Page 82 of Rebel Heart
I woke up with a smile on my face and warmth flooding my body. Also, there was the warmth that was cuddled up beside me.
Married.
I was married.
And it was only because of the woman sleeping beside me—my wife—that I’d been able and eager to do it at all.
There was a time when I would’ve balked at the idea of all that was happening. I would’ve vehemently denied ever wanting to experience any of this.
But now, after the initial shock of learning about Julesbeing pregnant wore off, it was like I’d been granted one great day after another. The last one being the best yet.
On my side, I propped my head in my hand and looked down at her, at the ring sitting at the base of her finger. The last-minute purchase hadn’t felt like quite enough, and yet, Jules was adamant about not replacing it.
I never thought something so simple as a delicate wedding band could ever hold such meaning. But seeing it resting there on her finger, knowing it matched the one on my own as symbols of the dedication we had to one another, that meaning couldn’t be ignored.
This woman was spectacular. She was everything I never knew I wanted to have in my life, and now, she was mine forever.
It seemed impossible that life could get any better than this.
But it would.
Even after all the celebrating we’d done last night—I’d taken the time to order in, so we could eat, but that was only a minor deterrence—there was still more to come.
Today, we’d have more to celebrate. Today, we’d get the first look at our baby.
And for a guy who never wanted any of this, I could confidently say I was beyond ready for whatever additional joy this day would bring. I was thrilled and ready for every part of it.
Gently, I picked up her hand and kissed her fingers, her knuckles. I’d spent a lot of time from the momentwe returned here yesterday trying to make up for the lost time, but it didn’t feel like I’d had enough. The desire to have her over and over again hadn’t faded. Not even a little. Last night had been just enough to take the edge off that constant, ever-mounting need.
But that need was outweighed by something else. No matter how much I wanted to bury myself between her legs and get lost completely in her, I was more concerned about her physical well-being. As exhausted as she’d been over the last couple of weeks, I suspected that yesterday had taken a lot out of her.
My lips moved from the back of her hand and down toward the inner part of her wrist.
“Is this how my husband intends to wake me up every morning?”
That sleepy voice held a deep rasp that had my body clenching. My eyes drifted to her sparkling ones. The sight and sound of her first thing in the morning stole my breath. It was my new favorite thing.
“Would you like that?” I asked. “Does my wife want to be woken every morning with kisses and affection?”
She hummed, her eyes drifting shut with either delight or exhaustion. “It’s awfully tempting. But I might not be able to keep up with you.”
Exhaustion, then.
“There’s nothing you’ll need to do, angel. I’ll do all the work.”
Her eyes shot open. “Angel?”
“That’s what caught your attention?”
“Where did that come from?”
I chuckled. “It just sort of slipped out. Do you not like it?”
Jules linked her fingers with mine as a slow smile spread across her face. “I like it. For moments like this, it’s sweet, and I like it. Why angel?”
“I don’t know. It just feels like it fits. Because in many ways, you’re like my very own angel. But also, because for a woman who has this rebellious side, I don’t want to forget the softer, sweeter side.”
She tucked her chin down and smiled at me. Definitely sweet like an angel.
