Page 26 of Stepbrother Obsessed

Then, our lips meet in a passionate kiss, and it’s me who clings to the curvy girl. It’s me who seeks salvation in her arms because I spoke the truth: Kristie Linwoodismore than I deserve, and it would be my honor to make her happy for the rest of her life, as a cherished and treasured woman. I want to spend the rest of my days making her laugh while holding her in my arms. In fact, I never want another day without being in her presence because Kristie is, and always has been, my obsession.

EPILOGUE

Kristie

Ilaugh as Milly throws herself into my arms when we arrive at the Austin airport.

“Kris!” she squeals with excitement. “I’m so glad you’re back! OMG, it’s been so long.”

“Careful,” my handsome boyfriend warns, frowning at his sister as we hug enthusiastically. “Kris is pregnant again, and we don’t want to hurt the baby.”

Milly merely rolls her eyes while bouncing up and down on her toes. “Of course I wouldn’t hurt the baby because I’m beyond excited to become an aunt again! I never even knew I was an aunt to begin with,” she says while cooing at the child in Nick’s arms. “Oh my god, I can’t believe I missed the first year of your life! Come here, Riley. Come to Auntie Milly. Goodness, you look just like your dad, don’t you?”

I laugh because with every passing day, Riley resembles his father more. Not only do they have the same dark hair and blue eyes, but Riley grows more mischievous by the hour, and sure enough, with an impish look, he begins tugging at Milly’s hair with a chubby baby fist.

“Ouch!” she squeals in mock outrage before pressing a kiss to his downy head. “Oh my gosh, are you flirting with me, Riles? Are you flirting with your aunt? Don’t worry, because I love you just the same,” she coos. “You are the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen!”

I laugh.

“Well, he’s eighteen months now, so he should know better than to pull hair.”

“Eighteen months is nothing!” Milly coos again while bobbling Riley in her arms. “You’re a pretty-witty little thing, aren’t you, Riley? Auntie Milly loves you.”

I share an indulgent smile with Nick because this is the happy family that we want. After our talk that day, our lives took a decided turn. I’m not saying that there will never be any misunderstandings going forwards, or that everything will always be perfect, but we’ve made a commitment to work things out together. Neither Nick nor I will let a wrong word or gesture derail us for years. Instead, we’ve pledged to nip any misunderstandings in the bud because the repercussions aren’t worth it.

Besides, now I’m pregnant with our second child. It was to be expected. My reunion with my handsome stepbrother was glorious and impassioned, and he decided to stay in Vegas for the time being.

“But who will run your medical device company?” I asked curiously. “You are the CEO, after all.”

Nick shrugged his broad shoulders before pulling me close.

“They’ll be fine for on their own for a while. I have good people working for me, and they know what to do. Besides, I’ve been working too hard anyways, and I want to take some time to get to know you and the baby. You two are my first priority, Kristie.”

The sincerity and depth in his eyes touched me, and I threw myself in his arms again.

“Thank you,” I breathed. “For holding space for us. For making sure that we’re seen and heard, and not just add-ons to your existence. You’ve made me so happy and grateful,” I add with tears springing to my eyes.

Nick stared at me, his azure gaze stormy.

“You would never be an add-on, sweetheart,” he replied in a rough voice. “You and the baby mean everything to me, and I never want to go back to the way we were.”

As a result, Nick rented an apartment in the nicest part of Vegas, and gradually integrated himself into our child’s life. At first, it was just being present for a few hours at a time, but it soon moved to staying over and helping with night feedings, changing dirty diapers, giving Riley baths, and taking the tot on park excursions while feeding him lunch and snacks. My boyfriend loves spending time with his son, and Riley adores the huge alpha male as well.

Plus, I’ve never been so happy and content before. Nick has been the missing piece of life for as long as I remember, and finally being together is a blessing. But he did say that his companywill need him at some point, and as a result, we’ve moved back to Austin for good. I’m glad actually. The City of Sin is a fun place for singles, but it’s not so great when it comes to raising a family. Now, the live music capital of the world beckons as my handsome boyfriend picks up our luggage.

“Let’s go, sweetheart,” Nick smiles. “The car’s waiting at the curb.”

I nod, with Milly and Riley trailing behind me.

“Itisnice to be back in Texas,” I sigh as we step outside into sunny weather. “I’ve missed Austin. Oh, and I want to catch up with my friend, Angela, because I haven’t seen that girl in so long!”

Nick nods as the driver takes the luggage from his hands.

“Angela is your bestie, right? I don’t think I’ve ever met her.”

“No, because we met randomly at a fitness class. We bonded because we were the only two curvy girls in a class of skinny minnies, but she’s amazing, and her life’s looking up. Her husband passed away a year or so ago, and she was devastated, in addition to being left destitute. Well, I don’t think she wasdestitute,” I correct. “But the insurance money was running out.”

Nick’s black brows rise as he opens the car door.

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