Page 24 of My Reluctant Valentine

“So...” Cole’s smile was wicked. “Ready for your next lesson?”

“Depends.” I tried for innocence. “Will it involve detailed anatomical exploration? Reaction time to certain—”

I yelped as he opened the door to the SUV and put me inside without seeming to move. “I’ll teach you everything about recovery time and then some, baby.” He positioned me over his lap. “What did I say about medical terms?”

“That it makes you want to corrupt me thoroughly?” His kiss cut off my medical lecture, but I didn’t mind.

Some lessons, it turns out, are better taught without words at all.

EPILOGUE

Cole

I never thought I’d be here—cooking dinner in our kitchen, ring box hidden in my desk, listening for my little doctor’s key in the door. Three months ago, I was a solitary man with a security business and too many scars, both inside and out. Now I had a woman who quoted medical terminology during sex and made me believe in second chances.

The sound of the front door bursting open pulled me from my thoughts. Ella rushed past me, straight to the bathroom. The retching sounds that followed made me frown. My protective instincts kicked in even as a suspicion formed.

“Ella?” I found her bent over the toilet, her dark hair falling forward. Without hesitation, I gathered her hair back, rubbing her spine the way she liked when she was stressed. I couldn’t think of anything more stressful than this.

“Don’t get too close. I think I picked up the bug that’s going around.” She sat down on the floor, leaning back against the tub. I stood, handing her a wet cloth. She had taken over the practice for the doctor she’d filled in for. “Though from a medical perspective—”

“Baby, I don’t think that’s it.” I sat down beside her, pressing a kiss to her temple, my heart racing at what this might mean.

She blinked up at me with those big brown eyes that had haunted my dreams since that first day at the airport. “What?”

“I think you might be pregnant and you have morning sickness. Or NVP—nausea and vomiting of pregnancy,” I couldn’t help but grin. “Which, little doctor, can happen any time of day.”

“I know that.” She swatted my chest, but her eyes held wonder. “I’m the one with the medical degree.” She sat there a moment longer. “You think I’m pregnant?”

“Yeah. I do. Your breasts have been more, um, sensitive. You’re a little more moody.”

That earned me a glare.

“And you’re more beautiful than ever.”

“Oh, Cole.” I saw the tears start to form in her eyes.

“See? You’re more emotional.” I grinned down at her.

“A baby. I think you’re right,” she agreed. “We’re going to have a baby.”

I stood, gathering her into my arms.

“What are you doing?” she asked, even as she put her arms around my neck, her head on my shoulder.

“Putting you to bed.” I carried her to our room, sitting her on the edge of the bed. I started working on the buttons of her blouse while imagining her even more rounded with my child. “Then I’ll bring you some toast and—”

“No.” She caught my hand, that sparkle in her eye that always meant trouble. “I know another way to make this go away. A theory, if you will.”

I arched an eyebrow, already hardening at her tone. “And what theory is that?”

“That sex can actually help alleviate symptoms due to the release of certain hormones and—

“

“Say no more, little doctor.” I laid her on our bed.Ourbed, inourhome. How had I gotten so lucky? “I will gladly participate in this research opportunity.”

Her giggle turned to gasps as I started stripping. Those gasps turned to moans as I joined her on the bed, my hand sliding between her legs. I found her swollen nub and started circling with my thumb. Her opening already slick. “So wet, baby? Were you thinking about this on the way home? You should have been concentrating on the road.”

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