Three months later
Sitting on the blanket, I leaned my head against Steed’s chest as we looked out at the Atlantic Ocean. So much had changed since we got married. The main thing was my job. After Mr. Hines found out I was pregnant, I thought for sure he would fire me. But with Steed and I getting married over Christmas, the news of me being pregnant didn’t seem to be an issue anymore. Even though it was obvious I had conceived before the wedding, Mr. Hines choose to ignore that little fact. Maybe our little town was growing with the times?
I was pulled from my thoughts by Steed’s hands, caressing the small baby bump that had popped out in the last few weeks. Last month we had the sonogram that told us the sex of our baby. I wasn’t going to lie; we both breathed a sigh of relief to know we were only having one. Although, Chloe thought twins would have been super fun.
For her.
“How’s my son doing today?” Steed asked, his hot breath trailing down my neck and giving me a warm sensation against the cold breeze coming off the Atlantic.
“He’s doing good. I think I’m finally past the morning sickness. Thank God.”
Steed’s soft lips kissed my neck, shooting a throbbing pain between my legs.
“Mmm… If you keep doing that, I’m going to need some relief.”
A low growl came from his throat.
“Fucking hell, Pax. My dick is rock-hard now.”
I laughed. “Well, we have time before dinner.”
We were sitting outside the breathtaking little house we had rented for the week. It had been cold in Ireland, but not too cold. During the nights it got colder, but we didn’t care. We had been too busy in bed heating things up to notice how cold it was outside. The days had warmed nicely and had actually gotten up into the high fifties. For us, it was beautiful weather coming from an already hot Texas.
“Shall we go inside?” he asked.
Nodding, I pushed off him and waited for him to stand and offer me his hand. That was Steed. So considerate and kind. He always put me and Chloe first, no matter what he did.
After he lifted me up and slid his arm around my waist, we started to walk into the house. The same warmth I’d come to expect settled within my chest. My body tingled with the knowledge my husband was about to make love to me. Nothing else on earth was more amazing than Steed and me together.
He led me into the bedroom and flashed me those dimples, making my knees go weak. He gently brushed the back of his hand down my cheek and my body trembled. Other woman craved food during pregnancy, I craved my husband’s touch. It both thrilled me and calmed me at once.
“You look beautiful, Pax,” he whispered while his eyes roamed my face. The intensity caused my lower stomach to pull, and at the same time, my heart to melt at his sweet words.
My hair had been in a pony to keep the wind from lashing it around, but I was sure it was a crazy mess nonetheless. I didn’t have an ounce of makeup on. We’d been lazy that day and decided not to sightsee but to enjoy the amazing ocean view we had instead. I’d thrown on Steed’s sweat pants and one of his sweatshirts that hung off of me. At best, I probably looked like I had just woken up from a good night’s sleep.
“I’m a mess,” I stated with a chuckle.
He shook his head. “I’ve never seen you look more beautiful. Your wind tossed hair and flushed cheeks… I could stare at you all day and never get tired of the view.”
My stomach dipped. “How do you do it?” I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“Do what?”
“Make me feel like I’m the most beautiful woman in the world.”
He looked at me like I had said the craziest thing ever, but it was true. Steed had a way of making both me and our daughter feel like we were his everything. The very air he breathed. The last few months were the best of my life. Steed worked the ranch during the day with his father and Cord, and the moment Chloe and I pulled up from school, he was there, wearing a smile and waiting to dish out amazing hugs and kisses for both of us.
I soon found myself giddy with excitement as we drove down the long drive to the house, wondering what surprise he would have in store for us. For Chloe, it was always something with the animals. A new book, or piggyback ride where he acted like a stallion. For me, it was something as simple as a single rose and a kiss, to a heart shaped locket with our family portrait in it. Each day he offered us something.
He spoiled us with love, and I couldn’t imagine I could be any happier.
“Pax, you are the most beautiful woman in the world.”
My eyes filled with tears as I realized that every day this man made me feel special. That my happiness grew each time he smiled at me, kissed me, held me in his arms, or whispered how much he loved me.
I loved this man more than I loved anything. He was the reason I breathed.
“Make love to me, Steed,” I softly spoke as he slipped his hand around my neck and pulled my lips to his.
“It would be my pleasure.”