Page 111 of Her Redeemed Protector

“Yeah?” I drawl.

“Speaking about play…” He leans closer to my ear, rasping, “I would love to watch you.”

His voice is too erotic for me to misinterpret it. Turns out his request is anything but soft.

Realizing I’m not responding, he cancels out his intention, “Well, it’s perfectly fine if you’d rather not or if you prefer to wait until the baby arrives.”

“Why would I want to wait?” My lips move right on his earlobe. “If you pull down my pants right now and give me a bit of inspiration, I will show you.”

“Jesus, Sav.” He gulps, fingers slipping beneath the blanket, searching for the waistband of my trousers.

Suddenly, we hear the front door opening. Dad and Rodolfo have returned. Hux and I exchange glances, unable to contain our giggles.

He chuckles and says, “Well, this is definitely something I didn’t think about when I agreed to have kids.”

I raise my brows. I guess I hadn’t, either. But it’s all worth it, as I welcome Rodolfo, who has sprinted up the stairs, rushing to me with a bunch of summer blooms.

“Gracias, Rodolfo,son hermosas,” I kiss his cheek.

“Pop-pop bought ice cream for me. Can I have now?” he asks.

“Of course, go on,” I say and nudge him to join my dad downstairs.

Hux smiles and pulls me into his arms. We enjoy a quiet moment before I let out a contented sigh. “I can’t believe I’m a mom now and about to be all over again so soon,” I whisper, awed by the rapid changes. “An eight-year-old, huh?”

“Welcome to the club,” Huxley says with a chuckle, his hand warm on my belly.

“I’ll love him as much as I love our own child, Hux. I promise.”

“Our child?” he corrects, arching an eyebrow. “You mean our children?”

We burst into laughter, slipping deeper under the covers.

As Huxley’s laughter subsides, I lean in closer, drawn tohis lips. It’s a deep, fervent kiss filled with all the emotions that are burning in me for him.

This moment, so raw and pure, is a testament to the unexpected turns life can take. It’s a miracle, really, how plans unravel and reshape, yet, through it all, if there’s love—if your actions stem from the heart—then somehow, you find the strength to adjust. You rise to meet the needs of those who depend on you, and you cherish those you hold dear with every fiber of your being.

My life’s trajectory altered the day I met Huxley, impeccable in his suit, while I rode on horseback, feeling elevated yet on par with him. Our journey together advanced with the kind of swift, unstoppable force. Lying here beside him, feeling the promise of our growing family beneath my hand, I swear I wouldn’t want it any other way. This spontaneous unfolding of life—messy, beautiful, and utterly perfect in its chaos—is exactly how I want to continue.

I’m truly complete.

45

HUXLEY

Rodolfo is adjusting to life in Helena quite well, though he does have his moments of rebellion. Luckily, between Savannah and me, managing his spirited episodes hasn’t been too much of a challenge. Given his natural curiosity, one of the trickier parts of his adaptation has been discussing my work. Returning to my duties at Red Mark means I need to tread carefully when explaining the what, why and how of my job. But with Mark and Sam showing me the ropes—both seasoned family men themselves—I’m learning to master the balance between discretion and clarity.

Today, though, we’re back at Starfire.

Rodolfo’s eyes flare as if his dreams are coming true, seeing the rugged scenery and cattle, along with the cowboys working at our ranch, including Micah, my brother.

He loves playing cowboy, riding with Micah in the expansive fields dotted with grazing cattle. His earnest attempts to mimic Micah’s every move, from the way he adjusts his hat to his relaxed stride, are endearing, though he still has miles to go before he can truly fill those boots. The boy’s appetite is insatiable, fueled by long days in the open air. At this rate, histransformation into a seasoned ranch hand like Micah seems just a matter of time.

As I watch them from the porch, I catch the laughter and shouts of their playful teaching amid the rustling of the aspens.

Our pregnancy has entered its second trimester, and each day brings a new layer to our shared joy.

Savannah sits on the porch, her hands resting on the swell of her belly, eyes closed in a moment of peaceful respite. I can’t resist joining her, my hand finding its place over hers. She smiles as I massage her belly lightly, telling me how much it soothes her morning sickness.

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