Page 103 of Seductive Scoundrel

The last yearhas been a marvel. From moving in together to getting to know each other’s families to – this.

I stare at the full-length mirror in the bridal shop, admiring my dress. It’s everything I could have imagined, and so much more. Dean spared no expense for our upcoming wedding because he said that he wants to give me the world.

But he already has and none of it had a price tag.

“What did Dean say?”

I look over at Bianca, my maid of honor. This past year has been a whirlwind for us, too. Spending countless hours together planning the rescue shelters cemented our friendship and brought our families even closer together.

“What did he say about what?” I ask, admiring her sapphire dress. The deep color brings out her eyes. My sister will be wearing emerald and my best friend from college will be dressed in ruby. We went with jewel tones for our wedding colors and I love it.

“The baby.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, my eyes back on the mirror as my hands run over my belly. “I don’t look pregnant. Do I?”

Bianca’s laughter floats between us. “Not at all. But you haven’t stopped touching your stomach – for days.”

“Oh my god, I’m so excited! I did a home test, but went to see the doctor and got my official results back this morning. The baby is due in July.”

Bianca wraps me in a warm hug. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you both. Have you told Dean yet, or are you waiting until he gets home?”

Both Dean and Dex have been in Germany for the past week brokering a deal for a new security system that Montague developed. “I don’t want to tell him long distance. But not telling him has been beyond painful. I went up to a stranger today and told him that I’m pregnant. Freaked him out a bit, but I had to tell someone. I’m dying.”

Bianca laughs so hard she snorts. “Are you serious? You told some guy that you’re pregnant?”

I hold up two fingers.

“You told two random strangers that you’re pregnant?” she asks in between laughing fits.

“They both kinda look like Dean, and I didn’t want to tell anyone I actually know before I tell him. That doesn’t seem right. But I was going to explode with excitement – so I had to tell someone.”

“That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard and I understand. Waiting for Dex to get home after I found out was agony, and that was only a few hours. I don’t know how you’ve managed to wait days. By the way, I don’t count. I guessed you were pregnant.”

“Oh, crap! That’s right, you know before Dean. Don’t say anything to Dex, okay?”

“I won’t. This is your news to share. I’m so excited for you both. Dean is going to be over the moon. A dreamy wedding in Fiji and a baby, how perfect!”

It wasn’t an accident that Dean chose my safe word as our wedding destination, and it’s a secret just between the two of us.

I can’t freaking wait.

* * *

Time drags painfullyas I wait for Dean to come out of the airport. I check my watch eighteen times, convinced that it’s stopped moving. I was supposed to meet him at home, but couldn’t wait any longer. Instead, I hopped in the car and went with Robert to pick him up.

This will be his first surprise of the night.

“Thanks, Robert,” Dean says as our driver – who has turned into my surrogate New York dad at this point – opens the back door. A huge smile grows on his face as soon as he sees me. “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”

“Hiya, stranger,” I greet, anticipation building inside me like lava in a volcano.

“Hello, my fiancé,” he returns, sliding across the leather seat towards me. “I can’t wait to call you my wife.”

“Just two more weeks!”

Our lips meet in a hungry kiss, and I’m sure that no matter how many years we’re lucky enough to have together, I will never get enough of him. I didn’t think it was possible to love someone as much as I love him.

His hands are all over me, and he finds my next surprise earlier than I planned. “What’s this?” he asks, pulling a small wrapped package from my pocket.

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