“I’m not going to risk it. I’m going to stay put right here until we’ve given our bodies some time to make magic happen. You want a baby; I’m going to do whatever it takes to put one in you.”
“Okay, but...” She’s breathy. “If you keep doing that, I’m going to need you to give me more.”
My cock twitches, more than ready to give her what she wants. With the rush of my pulse and the lazy river in my ears, I fuse our mouths in a lingering kiss while I drive her up onto that summit she likes so much.
This time when we’re done, I ease out of her and make my way down her body. I press my lips to her belly. “You have onemission. Give my love everything her heart desires. Swim hard, boys.”
She touches my shoulder. “A pep talk, huh?”
I scoop up the fluid leaking from her pussy and carefully stuff it back inside. “Whatever it takes to get you pregnant.”
“I love you.” She stares at me in that way that makes me feel like I’m a God. “I hope we’re starting our little family right now.”
“Me too.” I rise to my feet before helping her to hers. Picking up our clothes, I shake out the sand before handing hers over.
When we’re dressed, I run my hands over her hair, removing sand and snaggles and bits of grass. This momentary lull in all the planning and crazy is almost unbearable to leave.
I could move here. To this bit of paradise in the middle of nowhere. If it meant every day was like this one. But that’s not what Ivy wants. My life has been big for years now. She’s starting to find her path, and she has much to accomplish. Encouraging her and supporting her... that’s where our paradise lies. In the moments. In the fights and the sadness and the triumphs and the joys. “I think I want to buy a ranch.”
“You want to buy a ranch?”
“Somewhere we can escape to when the city gets to be too much. Somewhere we can keep the horses.”
“Horses?” She looks up at me, her gaze wide.
“Well.” I take her hand as we start back toward the others. “Yours, of course. And I’ll need one too so we can ride together. Then there’ll be one for each of the kids, because I’m betting on twins.”
“That’s not how it works, is it? We might not have twins.”
“Then we’ll have Irish twins. Or we’ll have another when you’re ready.”
“Or more. I want a big family.” She rests her hand over her belly, a hopeful expression on her face.
“So lots of horses then. We’ll need a stable.” I pick her up to help her up the steps nature has hewn in the slate. “A ranch makes sense.”
“It does. In Kansas? Or somewhere closer to L.A.?”
“We should have a look at what’s available. I’ll hire an agent to help.” We fall quiet as we continue along the river. Her cheeks are kissed by the sun and sex.
I used to believe it wasn’t possible to love someone as much as I love her. Now I know it’s rare, and I’m luckier than any man has the right to be. How do I encompass everything I feel and everything I want to do for her in a few short sentences?
“You’re back to thinking,” she says.
“Huh?” I’ve still got time. The rest of today and tomorrow. I’ll get these vows right. “Would Adira let you ride a horse to the ceremony? Besides the fact that he’s walking you down the aisle he’s quite... shall we say... organized.”
I’m not sure the queen would be impressed with a change like that this close to the event. Even at the bride’s whim.
She purses her lips, a dent appearing between her brows. “He does have everything organized.”
A rattling noise alerts me to the snake.
Diamond stripes run down the length of it, the rattle on its tail a warning that we’ve come too close.
I yank Ivy back before she can step on it. Encompassing her with both arms as I lift her off her feet and give the snake a whole lot of space.
“You’re always going to find trouble, aren’t you?” My pulse is racing, adrenaline shooting around my body. She could have been bitten. Will this fear of losing her ever go away?
Davis rushes forward, hand on his firearm, ending our moment alone by reminding us of his presence.
