Page 143 of Sardonic Burn

We’ve been sailing the sea for the past four months, and Noelle doesn’t want to return to land just yet.

Until I return and all technicalities are dealt with properly, Lyla is more than happy to look after everything. Henrick wants to retire so badly that he didn’t even protest. He just handed her the keys of the main manor, took Leah, and moved out.

As exciting as it all seems, the most exciting thing is right in front of me.

Noelle is on the deck, leaned against the railing. The wind is blowing her hair, and she has nothing but a thin bikini on and a little hat to protect her from the sun. She’s staring into the ocean. Her perfect ass is in my view as I remain in the shade.

Noelle tans.

I fucking burn like I’m a goddamn vampire.

“Baby, come over here,” I call her over.

As she turns, the wind blows the hat from her head, and she jumps over the railings into the sea to grab it. Panic sets in my body as I rush toward the deck, then sigh in relief when I see her swimming.

“That’s fucking dangerous.” I grab her hand and help her come up. She gives me a little grin.

“Sorry. The hat is expensive.”

“I’ll buy you ten more, just don’t jump into the fucking sea like that.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“Noelle, baby.” I take a deep breath. “There are sharks in there.”

She frowns. “There’s a higher possibility of getting hit by a car than getting eaten by a shark.”

“Yes,” I agree with a nod. “But there are no cars here. Be careful.”

Her eyes soften, and she kisses me, though it’s more of a peck.

“I won’t do it again. I’m sorry.”

“Good.”

She hops under the shade, sits on the deck chair, and sprawls her legs. She grabs one of the books she brought with her and flips the page while sipping on a virgin cocktail.

I’m no doctor, but she hasn’t had a period since we came here. And it’s been months. Her lower belly slowly started to swell a while ago and although it’s yet to be confirmed, I think Noelle is pregnant with my baby.

And I’m fucking over the moon. We’ll have a baby together, and I can’t imagine a life better than that. She came into my life, took it by storm, and forever engraved herself in my heart.

I lie on the chair next to hers, staring at her.

The scar on her throat is still there. It’s slowly fading away, but it’s there, and it pisses me off beyond words. She’s beautiful with or without it, but the fact that someone managed to do it to her is unforgivable.

“You’re staring.” Her voice derails my train of thought, and I grin.

“You’re mine to stare at.”

“You’re annoying.”

“You love me.”

“I do,” she agrees. She closes the book, puts it on the small table, and turns to look at me.

“So.” She clears her throat. “What are we naming it?”

“It?” I repeat. “It’s not an animal; it’s a child.”

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