The Contract Marsh, Nicola (sad books to read txt) 📖

a grin. “No. You’ll get a big head. An even bigger one, that is.”

“How could we have been so stupid?”

He didn’t give her a chance to answer, kissing her with an intensity that took her breath away. She responded with all the love her heart and soul possessed.

“I’ve missed you,” Steve murmured as he drew Amber onto his lap and folded his arms around her, mentally vowing he would never let her go. He’d never known love could feel this good.

She wriggled against him and smirked. “I can see that.”

“Haven’t you done enough damage for one day? You’re no lightweight.”

She hit him in the chest, a cheeky grin spreading over her face. In response, he captured her hand and placed it over his heart.

“See? The damage you’ve done here is irreparable. It’ll never be the same again.” He leaned forward and rained gentle kisses on her nose, cheeks and mouth, saving the best for last as he nibbled on her delicious lips that had driven him crazy since the first time he saw her.

Tears misted her eyes as she drew his hand towards her protruding belly. “Same here, Hotshot.”

At that moment, he felt a strange squirming beneath his hand and Amber gasped. “Did you feel that?”

He nodded, the wonder of the moment leaving him speechless.

“The baby kicked. Isn’t that incredible?” Her eyes shone as her gaze flicked from his face to her belly and back again.

“Sure is, sweetheart. And so are you.” He kissed her again, wondering what their child would look like and hoping for a girl the spitting image of her mother.

A lone tear trickled down Amber’s cheek and plopped onto his hand as she leaned forward and rubbed noses with him. “I guess this means you’re ready to be a daddy?”

“What do you think?”

She cupped his cheek with her hand and gazed into his eyes. “I think you’re the greatest and I love you. Oh, and by the way, the tarot cards were right.”

He rolled his eyes. “I thought you burned them after we married? After all, didn’t they predict a tall, handsome stranger would walk into your life and sweep you off your feet? Surely once I appeared, you didn’t need them anymore?”

She shook her head, the fresh floral fragrance of her hair wrapping him in a sensual cocoon. “Why would I get rid of a fool-proof method of predicting the future?”

He cuddled her closer, loving every inch of her, quirky nature and all. “Well, as it happens, you have me for that now.”

Turning her hand over, he peered into her palm. “I see three kids—”

“Only three?”

He held up his other hand. “Quiet. Don’t disturb the master. I also see a man, an amazing man, incredibly handsome and a body to die for—”

“Please.”

“Who will provide you with a lifetime of happiness and love. There. Think I’m any good?”

She smiled, brushed a kiss over his lips and whispered against the corner of his mouth, “You’re the best.”

Epilogue

Steve and Amber barely made it, slipping into the back of the church in time to witness the christening of Jessica Kate Byrne. Their flight from Melbourne, where they’d been visiting his gran who was determinedly hanging onto life in order to see her first grandchild born, to Sydney hadn’t been the problem. Instead, Steve marvelled at his wife’s hormones, which hadn’t abated as she entered her eighth month of pregnancy. Her enthusiasm in the bedroom, or the kitchen, or the lounge, had almost resulted in them missing the plane. Not that he was complaining.

As the guests mingled in the gardens following the service, Steve approached Luke and tapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, Saunders. I think there’s someone you might like to meet.”

His friend, trying to chat up a stunning brunette, turned. “Look, just because you’re drowning in marital bliss, stop trying to set me up with--”

“Luke Saunders, meet Amber.” Steve paused for effect, enjoying the stunned expression on Luke’s face. “My wife.”

In a first, his friend seemed at a loss for words before the smoothest recovery of all time. “Pleased to meet you, Amber. Steve’s told me a lot about you.” He flashed her a killer smile, the same one Steve had seen him use on hundreds of gullible females before.

Amber had a slightly puzzled look on her face. “Have we met before?”

Steve almost choked at the priceless expression on Luke’s face, enjoying the rare spectacle of seeing the guy rattled.

Before his friend could respond, Matt and Kara Byrne approached.

Matt slapped him on the back. “Great to see you here, Rockwell. A shame you’ve been hiding your lovely wife from us.” He turned to wink at Amber. “I’m Matt and this gorgeous woman is my wife Kara.”

Amber smiled. “I’ve heard a lot about you. And congratulations. Jessica is beautiful.”

Matt grinned. “Takes after her mother, thank goodness.”

Kara rolled her eyes and linked arms with Amber. “Come and help me with the drinks, Amber. There’s too much testosterone around here.”

The women drifted off, leaving the three top lawyers at Byrne and Associates alone.

Matt thumped Steve on the arm. “You sly, old dog. You didn’t tell me she was that stunning.”

“I’m surprised Saunders didn’t fill you in.”

Steve glared meaningfully at Luke, enjoying his friend’s discomfort. Though he’d forgiven him for the remarks he’d made about Amber, Steve wouldn’t let him forget.

“Huh? What did I miss?” Matt’s head swivelled between them. “Come on, fellas, don’t hold out on me.”

Luke shuffled his feet and looked down at the ground, fascinated by two ants racing each other on a blade of grass. “You’re a jerk, Rockwell.”

Steve grinned. “Go on, Saunders. Why don’t you tell Byrne how you thought my wife was a