Page 75 of Pucks and Likes

I smile back as she whispers, “I never thought the first time I said I love you, you wouldn’t say it back.”

I can’t help but chuckle as I roll us over so that we’re on our sides, facing each other. I hook her leg over my hip so I can stay inside her. I wasn’t kidding when I said it was my favorite place to be. I’d live like this if she’d let me.

“I don’t have to say it. You know it’s true,” I say, cupping her throat in my hand. “You feel it everywhere, don’t you?”

“I do. I think I always did.” Her eyes are bright, though hooded. She leans in, pressing her lips to mine but not kissing me. “I love you, Alex.”

My heart sings for this woman. I cup her jaw, peppering kisses along her lips before I whisper back, “I love you. For the rest of my existence.”

Her lips curve against mine, and she whispers, “And beyond that.”

I nod, my nose moving against hers, and I know I’m fully and utterly hers.

CHAPTER 33

Elliot

I’m a ball of nerves.

But not in the sense that I was two months ago.

So much has changed.

“Well, we are no longer worried about the size of the baby, that’s for sure.”

Dr. Riley can say that again. I went from a cute little semi-flat stomach to looking like my son is stretching out his arms and legs fully with no cares that there is not enough room for him to do that. I went from not looking pregnant…to one look at me, and people are worried my water might break.

My back hurts, my feet are swollen, I have stretch marks galore, my boobs are heavy, I’m hot, tired, and feel like I may topple over, but I am the happiest I’ve ever been.

Alex’s fingers dance along my swollen, shiny stomach as he grins down at me. He’s let his hair grow out a bit on his jaw, no longer groomed and tidy. He looks all rough and sexy, and of course, my overactive libido is ignoring the fact that I’m as big as a whale and all I can do is lie there as he blows my ever-loving mind.

Not that he’s complaining.

No, he eats me out and grins as I come, smug as a bug in a rug.

Bastard.

Oh, how I love him. More than I ever thought possible. I always knew he was dangerous. I knew deep in my soul that if I allowed myself, I’d fall so hard there would be no coming out of the love haze around him. But knowing it and experiencing it are two different things. He completes me. He reads my body like it’s his. I never knew I needed that. Someone to see when I’m about to spiral and catch me before I fall.

While the meds are helping and the intrusive thoughts aren’t as bad, I still get overwhelmed. I still feel everything in a big way, and Alex loves me through it. He reassures me. He kisses me when I think I don’t want kisses. He holds me when I want to be left alone. He dresses me when the simple act of putting my head in a shirt becomes too much.

He tells me he loves me, even when I feel like there is no way he could.

I take in his profile while he watches Dr. Riley like a hawk as he moves between my legs to check me. Alex still doesn’t trust him or care for him, and I’m surprised he doesn’t mark me before we come. His possessiveness is so hot, but also mind-blowingly annoying. I don’t care, though. I love him. Even when he is driving me wild, which is about all the damn time.

When Dr. Riley nods, my stomach tightens with nerves. “You’re at a three, which, as I explained, is normal.”

I’ve been at a three for two weeks, and I still have two more weeks to go.

“And you can’t just evict him? I’m cool with a C-section.”

Alex chuckles beside me, tucking my hair behind my ear. “Impatient ass.”

I fight back a grin, but my face fills with a flush. He only calls me that now when I’m begging him to let me come.

“Nope. I want all first-time moms to let the baby decide how the birth will go. I’m pretty sure we still have two weeks, but you never know. Your water could break today.”

My eyes widen, and I rub my belly. “No, sir. Grandma Lou is getting married today. No coming today.”

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