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)
He sat up as well, looking insulted. “Sofia, I can dismantle a bomb in minutes. Implode a building without disturbing anything around it. Take apart and put back together a number of weapons in seconds. I think I can figure out a diaper. Or how to hold a baby.”
I gaped at him, and he began to laugh and tapped the end of my nose.
“I have visited the island many times. Held the babies, rocked them. Changed and fed them. I love that part of visiting. I can hardly wait to hold my own. To watch our children thrive.” His gaze darkened. “To watch you grow round with them and know they are safe and warm within your body. You will make the sexiest mother-to-be.”
“You will be an amazing father,” I whispered, fighting the thick feeling in my throat and blinking at the moisture in my eyes.
“What is this?” he murmured, wiping his thumb over my cheek where a tear fell.
“I can’t believe this, Egan. I can’t believe you. I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you love me.”
He pulled me into his arms. “I am the lucky one, my Sofia. You are my dream. And together, we will figure out our life. Here. The island. A house elsewhere. Wherever you are is my home.” He pressed a kiss to my head. “You are my home.”
I shut my eyes, letting his words sink in.
“You are mine,” I replied.
“Then we have everything we need.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Egan
Candlelight flickered over Sofia’s face, highlighting her beauty. I sipped my wine, watching her as she stared over the water. She had her chin propped up in her hand, and she wore a small smile, looking content. I loved watching her expressions. She had become much more open with me now that she had let her guard down.
She turned her head, meeting my eyes.
“You’re staring.”
“You’re beautiful. I like to look at you.”
She indicated the window. “The view is far more spectacular.”
“I disagree. Your beauty puts it to shame.”
She picked up her wine, a soft color flushing her cheeks. “Stop.”
“Why should I?”
“You’re embarrassing me.”
I lifted one shoulder, smiling at her indulgently. “Why does it embarrass you that the man you love thinks you are the most beautiful woman on this earth? You should be pleased.”
“I’m not used to it,” she admitted.
“You will grow accustomed.”
She shook her head, but I saw her smile as she lifted the wineglass to her lips. I slipped my hand into my pocket and pulled out a box, sliding it across the table. “For you.”
Her eyes grew wide and slightly panicked. I chuckled. “Not a ring, Sofia. A small token of our trip for you to remember.”
She took the box and opened it, delight written across her face. “Those earrings I admired earlier when we were walking around! But I didn’t say anything. How did you…” She trailed off. “Egan, they are lovely.”
“I saw how you looked at them. And they suited you. When I told you I had left my phone, I ran back and got them. Please wear them for me.”
She took them from the box, fastening them on her ears. The colors of the topaz against the gold were pretty. They glittered in the light and suited her. She could wear them every day, even at the hospital. A small golden topaz sat on her earlobe, and a larger smoky-colored one hung under the lobe, held together behind the ear so all you saw were the stones.
She stood and came around to my side of the table, bending low and kissing me. “Thank you,” she murmured against my mouth. “I love them.” I received another kiss. “I love you.”
She sat down before I could respond the way I wanted, which was to pull her onto my lap and kiss her senseless.
“You are spoiling me, Egan. The painting, the perfume, this trip.” She touched her ear. “And these.”
“I like to spoil you. I plan on doing it for the rest of our lives.”
“Do you know what my favorite gift is?”
“The earrings?” I guessed. She had been surprised, enthusiastic, and gracious with all the gifts, so I was curious which her favorite had been.
“No.” She reached across the table and took my hand. “Your heart.”
For a moment, I said nothing. Then I cleared my throat. “Thank you.”
Our meals arrived, and we looked at each other. I glanced up at the waiter. “Could you box these up for us, please?”
“Is everything all right, sir?”
I met Sofia’s eyes. “Everything is perfect.”
I looked around, making certain we hadn’t forgotten anything. I walked down to the dock, where Sofia waited. I wrapped my arm around her waist, tugging her back to my chest.
“Saying goodbye?” I asked.
“Can we come back?” she whispered.
“Yes. You tell me when you can have more time off, and I will book it. I know the owner.”