We both want this so badly. I can feel it resonating between us like the hot pull of our first attraction, tangible and intense. We want our marriage to be a haven of warmth and pleasure again. We want our pure lustiness back, untainted by fear and mistrust. We want the unending spirals of bliss we can create only with each other. We want to shut the rest of the world out while locking ourselves in together. We want to be united
in this pregnancy and impending parenthood.
We’re going to have to read a lot of books,” I say.
“My life’s work involves reading books.”
“We’ll probably have to take some classes.”
“I’m at my best in a classroom.”
“And I hear we’ll need to buy a ton of stuff.”
“We can afford stuff.”
I look up into his chocolate-brown eyes.
“I just wish I knew where to start,” I whisper.
“Right here, beauty.” And he presses his lips to mine.
Hi, Dean,” Allie says breathlessly.
“Hey, Allie.” His voice is like hot water sliding over a polished floor. “How’s that boyfriend of yours treating you?”
Allie smiles, her face getting a little pink. “Really well, thanks.”
“Good.” Dean reaches out to give my long ponytail a gentle tug. “And how’s that husband of yours treating you, Liv?”
I meet his gaze, my heart thumping at the potent combi- nation of heat and tenderness in his eyes. “He does all right.”
“Guess he’d better work harder, huh?”
“Couldn’t hurt.”
“God, you two. Get a room.” Allie fans herself with a magazine and rolls her eyes.
So what are we, then?” I asked. “When someone asks who I am, what am I supposed to say?”
“You say, ‘Hi, I’m Liv, Dean’s very hot and sexy lady.’” I couldn’t smother a giggle. “Seriously.”
“Paramour?”
“No.”
“Cuddle bunny?”
“God, no.”
“Valentine? Sweetheart? Girlfriend?”
“Girlfriend.” I rested my forehead against his chest. “I guess.” “Not the best word, but it’ll do in public.” He kissed my
temple. “In private, you can just be my beauty.
Helen’s gaze flickers to Liv. “I’m Helen Morgan. Dean and I were once married.”
“I’m Olivia West,” Liv replies. “Dean and I are married.” The possessive tone in her voice does me some good.
Dean opened the glove compartment and took out a package of condoms.
“You keep condoms in there?” I asked.
“It is called the glove compartment,” he replied with a wink.
Do you want a baby?” I finally ask.
“No.”
My heart almost stops. “No?”
“I don’t want a baby.” Dean puts his hand on my belly, spreading his fingers out. “But I do want this baby. I want our baby.”
I smile, relief filling me like light. “Good, because that’s all I’ve got.
I knew I could be everything for him that he was for me. I could heal his wounds, be his anchor, treasure him. Together we could create our own world, one of warmth and affection, protected from the slings and arrows of the world.
For despite our differences, our struggles, our childhoods at opposite ends of the spectrum... Dean and I were the same.
Silence falls, pulsing with the truth of what I’ve learned and what Dean has yet to acknowledge. Our relationship, our love, cannot and will never be perfect. It will, however, always belong only to us in all its flawed, intense beauty. Perfect in its very imperfection.
Nina LaneThe allure, huh?”
“I’ve learned a few things about castle architecture over the years.” Liv wraps one arm around my waist. “The allure is a passage behind the parapet of a castle wall. Great for defense when the enemy is approaching. You know you’re safe on the allure.” She tucks her head beneath my chin, twining her hand with mine. “Like we’re safe with each other.”
“No doubt about it, beauty.” I press my face against her sweet-smelling hair. “You’ll always be my allure.
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