Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“I think I lost my underwear,” I whispered into his ear.
“I think I lost the feeling in my ass.”
I grabbed at it, squeezing it firmly. “It’s still there.”
He lifted his hand from the water. “So’s your underwear.”
I began to laugh. He lifted his head, joining me, our amusement loud in the stillness surrounding us.
“I think we may have scared the fish.”
He grinned. “Then my job here is done.”
I shivered and he frowned. “Okay, playtime is over. Up to the cottage and we’ll dry off and have a nap.”
“Not sure I can move.”
He smiled and kissed me again, then turned me around. As I began to climb, I looked back at him. “Our clothes are wet. We didn’t bring towels.”
“Then you’d better run.”
On the dock, I clutched my shirt, no idea where my leggings ended up. I began to hurry to the cottage, but Egan caught me, throwing me over his shoulder. He moved fast, muttering the whole time about his junk swinging in the breeze, making me laugh.
I smacked his ass, admiring the way it flexed as he moved.
If this was how our break began, I was looking forward to the next few days.
Egan’s heartbeat was a steady rhythm under my ear. His chest rose and fell with even breaths. Our bodies were pressed together, and he slowly drifted his fingers through my hair. The late-afternoon sun glinted on the skylights overhead, filling the room with its warmth.
I let out a sigh of pure happiness. I had never felt such contentment. Been so peaceful. With Egan, I was safe, loved, and secure. It was a feeling I wanted to get used to.
He cupped the back of my head, his voice low and affectionate when he spoke.
“Good sigh, Sofia? Or are you bored?”
I snuggled closer. “I am never bored with you, Egan. I was thinking I have never felt so content and happy. I love being with you.”
“Ah, iubirea mea. You have no idea how long I waited to hear you say that. You make me whole. Complete. I love being with you as well.”
He paused. “I want to be with you the rest of my life.”
There was a time his words would have frightened me. When I would have pushed away and said no. But now, his declaration filled me with a sense of rightness.
“How do you see our life, Egan?” I asked quietly.
He was silent for a moment, but I felt his heartbeat increase. Felt the way his hold tightened. He went back to stroking my head.
“I see us with a family,” he responded. “Happy.”
“I love being a doctor.”
“I would never ask you to give that up. I know how long you went to school, how many sacrifices you made to become one.” He took in a long inhale of air. “Do you want children, Sofia?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Then you can do both. I will be with our children. I can work from home. Paint. Oversee the gym. Arrange care for when I need to go to a meeting.”
I lifted my head, meeting his eyes. “You would do that?”
“I think being a father is a very important job. It makes me no less a man to raise my children while their mother works. One less gym in the world means nothing. But one talented, caring physician can make a huge impact.”
“What about…” I trailed off.
“No. I will not do anything dangerous. Once we are committed to our life together, it is gone. No more explosions. No more HJ. Nothing. Like Damien or Marcus, I will give it up. You, us, mean more.”
“What about Elite?”
“I can help Leo behind the scenes. Put on a tux and look tough on occasion. But nothing high risk or profile.” He smiled as he traced a finger down my cheek. “I am wealthy enough I never have to work, Sofia. Nor do you. But I understand your calling, and I would never deny it.”
I stared at him in wonder. “You are incredible.”
He smiled. “No, I am smart. I love you. I want you happy. Telling you to sit at home while I work and you waste your talent and schooling is a recipe for disaster.”
I was amazed by his words.
“Now, Matteo had offered us a house on his island if you want a totally different lifestyle.”
“What?”
He chuckled. “There is a hospital on the mainland. Easily accessible and always in need of doctors. Damien said you would love it there. We could live happily in a very safe place. You could be a doctor, be close to Damien, have me, and I will still look after the babies.”
“And everything here?”
He shrugged. “Is a placeholder. Part of my life I can leave behind. As long as I have you, my paintbrushes, and lots of babies, I am happy.”
I sat up, looking at him. “Egan, have you ever changed a diaper? Held a baby?”