Bending to press a kiss to her temple, I turn the knob and push open the door.
Tilly gasps, raising a hand to her mouth.
Every wall is lined with floor-to-ceiling bookcases. Through the large windows to the east and west, dappled sunshine lands on the wooden floor. In the middle of the room sits a loveseat.
“Oh my God.” She runs to the nearest shelf and traces the spines. “These are my favorite books.”
“I know.” After running a scan to ensure Kaden still sleeps, I shut the door. “Happy Birthday, Red.”
A tear drops from the corner of her eye. “This is the best birthday present ever.” She slips out a book and pages through it, sticking her nose inside and inhaling deeply. Placing the book back on the shelf, she turns to me. “Have you been collecting these when you go scavenging?”
I nod, giving her a grin. “I accessed the records from what you used to borrow from the library and snagged everything I could find.”
“Well, even though that’s kind of creepy, I can’t thank you enough.”
Swaggering to her, I cup her cheek. “You’re welcome.”
With a quick tug on her towel, she lets it fall to the floor, pooling at her feet. “Are you up for making more babies?” she asks with a coy flutter of her lashes.
In answer, I scoop her into my arms and carefully deposit her to the couch.
With a deep, happy laugh, she grips my towel, pulls it away, then grabs my hips to yank me on top of her.
Ecstasy and contentment swirl in my chest as I smile into our kiss.
“More babies are exactly what I want formybirthday,” I whisper as I worship her once more, knowing I’m the luckiest man in the universe for the love and home I’ve found.
****
TILLY AND JARETH AREa couple who I don’t think I can ever stop writing about, but like all good things, for now, their story is at an end. But don’t worry, they’ll pop up in the next duology I’ll be writing, which will start withThe Defiant, following Sissy Morgan and Lathan Rhys’ journey.
If you enjoyed this story, please consider giving it a rating and/or a review.
Also, if you’d like to keep up with what I’m doing and what I’m releasing, sign up for my newsletter atwww.melissariddell.com.
Thanks so much for your support. You have no idea how much it means to me!
-Melissa Riddell
September 6, 2021
****
FOLLOW ME ON THE BELOWsites:
www.facebook.com/melcriddell
www.twitter.com/MelCRiddell
www.instagram.com/averela
www.goodreads.com/melcriddell
www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-riddell
www.amazon.com/author/melissariddell
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMe1S8qCJ/
