Page 61 of Wicked Little Secret

“It’s okay. I know it’s just biology.”

“No, sweetheart,” he growled as his hand caressed her belly over her blouse. “It’s chemistry.”

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Olivia

It was a testament to how tired she really was that she was able to doze off after that.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Olivia

Her breath hitched when she caught sight of Maverick waiting by the Christmas tree in the huge family room with the soaring ceiling and wall of windows facing the snow-covered back yard. It was a picture-perfect scene.

And the man could rock a tux like nobody’s business.

His eyes twinkled when their gaze locked, a small smile on his lips as she walked down the short aisle to where he was waiting for her.

“You’re stunning,” he murmured in her ear as he took her hand.

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” she whispered back.

She found herself smiling as they turned to face the officiant.

Thankfully, the ceremony moved quickly, and when it got to the part where they were supposed to exchange rings, she panicked. She hadn’t gotten him a ring!

He must have sensed her dismay because he winked at her and mouthed, “I’ve got it.”

Of course he did.

Reciting, “With this ring, I thee wed,” he slid a platinum eternity band on her finger. It was simple and sophisticated, and would be perfect to wear to work.

Except I’m not going to still be married when I go back to work, she reminded herself.

Then he put an oval diamond ring on her finger that almost blinded her. It had to be three carats, easy. And while it was completely impractical, she had to admit it was stunning.

“It’s beautiful,” she said quietly.

He winked at her with a soft smile, then fished a platinum band from his pocket and handed it to her to put on his finger, addressing the crowd as he did.

“She took care of the baby, I did the ring shopping.”

That elicited a low laugh before she also repeated, “With this ring, I thee wed,” and put the band on his left ring finger.

Thank goodness they hadn’t said anything about the rings being a symbol of their love for one another. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to handle hearing him lie.

Loving their kid wasn’t the same as loving each other. Sure, they liked one another, but unfortunately, that was soon going to change.

He just didn’t know it yet.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Maverick

Their house was joyously busy on Christmas Day.

His mom made a huge breakfast, and his older boys appeared at the table with bedhead, wearing pajama pants and sweatshirts with the word NAVY written across them.

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