I ran my palm over my son’s hair. When he barely noticed, I leaned down and gave him a kiss. My senses were filled with the scent of baby shampoo and lotion. It was something Jane had done for Charli when she was young, and now my wife insisted on nightly baths with head-to-toe lotion. It had gone on for all of their lives. At this point, it was almost as if the children couldn’t sleep without it.
Closing Dominic’s door, we moved farther down the hall to Angelina’s room. Her lilac walls glowed by the light of her nightlight. I stifled a giggle as Charli began to move Angi’s menagerie of stuffed animals until she uncovered our daughter. I wasn’t sure how our little girl slept with all of those friends in her bed. However, from experience, I could attest that if even one were missing, the entire household was on alert until the search-and-rescue mission was complete.
No one slept until the wayward animal was found and safely returned to her bed.
The image I’d had of Charli was there before us, shrunk to pint-sized form, as we stood above Angi’s bed. Long auburn curls fanned over her pillow and her small mouth was drawn to a bow as she slept. Again, I ran my hand over her hair and leaned down to give her a kiss.
“Daddy?” she said, rolling toward us.
“Yes, princess. I’m home.”
“Good. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Go back to sleep.”
“All right.”
Charli and I stood for a moment in complete quiet, both undoubtedly saying silent prayers that our daughter would do as she was told and go back to sleep. When she remained still, Charli and I made our way back to the hallway. As soon as I closed the door, Charli shook her head and leaned against my chest.
“I guarantee she won’t remember that in the morning. If she were really awake, that would not have gone as well.”
I puffed my chest. “Even in her sleep she loves her daddy.”
Charli reached for my hand. “Now, Mr. Demetri, come with me. It’s my turn to love her daddy.”
My smile grew as we made our way down the hall and back to our room.
Taking off my jacket and throwing it to a chair, I said, “Beautiful, I know it’s late, but could I convince you to wait up for me while I take a quick shower?”
Charli leaned against the wall and crossed her arms over her breasts. Her gaze sparkled as she watched me undress. “I think my answer is no.”
I stopped in motion as I removed my shirt over my shoulders. “No?”
She nodded with a grin. “No.”
“You won’t stay awake?”
She reached for the sash of her robe, untying the tether and releasing the satin, revealing that underneath she was as I had imagined—every inch of my wife, my princess, at my disposal. “I won’t wait.” She stepped forward, allowing the white robe to float to the floor as she reached for my belt. Her hand stilled on the buckle—the one with a silver swirl—as she looked up at me. “I’ve always been partial to this belt.”
Fuck!
“Princess, you’re playing with fire.”
“After all these years, haven’t you noticed? I like to be burnt.”
Minutes later, mist filled the air within the shower as warm spray peppered our skin. As the water flattened her hair and covered mine, I took her in my arms, pulling her close. She was as stunning as the day we met. “Have I told you that on the day I first saw you in Del Mar, it was as if the stars had aligned?”
Her smile grew. “You have. And I felt the same way. Like the world—no, the universe—wouldn’t be right if we weren’t together.”
“I never knew I could love someone again. You’re my whole world. I hate leaving you and the kids for work.”
Charli shook her head. “I understand. I’m pretty busy here, and I’m all right with that.” She took a step back. “Are you?”
“Am I all right with your being here with the kids and working in legal? Of course. I’m all right with your doing whatever makes you happy. I would just like to be the one doing it with you.”
“And you are.” She reached for my hand and placed it on her flat stomach. “I wasn’t sure how to tell you...”
My eyes widened as I fell to my knees on the floor of our shower. After peppering her stomach with soft kisses, I looked up. “You’re...?”
She nodded as her eyes grew glassy. “We’re.”
I tugged her toward me, caressing and kissing. It was as her head fell backward that I stood. “You’re absolutely sure?”
“I am. I went to the doctor today.”
“I love you.”
She wrapped her arms around my waist. “I love you, too.”
My grin quirked upward. “Maybe we should keep trying? I mean, I want to be confident.”
“Oh, Nox. I’m good with continuing to try, but lack of confidence has never been your problem.”
Some call it cocky.
As my wife and I became one in the warm shower and again in our large bed, I didn’t care what it was called. I was home with my family, the moon shining outside, and the stars perfectly aligned.
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If you haven’t read the Infidelity series, I promise you many twists and turns in this six-book saga before reaching this point. Don’t miss the “...sexy suspense saga that will leave you hot, bothered, and begging for more.” ~ Redbook magazine.
About the Author
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of over thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!
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Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand-alone thrillers continue Aleatha's twisted style with an increase in heat.
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In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved headfirst into the world of dark romantic suspense saga with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five-novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.
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In the spring of 2017, Aleatha released her first stand-alone, fun, and sexy romantic comedy PLUS ONE, followed by ONE NIGHT, A SECRET ONE, and ANOTHER ONE.
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Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
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Also by Aleatha Romig
ALEATHA’S LIGHTER ONES
Stand-alone “lighter” romances PLUS ONE
A SECRET ONE
ONE NIGHT
INFIDELITY SERIES:
BETRAYAL
Book #1
(October 2015)
CUNNING
Book #2
(January 2016)
DECEPTION
Book #3
(May 2016)
ENTRAPMENT
Book #4
(September 2016)
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FIDELITY
Book #5
(January 2017)
RESPECT: A stand-alone Infidelity novel (January 2018)
THE CONSEQUENCES SERIES: CONSEQUENCES
(Book #1)
Released August 2011
TRUTH
(Book #2)
Released October 2012
CONVICTED
(Book #3)
Released October 2013
REVEALED
(Book #4)
Previously titled: Behind His Eyes Convicted: The Missing Years Re-released June 2014
BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES
(Book #5)
Released January 2015
RIPPLES
A Consequences stand-alone novel Released October 2017
COMPANION READS: BEHIND HIS EYES—CONSEQUENCES: (Book #1.5) Released January 2014
BEHIND HIS EYES—TRUTH
(Book #2.5)
Released March 2014
THE LIGHT SERIES: Published through Thomas and Mercer INTO THE LIGHT
(June 14, 2016)
AWAY FROM THE DARK
(October 2016)
TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE SERIES: INSIDIOUS
(All books in this series are stand-alone erotic thrillers) Released October 2014
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