Epilogue 2
The late afternoon light spills into the kitchen, landing on a floor already carpeted in a mess of toys. Cara toddles around, ducking like a pro as I rain more junk her way while prepping dinner.
Winnie, like the true diva she is, claims her corner with some pretty insistent yips like I haven’t fed her in years. The smell of salmon sneaks up and punches me right in the stomach, sending me running to the bathroom where I almost don't make it.
After a bout of hurling that rivals college-level hangovers, I wobble back into the living room. Cara's passed out, without a care in the world, nestled next to Winnie on her overstuffed pink bed. Her favorite show, Bluey , is still going on the TV. Cara’s tiny snores hit me in waves, making the room feel as cozy as it looks chaotic.
I crash at the breakfast bar, drop my head into my hands, and try to ignore the subtle queasiness that lingers. Puking at the smell of fish means only one thing, and I’ve got Cara to prove it. I lift my head and stare at the wall, replaying all the times this exact same thing happened when I was pregnant with Cara. Me, pregnant? Again? I can't even finish the thought before grabbing my phone to order a pregnancy test from the drugstore.
With the delivery timer counting down, I flop onto the couch. The nerves start to build in a tight little ball inside me. I pace, check on Cara, toss my hair up, rip it down, and glance at the clock. Only twenty minutes have passed, and I’m wearing a path into the carpet. As it gets closer, I realize how much I want this.
Finally, the test arrives. I all but lunge for it. By the time I reach the bathroom, I’ve already torn the box open. I don’t even have time to wash my hands before the plus sign appears. And just like that, my world’s absolutely perfect.
As the initial shock settles into excitement, a smile tugs at my lips. God help me, we're gonna do this again.
Cara’s finally asleep in her crib while Winnie snuggles into her pink princess doggy bed. The Chihuahua is snoring even louder than my toddler. Cara lets out a tiny sigh, nestling deeper into sleep while Ian turns on her nightlight.
We walk into the hallway and Ian softly shuts Cara’s door before tangling his hand in mine. “You wanna watch a movie?” he asks, and usually I’d love to but tonight I have other plans.
“No,” I say, flashing him a look that I know he can't resist. “I have other plans for you tonight.”
I pull him along, and he’s laughing already as we come to our room, his surprise turning into hunger. His eyes lock onto me with an intensity that makes him seem like the king of the jungle, and I'm the unsuspecting gazelle caught in his sights, with no hope of escape.
I let my shirt glide slowly to the floor, the fabric whispering against my skin, and flick my hair out of my eyes, causing him to groan, a low and primal sound, and curse softly under his breath. With a delicate motion, I unhook my bra, pulling it off and tossing it aside. As I peel my pants away, revealing more of myself, his lips curl into a wide, predatory grin, full of anticipation and desire.
As I stretch out languidly on the bed, my body sinks into the soft covers, and I curl a finger at him. My heart races wildly, performing its usual frenzied dance while he hurriedly strips off his clothes.
His movements are swift and eager, filled with an unsteady urgency. He prowls toward the bed, each step a confident stride, his gaze locked onto mine with an intensity that speaks of nothing but raw, unrestrained hunger.
He crawls over me. "God, I love you," he says, pinning me with his lips. They're hot and demanding, leaving me lightheaded as they make their way across my mouth and down my neck. I writhe under him, not even trying to fight it.
His tongue leaves a slick trail across my breasts, and I swear I hear him laughing when he feels me tremble. I'm completely at his mercy, and he fucking knows it. "I love you," he repeats, sending the words straight to my core.
I can barely stand it, but I know what's coming, so I bite my lip and let him continue his downward journey. When he reaches my belly, I start whispering a string of half-crazed encouragements. He loves that, so he answers with his own language, his teeth grazing the edge of my panties.
"Yes, please," I gasp. Ian lifts his head and gives me the look. The one that promises to ruin me, but in a nice way.
He gently slides my underwear down, his fingers brushing against my skin with an electric touch, and begins to lavish attention upon me, murmuring soft oaths of love and declarations of how I'm making him lose control. By the time he reaches the most sensitive part of me, I'm a trembling mass of sensation.
His lips press against my skin with a relentless intensity, each motion meticulously calculated. His tongue glides over me, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake, as though he's on a mission to ignite every nerve ending. Each fervent suck and deliberate lick send electric shivers through my body, making my heart race faster with every second.
My thighs start to shake as his tongue makes wild promises. "Ian," I manage, but my voice breaks apart.
He's relentless, finding a rhythm that takes me higher and higher, every sweet word and motion melting me into a wetter, softer version of myself. His tongue traces one more line, and that's it. I'm completely gone, body arching like it's trying to escape my skin.
As he moves back up, that irresistible crooked grin spreads across his face, the one I'm utterly addicted to. His hands gently cradle my face, and he kisses me with a fervent intensity, his lips fierce and open, stealing my breath away just as I manage to catch it.
"Please," I murmur between frantic gasps, my voice a whisper of desperation.
"Please what?" he murmurs, his voice a low, tantalizing rasp against the side of my throat. He places his hard length at my entrance, now slick with anticipation.
“Please, fuck me,” I plead, my mind consumed by my overwhelming need for my husband.
He's hot and unyielding against me, and as he thrusts inside, the world seems to tilt and spin. My legs wrap tightly around him, and I dig my nails into his muscular back, anchoring myself to him as he drives me to the edge of sanity with each powerful thrust.
"Fuck, Sage," he groans, dropping his head into the crook of my neck. His skin is slick and warm, and I feel him everywhere.
He pulls back and thrusts even deeper. I clamp my teeth over my lip to keep from shouting, knowing Cara could sleep through a tornado but not wanting to chance it.
"More," I demand, meeting his crazed rhythm.
"I love you so much," he replies, like a pledge and a confession.
"Show me," I whisper, my voice barely cutting through the charged air between us.
He responds with a surge of energy, moving even faster, his determination palpable. "Always," he promises, his voice a blend of intensity and unwavering commitment.
We spiral together with an irresistible intensity. The impact shatters me into countless quivering fragments of sensation. Ian lets out a deep, primal groan as he joins me in bliss, nestled deep inside me, holding on to me for dear life.
He rolls us so I'm stretched out across him, chests heaving and bodies sticky, his heart banging the same crazy beat as mine. I rest my chin on his broad, steady chest and give him my warmest smile.
"You know," I start, savoring each word, "breastfeeding definitely doesn't work as birth control."
His brow furrows for a beat. "How do you know?"
I raise my eyebrows.
"You mean?—?"
I nod, trying to hold back my laugh.
"Oh my fucking God, Sage!" He's yelling so loud I'm worried Cara might actually wake up for once. But then he's laughing, and I'm laughing, and we both sound like lunatics. "We're having another baby!" he whoops.
"Yes," I say, kissing the grin right off his face. "I'm so fucking happy, too."
He lets out an even louder, booming laugh that echoes around us. "I knew I'd find a way to get you to swear," he teases, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
“It’s great to have goals,” I reply, a playful grin spreading across my face. I lean in closer, feeling the warmth of his breath against my skin as our laughter intertwines, dancing through the cool evening air.
He devours my lips, the moment charged with emotion and a depth of love that speaks volumes. It's a kiss filled with love and devotion, sealing the bond we share with an intensity that leaves us both breathless.
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Atlas and Eloise’s story is coming soon!
A Hot Mess
The Hot Brothers Series
Four brothers, one firehouse, and enough testosterone to set an entire town ablaze.
The Hot Brothers are known for saving lives, turning heads, and melting hearts. These firefighters have no problem keeping cool under pressure until love comes along.
Enter the sassy, independent women who ignite their possessive instincts and disintegrate their walls. With steamy banter, sparks flying, and laugh-out-loud chaos, the Hot Brothers are about to discover that when it comes to love, they’re playing with fire.
If you can handle the heat, dive into a rom-com series full of passion, humor, and heroes who fall hard, fast, and forever for their curvy soulmates.