing, as always.
“I’m not used to wearing dresses like this,” I say crankily, tugging at the stiff satin fabric. After all, the stylists Randy hired to get us ready for Tom’s movie premiere put me in a red and black mermaid style dress with a tight corseted top. The gown is beautiful and I have to admit, when I was looking at myself in the mirror, I was astonished. My curvy figure looks amazing in this outfit. It’s sexy without being over the top at once. Tom nearly had a heart attack when I walked down the stairs of our hotel.
Plus, my hair is loose and swept to one side, my curls held in place by a red flowered comb. Tom has been slowly brushing my bare shoulders with his fingers all night as if he can’t resist touching me.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he says with a smile.
I blush.
“Thank you. You look amazing too. It’s weird getting dressed up like this, after feeling enormous for the last year.”
Tom laughs.
“Brynn, it’s natural. You were pregnant and pregnant ladies are big.”
I smile, thinking of Hayden, our beautiful baby boy. He’s perfect. Small and chubby with jet black hair and large blue eyes, just like his dad. The nanny, a friend of my mother’s, is constantly exclaiming over him in Spanish.
“I got so huge though! My breasts…”
Tom groans, “Are amazing.”
His hand moves from my shoulder and traces the outline of my décolletage, making me shiver deliciously.
“Stop it,” I scold with a smile, but I don’t move his hand away.
“I just want to say how proud I am of you,” he says after a quick slide over my nipple. “You’ve been so great as a new mom and with supporting me too. I know you miss your job.”
I sigh. I took a break from photography after my book was published and Hayden was born. It only made sense. The late night feedings coupled with a full-on marketing blitz made for a crazy life, and I’m grateful for the pause.
“I do miss it, but you and Hayden make me so happy. It’s worth it, and he won’t be a baby forever.”
Tom smiles and leans over to kiss me, and as our lips touch, desire courses like electricity through me the way it always does. We’ve been together for over a year and this man still turns me on like crazy. I sigh and lean into him, the fabric of my dress pulling tight around my chest.
“God, I love you,” he whispers, leaning his forehead against mine. “I never thought I could be this happy.”
“Neither did I,” I whisper, closing my eyes. I’m so overcome with love for him, I can’t stand it. But then Tom pulls back with a sly smile.
“I have a present for you,” he says.
I tilt my head to the side.
“Really? Why?”
He laughs, “Because I can, and because I love you, sweetheart. Why not?” Then, Tom presses the intercom to the driver. “How far away are we, Mike?”