Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
I watch as he looks around the table and smiles. Turning back to me, he wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. Kissing the top of my head, he utters, “Nothing’s gonna beat today. Got everyone I care about close, and that’s never happened in my life. I hate to say it, babe…” Looking at me with dead seriousness, he continues, “Never thought I’d be glad about having to protect someone. But, fuck me, I totally am. Hate what we went through to get here. But…we’re here. And that’s all I care about.”
Leaning my forehead into the side of his chin, I say softly, “Love you, Nox.”
He sighs, “Love you more, princess. You have no idea how much.”
I close my eyes tightly, put a hand to his thigh and squeeze.
Yeah.
I’m pretty sure I do.
Epilogue
Two years later…
Nox
Coming back from my run, I huff and puff while I make my way into our house.
My heart pounds.
Today was a good one. I beat my personal best and I managed that on my new prosthetic running leg.
It’s so fuckin’ cool. It’s an L shaped piece of carbon-fiber that makes me bounce more than run.
And I’m loving it. But I’m tired as hell now.
Lily and I bought a house not too long after we got married. She was right. The apartment was too small. We needed a place where I could have a room as a gym, and eventually a nursery.
Our house is a modest four bedroom home in the suburbs.
It took Mitch a little time to have my money cleaned and put into an account in my real name. Regardless of how much money we have, Lily insists on working. I don’t think this is a bad thing. In fact, I like that she knows what she wants. Although, I am surprised as hell that she went back to work with her dad at Flynn Logistics.
She’s working her way up. And fast. In the past year, she’s had three promotions.
And this isn’t because she’s Daddy’s girl. It’s because she works damn hard, and she’s smart as hell.
I’m so proud of her.
I, however, am retired.
I’ve worked enough in my young life to realize that I was missing out on too much. So now, I enjoy my life with Lily.
“Lily?” I yell this into the kitchen.
No answer. Walking down the hall and out the back door, I find her. Smiling, I take a look at what she’s doing and chuckle.
I walk down the steps to her, and take the clothes out of her hands. “Let me do that. It’s too high up for you.”
Lily smiles at me like I’m her hero.
Always her hero.
All I did was hang some wet clothes for her.
She asks, “So? How was it?”
Still catching my breath, I huff out a laugh. “Like running on water. So damn good. I don’t think I’ll ever take this one off.”
And she grins, “Maybe I can give you a reason to take it off.”
My brows rise.
Turning, I ask hoarsely, “Oh yeah? How baby?”
Looking left, then right, she crooks her finger. Leaning down to her, she reaches up and cups my cheeks. She presses her lips to mine, and I breathe her in.
My wife is amazing.
Pulling back a little, she whispers, “I’ve got an itch that needs scratching.”
Playing with her, my face turns serious. “Where is this itch?”
The apples of her cheeks flush pink.
I love when they do that.
Licking her pink lips, her smiling, green eyes meet mine. “I need to show you somewhere I can lie down. The bedroom would be a good place to start.”
A good place to start?
Shit.
She had me at itch.
Turning, her hair swishes down her back, and I feel myself start to harden.
Fuckin’ love that hair.
I watch her ass sway as she walks up the steps, and into the house.
Tired?
Nope.
Not anymore.
***
Lily
After this afternoon’s spectacular love making, Nox left me to sleep it off. And I needed it.
The man is insatiable.
…Oh, who am I kidding?
I’m just as bad.
Maybe worse.
Recently, it’s gotten really bad. I feel like such a hussy! But my husband loves me, and is always willing to help me scratch my itch.
Smiling like an idiot, I feel a small sharp pain in my belly.
Ooh. That was not so nice.
Then another. And another.
Standing on wobbly legs, I make my way out to the hall.
Looking down at my feet, my eyes widen to the size of saucers.
Oh shit.
***
Nox
“Mom, I can’t tell her to stop working. It makes her happy. Do you think she’d even listen to me if I asked?” I say into the cell phone.
Mom responds, “She won’t listen, but it doesn’t mean you don’t have to try. She’s in a delicate stage at this point, baby. You helping her out?”
Somewhat proud of myself, I state, “Hung the washing for her just this afternoon.”
“Nox.”
I can almost see Mama’s smile, “That’s my good boy.”