Page 13 of Cementing Her Love

The sexy grin I loved so much filled Colton’s face as the realization of what I’d said sunk in. I was going to remember his reaction for the rest of my life.

Gathering me into his lap, he kissed my forehead, then each of my closed eyes. He ended with a slow, feathery kiss across my lips. It was so perfect another round of tears formed.

He placed his hand on my stomach and gently squeezed. “I don’t know what to say other than you have nothing to be sorry for. I knew you’d eventually get there. But the baby? That’s just icing on the cake.”

“I’d eventually get there, huh? On any other man, I’d call that arrogance.”

“And on me?” Colton kissed my forehead again, then his hand wandered from my stomach to under my breast and massaged my now sensitive flesh. Like clockwork, the butterflies filled my lower belly and the need to show him how much I loved him became my top priority.

“Justified confidence?” I covered the hand over my breast, wishing desperately we could recreate that magical moment, but exhibitionism was not on my bucket list. I’d have to wait until tonight after we told Aria and after she’d gone to sleep because there would be no more hiding our relationship from her.

Colton threw back his head and laughed. “I’ll take it, and I’ll take you and Aria, and this baby. When are you going to marry me?”

“As soon as possible. And I know the perfect spot.”

“Oh, yeah. Where do you want to get married?” Colton asked.

“How about where this all happened?” I waved my hand over my midsection.

“You want to get married in the cab of my truck? Huh, I would have pictured you as the more traditional type, but I’m game.”

“Ha-ha. At your property. At sunset.” I could picture it now. Brenley as matron of honor, Aria as our flower girl and ring bearer. Family, friends and love. And flowers. Lots of flowers.

“Wherever you want, I’ll marry you anywhere, Shay. I love you so much.” Colton dipped his head and kissed me until the wolf whistles and clapping and the need for air broke us apart.

“See you when I get home?” He asked.

“Mine or yours?”

“How about your place, but we call it ours? Because I’m not spending another night without you.”

“Yes, I’ll see you when you get home. And Colton?”

“Yes, Shay?”

“I love you. So very much.”

“I never doubted it. I love you, too.”

EPILOGUE

SHAYLA

Each time I checked my rear-view mirror, my heart jumped at the vision that filled me with joy. There was another human in the backseat with Aria, and this one was ready to blow. His little red face was scrunched and any second the SUV was going to be filled by a healthy set of lungs.

“Mom, are we almost there? CJ is not happy.” The matter-of-fact declaration as my daughter covered her ears had become a normal occurrence since her brother had been born.

“Hang in there, sis. We’re here. Pop his Binky back in. He’ll be fine.” I heard a loud sigh as I hopped out to free him from the car seat. CJ hated the car seat and no matter what any of us did, his displeasure was constant.

“Mom, he doesn’t want it. He wants the boob.” Aria’s matter-of-fact declaration caught me off guard and I had to bite my lip not to bust out laughing. No sense encouraging with her. “Aria, please.”

“It’s not like it's not true.” My daughter waved a hand, then unbuckled herself from the booster seat and exited the vehicle, shouting for Colton. She was definitely growing up too fast.

But, yeah, she wasn’t wrong. This little boy had a big appetite, just like his daddy. Nestling CJ on my hip, I followed Aria’s excited shouts. Sounds like she discovered the outdoor jungle gym Colton insisted on getting for her.

Today’s visit was extra special. The house, our forever home, was done, and we’d be moving in this weekend. But today Colt and his crew were finishing up the back patio and he wanted us there to see the design he’d done as a surprise for us.

Standing next to the patio, Colton finished spreading out the sealer, then stepped back, took off his gloves and opened his arms to Aria. She let out another squeal, launched herself into his arms and hugged him around his neck.

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