February Waltz (Rhythm of the Heart Book 3) (13 page)

Zoe placed a sweetly sleeping Violet in her crib and stood there for a moment, stroking her dark curls away from her forehead. Violet was six weeks old now and in those six weeks she had filled out her tiny frame.

Thanks to the shot she had received before her surgery, her lungs had been fairly developed and she had only stayed in the NICU for a few days before coming home. Violet was already spoiled beyond words by everyone in the house. Pops had been found with “allergies” many times holding her and Grams spent hours making things for her.

Zoe touched her daughter's cheek again and turned at the sound of the door creaking open. Calvin stepped inside with a smile. “Is she finally asleep?” he whispered.

Zoe nodded and held out her hand. He joined her beside the crib and their hands intertwined. “It took a little while,” she admitted. “I think everyone is spoiling her, holding her so much.”

“Probably, but it was so hard getting her here, we all just want to savor the time we have.” He reached into the crib and ran a fingertip over Violet's cheek. Her perfect rosebud mouth puckered and her head turned as if seeking sustenance.

Zoe slid her arms around him and pressed a kiss to the column of his neck. “You know,” she started softly. “It's been six weeks and Dr. Crist said we would be pretty safe to consummate our reunion.”

Calvin kissed her lips and pulled away. “I do believe Grams and Pops are down the hall engrossed in Matlock... If we're quiet I think we could have some peace.”

“Don't worry, I had Corey install a lock on the door,” Zoe breathed as she stepped forward to kiss him again.

“Good thing. I have a feeling we will be using it often.”

They eased out of their daughter's room and down the hall to their bedroom. Calvin slid the door closed and threw the lock.

Zoe reached for the hem of her pale pink top and pulled it over her head. She let the material dangle from her fingers for a moment before dropping it to the floor. “I hope you don't mind my body.”

Calvin chuckled. “You carried my baby. You have never been more beautiful, Zoe.”

She glanced up at him with wide, soft eyes. “I have missed you.”

“Well, I'm home now, aren't I?” He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her in tight.

“For good. I'm so glad the job for the county worked out.” She kissed his neck again.

“Tim pulled some strings. Plus it didn't hurt having a famous wife who brought tourism back to Major.” Calvin kissed her gently. “But we are talking too much. We better make use of the quiet.”

Zoe kissed him again. “Let's.” She gripped his shirt and pulled it over his shoulders. Their movements became frantic as their clothing fell.

Zoe shivered as Calvin slid his hands slowly over her skin, worshiping every inch of flesh. “You're beautiful,” he whispered again.

“Come to bed with me...”

They lay together on the bed and kissed again, their mouths melding and clinging to each other. Calvin held her wrists firmly above her head and he nibbled down her neck, eliciting murmurs and gasps from her throat as she lost herself.

He stroked her breasts with his spare hand and her nipples pebbled in the cool of the dusky room. His mouth followed his hands and he swirled his tongue around the pebbled peaks.

“Love me,” she urged him.

“I do. I will. Forever.” He promised, his sultry look barely perceptible in the darkening room.

Zoe twisted her wrists free from his grasp and in a smooth motion pushed him on his back. “It's my turn.”

Calvin pouted. “I wasn't quite done.”

“I've just started.” Her mouth skated over the thundering pulse in his throat and he sighed in pleasure. Her mouth traced down his pec and with a languorous stroke she licked his flat nipple. Moving further down his body she kissed his firm stomach and grasped his firm, heavy dick in her hand.

He hissed. “That feels good.”

“This will feel better,” she assured him as her breath warmed the head of his shaft.

“Zoe...” he groaned out, his voice hoarse as she took him into her mouth and swirled her tongue around the very tip. His moan became guttural nonsense as she took him completely. She pleasured him until his fists clenched in the sheets and he growled, “Enough.”

With an audible pop, she released him. “Oh?” She squeaked when he pushed her flat on her back and came between her legs. His fingers came to her heated core and he circled her clit lazily.

“Paybacks are a bitch, my beautiful wife.” He arched forward with his hips and the very tip of his dick slipped into her heated sheath. “Dr. Crist said that shot would work from day one, right?” He inched forward again.

Zoe panted and her back arched. “God yes, he said it was good.”

Calvin smirked and tweaked her throbbing clit as he inched deeper inside her warm, welcoming heat. “Is it good, baby?”

Her hips bucked up to meet him and she impaled herself on his shaft. Her head fell back and her mouth opened on a low moan. “You know it is, Calvin.” She twined her arms around his neck and whispered, “Don't tease me.”

Calvin pressed his thumb against her clit and circled the button of flesh quickly. Zoe lost control as the sensation overtook her. Calvin kissed her as she cried out, swallowing her screams of pleasure. He came over her and slipped deep into her while the throes of orgasm still quaked her walls.

His mouth claimed hers and he rocked deep, pulling out to the very tip and then pushing back in. Zoe wrapped her legs around his waist and held on. Pleasure eddied and flowed between them and Zoe bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out as she came again. Calvin followed behind her, his head thrown back and a low moan escaping his throat.

At that moment Violet started to cry.

“Ahh, and the moment is over,” Calvin chuckled. “I'll throw my clothes back on. You go wash up and take a shower by yourself. I think you deserve it, being mommy of the year and all.”

Zoe grinned and blew out a breath. “Why do I see us having lots of quickies in the future?”

“Such is the life of a parent,” Calvin remarked, as he jerked his jeans back on. “But it's worth it.”

“Yes, it is,” Zoe agreed as he walked out of the room. She slid from the bed and pulled her robe around her body. Peeking into the hallway she darted to the bathroom and started the shower. Hot water beat down on her body and she luxuriated in the simple pleasure of washing her hair in peace. Grams had been a great help but a long shower was a rare thing. She sprayed shaving gel on her legs and whisked away three weeks of growth as the water cooled.

Finally wrinkled and completely clean, she stepped out and dried herself. She wrapped back up in the robe and tiptoed across the hallway to their bedroom. It was empty. She moved down the hallway and looked in the nursery. Calvin sat in the rocking chair, shirtless and sound asleep with baby Violet snuggled up on his chest. Zoe leaned against the doorjamb.

My life is perfect.

“I can't believe you are getting married, Layla,” Zoe sighed. “It seems like not so long ago I was walking down the aisle.”

Layla glanced up at her and grinned. “Ah, it hasn't been that long, Zoe. Only three years.” She looked back at the mirror and wiped away a stray bit of eye shadow from her cheek.

“You are a beautiful bride.”

“Thank you.” Layla swiveled on the chair and reached out a finger and poked Zoe's belly. “So, when were you going to tell everyone?”

Zoe blushed hot and skimmed a hand down the chartreuse silk of the bridesmaid's dress. “It fit fine a few weeks ago. I just found out yesterday.”

“Did you tell Calvin yet?”

“No,” Zoe admitted. “I didn't. But he will know in this dress.”

“Well, I for one, am ready for another niece or nephew. I can't believe how ridiculously cute Vi looks in her flower girl dress!” Layla beamed.

Zoe smiled. “She's beautiful.”

“Yup, just like her Auntie Lay-Lay!”

Zoe snorted. “Sure, whatever gets you through the day.”

“It's my wedding day. I get what I want.”

Zoe reached forward to smooth the flowers in Layla's hair. “I am happy for you.”

“I am happy for us. You know, I thought once upon a time you were the worst thing that ever happened to my brother, but turns out you brought him home and you saved this town. Without your book, none of this would have happened. Hell, I hope you know I'm still angling to play myself in the movie adaptation. Or at least get someone that fits all my hotness. I am thinking maybe Zoe Saldana would work.” Layla smirked.

Zoe shook her head. “I never would have believed that the Poppy Monroe series would take off like it did.”

“Me either. But I guess after all the bad things that happened, you finally got your happy ending.” Layla stood and shook out her full white gown. “Now, it's time for me to have mine.”

Zoe followed her out into the front of the church. Pops stood ready to take Layla down the aisle. “After you, Zoe,” he smiled.

Zoe stepped into the aisle and followed the haphazard trail of flower petals Vi had strewn. Her eyes locked with Calvin's and she floated toward him.
Just like the first time.
His eyes dropped to her belly and his mouth fell open. Zoe grinned and winked.

She cried as Layla and Tim spoke their vows. Violet gripped her dress and shook it hard. “Why Momma cryin'?” she yelled and Zoe bent to scoop her into her arms.

“Shh, Vi. Momma is crying because Momma has everything she could ever want, and Momma's heart is so big and full, if it went boom, I think the whole world would know.”

Violet squirmed in her arms and planted a big kiss on her cheek. “Vi'let happy too.”

Everyone giggled at Violet's outburst and Tim cupped Layla's face in his big hands. They kissed slowly and were pronounced man and wife.

Zoe took her husband's hand as they walked down the aisle out into the sunshine behind the happy newlyweds.

“So, when were you going to tell me?” Calvin nudged her side.

“I found out yesterday. Dr. Crist says I'm about eight weeks.”

Calvin squeezed her hand. “I couldn't be happier.”

“Me either.”

Later that evening at the reception held in the backyard, Zoe sat and watched Violet play in a pile of leaves. She had changed her out of the thin flower girl dress, the afternoon had turned cool. Violet babbled to the tree as she twirled, sunlight glinting off her hair. Calvin sat down beside Zoe on the porch.

Amy's son, D.J. pulled the end of Violet's hair as she spun. “Look,” Calvin pointed. “Young love.”

Zoe laughed and leaned her head against his shoulder. “I remember you said something once, Calvin. You said that love is simple, love is pure, and love just is. It took me some time to come to the realization that you were right. There is no rhyme or reason to love. You just do it. Until you think you can't do it anymore, and your heart magically grows so you can do it some more.”

Calvin chuckled. “I'm glad you finally admit I'm right.”

“Don't go getting cocky.” She swatted his thigh.

“Oh, I plan on doing that later.” He caught her chin and pulled her in for a kiss and Zoe savored the thrill that coursed through her.

The happy ending she always wanted had come to life. It was better than any fairy tale she could write.

The End … For Now

About the Author

Scarlett Jade
is just a small town Southern girl who is now a Northern transplant. She was always found from a young age with her brow furrowed, scribbling words on paper. Now that she is grown, life isn't much different, she still scribbles words, but mostly on the computer! She is married to the man of her dreams, her real life knight in shining armor and Prince Charming. She has one son who is the apple of her eye and she homeschools year round. You can typically find her playing in the dirt with her son or snuggled on the couch with her dog Peanut, reading a good book. She loves chocolate, thinks coffee should be a religion, and loves to make people laugh with her quirky sense of humor. She is bold, brazen, and even been told she's ballsy, but she doesn't mind, she takes it in stride. She has a huge passion for all things paranormal and has a penchant for spicy love stories that leave you turning the pages and dying to slide between the sheets of her next book! She loves to talk to her fans and hear what they thought of her work.

Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1jrtKw6

Twitter:
http://bit.ly/TREUp6

Google+:
http://bit.ly/1tLUlvp

Blog:
http://bit.ly/1jZ8nXo

Email:
[email protected]

Other works by Scarlett:

Just a Little Taste – Paranormal Romance

Love at First Bite:

http://amzn.com/B00LZFHIDQ

Once Bitten, Twice Shy:

http://amzn.com/B00MEHNB08