Page 105 of Recipe for Temptation

Oh yeah, Michael thought wickedly, stroking deeper. I’m going to love spending the rest of my life with this woman.

Epilogue

One year later

The warm Tuscan sun peeked through deep green vines, casting a golden glow on the cobblestone pathway leading up to Michael and Reese’s cottage.

For the past month, the newlyweds had been reveling in the beauty of the Tuscan countryside, exploring local markets, cooking together, strolling through charming villages, sharing romantic dinners, lounging by the pool, and making love in every corner.

Situated at the top of a hill, their rustic cottage had panoramic views of olive groves, meadows, forests and mountains. Reese had fallen in love with the place at first sight. It turned out to be the perfect spot for their September wedding. They’d returned again this summer, just the two of them—well, technically three.

Reese smiled as she held Michael’s hand, her other hand resting on her small baby bump. She was five months along. They were having a girl, and they’d already picked out her name: Savannah Deidra Marie.

“How’re you feeling?” Michael asked, nuzzling into her hair as they slowly walked up the long path toward the cottage. “Want me to carry you the rest of the way?”

“I think I’m good,” Reese said with a grin. “But when we get to the front door, I’ll let you carry me across the threshold like you always do. That never gets old. Of course, the bigger I get?—”

“Still won’t be a problem.” He flexed an impressive bicep. “You see these guns? You see how much I can bench?”

“Oh my.” Reese pretended to swoon.

He laughed and tweaked her nose.

Resting her head against his shoulder, she sighed. “I wish we could stay another month, but alas, duty calls.”

She had patients to see at Emory University Hospital, and Michael had to tape a new season of Howlin’ Good. Just as their on-air engagement had been a media sensation, their baby news had also gone viral. Navigating the intricacies of a celebrity relationship could be challenging, but so far they were managing well.

Reese sighed. “I can’t believe we’re going to be parents.”

“I know.” Michael pulled her close, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “I can’t wait to meet our little Savvy.”

Reese slanted him a grin. “You can’t wait to spoil her rotten, you mean. She’s going to have you wrapped around her little finger, and I’m going to have to be the bad guy who occasionally tells her no.”

Michael grinned. “Sounds about right.”

They both laughed.

“Seriously though, babe.” Michael stopped and turned to face her, tenderly stroking her cheek as he gazed into her eyes. “You’re going to be an amazing mom, the absolute best our child could ever hope for.”

Her throat stung with tears. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Reese,” he said huskily. “You saved me from myself.”

She smiled softly. “We saved each other.”

His eyes drifted downward, his big hand curving over the swell of her belly. At that moment, she felt the first flutters of movement in her womb, causing both her and Michael to gasp.

“The baby’s kicking,” she whispered excitedly.

His face broke into a delighted grin. “Is this the first time?”

“For us, yes.” As an ob-gyn, Reese had witnessed countless mothers experiencing the quickening effect with their babies. Now she knew firsthand how it felt.

Michael dropped to a crouch in front of her, his hands protectively cradling her round stomach. Closing his eyes, he brushed his lips over her belly and whispered words she couldn’t make out, a father’s earnest prayer.

Reese watched him, tenderly stroking his smooth black hair and falling harder than ever.

He straightened from his crouch, his eyes on hers.

Standing under the golden Tuscan sun, Michael framed her face between his hands and gave her a deep, soul-searing kiss that affirmed the power of their love and the promise of the new life they’d created….

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