Page 72 of Love Bites
“The idea was to surprise you.” He smiled then bent down and pressed a kiss to her stomach, causing the baby to kick even more.
“Well, consider me surprised,” she said. “Are you playing anything else tonight?”
Ignacio shook his head. “Nope, the rest of the night is opera night. I was just an opening, filling in as a favor to Mr. von Angel, in exchange for all his help.” His help with the Hunter Francis situation. He didn't need to say that part out loud.
Katheryn nodded. “So we can go?”
“If you wish, my love.”
“I say we go out for a bite,” Antonio said, flashing his fangs. Katheryn heard the emphasis he placed on the word “bite” and knew exactly what it was he meant. She rolled her eyes in his direction.
“Always the playboy, Antonio,” she scolded. “You can never just get serious with one girl can you? You have to go and bite fifty of them at once.” Her disapproval dripped from every word.
He chuckled and nudged her with his elbow. “I’m not a one gal kind of guy, Katheryn. Don’t you know why?”
She shook her head in response.
“Because love bites,” he said and burst out laughing.
His words echoed Rosa’s from long time ago when they’d met at the bar.Love bites.It had, at the time, for Katheryn, but now it didn’t, not in the terrible, sad way, anyway.
For once in her life, Katheryn was happy. She had a great job, a husband who loved her and a baby on the way. Everything she’d gone through, everything she’d suffered had led her to this moment in time.
It had led her to happiness.
“Yeah, sure,” Katheryn giggled. “Love bites right now. Watch and see, later you’ll find your Soul Mate, I assure you.”
“Don’t poke fun, Katheryn.” Antonio warned, waggling his finger at her. “What if my Soul Mate ends up being baby Esmeralda?”
At this, Katheryn frowned. “Don’t you dare come near my baby,” she warned threateningly.
Ignacio looked confused. “Who’s Esmeralda?” he asked, causing Antonio to laugh and skip ahead, leaving them to follow.
“Wait, who’s Esmeralda?” Ignacio looked down at Katheryn.
She laughed and took her husband’s hand. “Antonio wants to name our daughter Esmeralda then get his filthy playboy paws on her.”
She pulled Ignacio forward to follow after Antonio.
Ignacio stopped and made a face. “He won’t get anywhere near our daughter, if I have any say in it.”
Katheryn laughed and followed Antonio into the night, relishing the feelings that branded her chest and reflected the smile on her face. Her life was finally her own, and Katheryn planned on making the most of it. She’d follow the path she set for herself with Ignacio by her side.
Katheryn leaned into her Soul Mate, feeling the way she felt every day she got to wake up by his side. She felt the comfort, the familiarity, the happiness. But most importantly of all...
Katheryn felt at home.
