Page 116 of Undeniable Temptation

“I can’t do it.” She slumped forward, panting. “I can’t.”

“One more push, Leah.” The doctor poked his head up from between her legs. “I can already see the baby’s head.”

Ryan couldn’t fault the hospital’s support. They’d pulled out all the stops, ensuring Leah had additional staff to assist through the delivery of their child. Not that it seemed to be helping. She was in too much pain. Her agony killing him.

“No,” she cried.

“Don’t give up.” He moved into her line of vision, demanding the attention of her unfocused eyes. “You’re almost there.” He guided the hair back from her face, wishing she knew how gorgeous she was in this moment. Ineverymoment.

“One more push,” the doctor repeated. “You’ve got this.”

Ryan nodded, trying not to be daunted by the man staring between his wife’s legs.His wife.Holy shit. What a day.

She wailed, bearing down on his hand like a warrior.

There was a mass of movement in his periphery, the doctor doing things Ryan didn’t want to witness. The midwife assisted while another hovered close. Within seconds, another wail sounded. This one smaller. Meek and so undeniably heart-wrenching.

Everything after that sound was smothered by his harsh breathing and the rapid flow of blood through his ears. He clung to Leah’s hand as the doctor murmured praise about the birth, then the placenta, and finally the announcement they were parents to a beautiful baby boy.

He didn’t have time to take it all in—he was now a husband, a parent, the father to a son—before surgical scissors were placed in his hand and he was hacking at an incredibly tough umbilical cord.

Everyone moved in a rush, while he swayed on his feet. The doctor checked Leah for injury, the midwife took his child to the far corner for observations. And he merely blinked in a daze, unable to compute what had just happened until someone called out, “Ryan, would you like to hand your son over to Leah?”

A lady came toward him with a swaddled blue bundle while another went to his wife, removing her legs from the clinical stirrups, placing a blanket over them, and helping her to sit.

“I don’t know how.” He reached out, his limbs shaking, his heart thunderous.

“It’s a great time to learn.”

The nurse smiled and placed the tiny human in his arms. His son stole his breath, depriving him of thought. That tiny nose. Those cute lips. The bright blue, unfocused eyes blinking up at him.

“How is he?” Leah asked, her voice hoarse.

“Beyond words.” He came to her side, each step cautious. “I’m so proud of you.” He placed their child into her waiting arms and leaned against the bed. He couldn’t move. Didn’t want to. The caustic fluorescent light from the ceiling didn’t dull the heavenly image.

He’d never been happier. More whole. Entirely content. His throat was clogged. And his eyes,fuck,they were burning.

“I love you more than life.”

She grinned, the curve of lips lessening her look of exhaustion. “I love you, too.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Invincible. You?”

“Complete. I never thought my heart could make more room after you took it over.”

“I know what you mean.” She ran her finger over the baby’s forehead, trailing an intricate pattern over the flawless skin. “What should we call him?”

“How about Mace?” a familiar voice asked from the door.

Ryan turned and grinned at Mason and Sidney. “Not going to happen.”

“Really? I think it has a nice ring to it.” Mason came forward and placed a kiss in Leah’s hair. “For once, you look like you’ve done some work.”

Leah released a breathy laugh and accepted a hug from Sidney. “Please get revenge for me later.”

“I promise.” Sidney smiled, her focus on the already sleeping baby. “He’s so cute. Have you thought of a name yet?”

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