Briggs (Carolina Reapers 7)

“Not a new line,” I said, my head spinning from his touch. A year later and I still couldn’t get enough of this man.

“So, just for me then?” His lips brushed over mine, then down the line of my jaw and to my neck.

I leaned back slightly, my hands fisting his shirt as he teased me. “Yes and no,” I said, and he leaned back enough to meet my eyes.

“Duchess?”

Emotions built and built in my throat, but I managed to shrug and say, “I just wanted to wear this,” I said. “Because I won’t be able to fit into it soon.”

Cormac went absolutely still, his eyes widening as his head titled. “Bristol,” he said, but it sounded like a question.

I shifted, guiding his hands to my still-flat belly.

“Bristol?” he asked, his tone rising.

“How opposed are you to me calling you Daddy?”

His lips parted, a gasp rasping from them. “I’m going to be Daddy?”

I nodded, tears in my eyes.

“Duchess!” He slanted his mouth over mine, consuming me in a kiss that branded itself all the way down to my soul. He tore his lips away, instantly dropping to his knees to bring his face eye-level with my tummy. “Hi, baby,” he said, and my heart melted.

I tangled my fingers in his hair. “Are you happy?”

He glanced up at me, planting a kiss on my tummy before standing again. “Are you kidding?” He slid his arms around me. “I’ve never been happier. Are you happy?”

I nodded, unable to speak around the love in my throat.

Cormac smirked, sweeping an arm behind my knees and cradling me to his chest.

“What are you doing?” I giggled as he walked us toward our bedroom.

“Thanking you,” he said, gently laying me on the bed.

“For what?” I asked, breathless.

“For coming into my life. For completing it in a way I didn’t know I needed. For being…my everything.”

I pressed my lips together, smiling up at him. “I love you, Cormac,” I said.

He trailed a finger over my jaw, down my neck, until he settled his hand over my heart. “I love you,” he said. “Always.” He sealed his words with a kiss, and proceeded to worship me for the first hour in our new happily ever after.

THE END