Page 108 of While We Waited

“I love you, too, but you know this. What you don’t seem to know is that you don’t ruin good things and you’re more than your football career. Someone has to set you straight.”

“And you’re the person who’s going to do it.”

I shrug. “I think I signed up for the position when I fell in love with you.”

He draws his hands up my sides, skimming along my breasts, until he reaches my neck. “I love you, Nova. I don’t deserve you. I’m a grump and you’re sunshine, but I’m not letting you go.”

I wrinkle my nose. “You’re not always a grump.” He smiles and I point at his face. “You smiled. Thanks for proving my point.”

“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

I smile. “Same.”

“There she is, my sunshine.”

He uses his hold on my neck to pull me close and molds his lips to mine. I moan and he thrusts his tongue into my mouth. I love how he kisses me as if he can never get enough. As if he loves the taste of me.

I understand since I love the taste of him, too. I love being surrounded by his sandalwood scent and feeling his warmth against my body. His hard muscles against my soft curves.

He pulls back and places his forehead against mine. “What do you say to a shower together?”

“I’ll never say no to a joint shower.”

He lifts me off of his lap. “Just try not to drown me this time.”

“I make no promises,” I sing as I rush into the bathroom. He chases after me.

I hope he always chases after me.

Chapter 35

Baby shower – an excuse for Hudson to spoil his sunshine

Nova

Ibustle around the kitchen checking to make sure everything is ready. I want everything to be perfect for the baby shower. I can’t wait to surprise my friends with the gender of the baby.

“Sunshine,” Hudson growls.

“I’ll sit down in a minute.”

He’s been growling at me to sit down every few seconds. He acts as if I’m made of glass since I’m pregnant. As if women haven’t been having babies since the beginning of time.

He grasps my elbow and guides me toward a chair. “You’re nearly eight months pregnant.”

The past months have flown by since Hudson declared his love. Christmas was the best holiday I’ve had since Mom was alive. I missed her something terrible but Hudson was thereto hold me when it got too much. And his mom, Emma, is an absolute saint who is beyond excited to become a grandmother.

I place a hand over my belly. “I’m aware.”

“You should rest. You don’t need—”

“Shhh…” I shush him and grab his hand. I place it on my belly. “Did you feel Sprog?”

The baby kicks again and Hudson’s eyes light up. “Sprog is one strong baby.”

“Because Sprog’s daddy is the strongest man I know.”

He smiles and my heart warms at the sight. Hudson is no longer the grumpiest man in the world, but his smiles are still rare and therefore precious to me. He’s precious to me.

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