Heaven in Hedonism (The Sinful Series Book 3) (19 page)

Mac didn’t even flinch. “Nope. I took a quiz. She was a perfect match for our lifestyle.”

Our lifestyle
. I shivered. “You took a quiz. I don’t believe in them. I don’t believe in perfect matches.” I crossed my arms over my chest as I stepped away from the kennel.

Standing up, Mac moved to my side. His hands were on my biceps as he spoke. “Look at us. How can you say that? I know for a fact we are perfect for each other. No quiz needed.”

Making a face, I rolled my eyes. “How can you say that? We fight all the time.”

Smiling at me, he explained, “We have strong personalities and challenge each other.”

I frowned. “We have nothing in common.”

Letting go of me, he prepared to tick off his list. “Are you kidding me? We love Mini Coopers, we share the same first name, we are computer geeks, entrepreneurs, adventurers, and our chemistry is off the charts.” His exasperation was obvious. “Hell, the list of our differences is probably shorter. In fact, only a few obvious ones come to mind. For example, you have boobs.”

Laughing, I muttered, “Barely.”

Throwing his hands in the air, he exclaimed, “What? Are you kidding me? They’re perfect! You’re perfect to me.”

It was too much. I was exhausted. Moving a few feet, I sat on the stairs. “Sweet-talk me all you want, I still don’t plan to come back to the office. I hate that job.”

Mac sighed. “If you don’t want to work together, that’s fine. I just want you to be happy, and be with me. What do you want to do? Or maybe you need to spend some time doing nothing?” He came and sat down beside me, took my hand in his.

“I suck at doing nothing,” I began quietly. “I need for my life to be different. Maybe I could try helping people. There’s something I’d really like to try building,” I admitted shyly.

Studying me intently, Mac asked, “What’s that?”

Admitting my feelings and my needs was always so scary. It was time to trust. Taking a deep steadying breath, I spoke, “Families. I want to help people become families. I needed that. There are so many kids who need good homes. Hard cases. Tough luck.” Then I looked down, unable to meet his eyes.

“I can see that. I like that. We’re already a family, you know.” His words warmed me. I didn’t realize how much I wanted it until he gave it to me. “One crazy family,” he continued. “You, me, and…” He gestured to the kennel a few feet away.

“Lucy. Her name is Lucy,” I said with certainty.

Giving my hand a squeeze, Mac leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Perfect. Lucy it is. She’ll be my Lucy in the sky with diamonds. And you, you’re my Heaven.”

“Jolie, my angel, my love, my little piece of Heaven,” Mac whispered in my ear.

“What do you want?” I asked while slowly opening one eye. Lucy was standing with her front feet on the bed. Tongue hanging out, eager to connect with my face. Her puppy breath was long gone and the odor was unmistakable.

Sitting on the bed beside me, he started rubbing my hip. “It’s eight am,” he announced. “You said if I woke you up nicely you’d have a surprise for me.”

Rolling slightly, I opened both eyes and trained them on him. He was far too perky. “You really are just a big overgrown man child, aren’t you?” I asked, the disgust evident in my voice.

“And you are really not a morning person.”

He was about to pout. I could feel it. “Seriously. I said nice. Where’s the nice?” I whined. If anyone were going to pout, it would be me.

Pointing to the nightstand, Mac waited until I carefully followed his finger and saw the breakfast tray sitting there. Clamping a hand over my mouth, my eyes widened as I studied it. “I made you tea!” Mac exclaimed proudly. “And there’s toast, lightly buttered, just like you’ve been eating for weeks.”

My stomach rolled inside and I could feel bile rising in my throat. Raising my finger in the universal sign for ‘wait a minute,’ I tried to lay super still and not anger the beast. Finally, when I was confident that opening my mouth wouldn’t result in me hurling, I spoke. “I can’t believe I let you impregnate me again.”

“Let?” he joked. “You begged for it.” Then he did something that never failed to bring a smile to my face, he mimicked me. “Mac, you’re so hot. I must have your love baby.”

Giggling some, I admitted, “Okay, I wanted this baby, but I don’t recall the conversation going like that at all.”

“Pregnancy brain,” he said with a shrug. “Gotta be.”

“Right, because you would never exaggerate?”

“Exactly. Now eat and gimme my surprise,” he ordered. It was hard to take that edict seriously when he punctuated it with a wink.

“I wanted hot chocolate,” I moaned.

“Yes, but your stomach won’t tolerate it until bed time,” he reminded me.

Looking at him sideways, I mumbled, “I can still want it.”

“I’ll make it for you then. Promise.”

“Well, that was easy.” Then I gave him my best evil laugh that soon turned into a cough and had him shoving a mug of tea under my nose.

“Drink this before you puke on the sheets,” he urged. Lucy had given up and was sitting, tail beating the floor, just waiting for me to get up and pet her.

After I had the mug in hand, he reached over to the tray and grabbed a slice of toast. It actually smelled kind of good to me this morning. Tentatively, I accepted the corner he fed me by taking a small nibble. Tilting my head to the side, I assessed my body’s reaction. Huh. Sitting up slowly, I took the rest of the slice from his hand and started eating it. Seconds later, I realized my mistake. Throwing back the covers and shoving him out of the way, I dashed past our dog, and rushed to the bathroom to rid my stomach of the offending contents. Soon enough I was empty again. “Sorry!” I exclaimed, thoroughly embarrassed. While I was sick, he had herded Lucy out the door before returning to my side.

“My Heaven,” he murmured as he rubbed my back and held my hair. “I’m sorry you are so sick.”

Sitting down on the cool tile floor, I looked up at him. “Totally worth it this time, I hope.” I held out a hand for him to help me up. When he did, he hauled me against him.

“You know, in a few more months this is going to be much more challenging.” He smiled down at me lovingly.

“What? Helping me off the floor?” I pretended to be offended and punched him playfully in the shoulder.

“Ow,” he mumbled as he rubbed his wound. “No, I meant hugging you. And baby makes three.”

When Mac said that, it reminded me of his surprise. “Oh!” Then I rushed into the bedroom to grab my tea. A few sips later and my stomach had settled nicely. “Time for your surprise.”

His mushy look was quickly replaced with one of anticipation. His eyes widened. He wore a childlike grin. In that instant, my heart grew and my attitude softened. This man was mine, forever. “Where are we going?” he asked as he pulled his keys out of his pocket and waved them in the air. “I’m ready. Get dressed!” He started to walk to my closet to find me something to wear, but my laughter stopped him.

“You know how I tell you all the time that you get so focused on work that you miss everything right under your nose?”

Nodding, Mac looked at me blankly. “Did I miss something?” He started looking around the room to see what it was he should have noticed.

Chuckling, I motioned for him to follow me. “This way, big guy.”

“You’re only wearing panties. I’d follow you anywhere.”

We walked out the bedroom and down the hall with Lucy hot on our heels after I gave her a few affectionate pats. We passed the room we had designated for the nursery. I heaved a happy sigh, confident this time we’d make it. I was already nearing the second trimester.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“You’ll see,” I said as I grabbed the handle for the previously unused bedroom. Slowly, I opened the door and stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter.

Mac walked through the door with a curious look. The walls, previously white, had been painted a soft blue. There was a twin bed that looked like a castle complete with Mike the Knight bedding. Above the bed was a sign. Welcome to Castle Liam. He walked to the closet, which was filled with clothes I had picked out. The dresser had everything a growing boy could need. A toy chest held more treasures.

“What’s this? I don’t understand.” He shook his head. I could see the hope in his eyes along with the fear that he was going to be disappointed once more.

“Go to the desk,” I suggested. “There’s some paperwork for you to sign. A messenger will be coming to pick it up in about thirty minutes. You better hurry.” Then I leaned against the doorway to watch his reaction.

Striding over to the desk, he leaned over and read through the official looking papers. “Custody?” he asked. “We can have Liam?” I heard his breath catch in his throat.

“Yes,” I said as I prepared to explain. “As you suspected, she really wanted you, not a child. He was meant as a trap, but you love him and want him, even if you don’t love or want his mother. I think discovering that you were married and expecting a baby with your wife was her turning point. It didn’t take much to convince her to give up custody.”

Mac gripped the edges of the desk to steady himself. “You did this? You did all this?” He looked about the room. Tears were forming.

It was more than my hormonally imbalanced body could take. Walking over to him, I set the mug on the desk and wrapped my arms around him. “Say something. Are you mad that I did this behind your back? Did I break your trust? What are you thinking?” Then I turned him to look at me, staring deeply into his gorgeous eyes once more.

In an instant, he had wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly. “Would an angry man hug you like this?”

“Eh, maybe. You have done some really strange things since I’ve known you, Henry MacIntyre.” I laughed quietly at my own joke.

“You don’t mind raising some other woman’s child?” he asked with our foreheads together, staring intently in my eyes.

Shrugging, I teased. “I figure I already am. What’s one more?”

His eyes narrowed. “Who are you already raising?”

“You!” I shouted as I rushed from the room. Lucy yipped playfully and trotted behind me.

As always he was hot on my heels, but this time, it was part of the plan. I ran to the nursery, threw open the door and stopped in the center of the room.

Mac followed me in and scooped me up. “You are terrible, my love.” He kissed my forehead, my cheek, my lips, and started trailing little kisses down my neck, stopping only when he reached my nipple. Soon he had it in his mouth.

“Ahem.” My distraction worked. He paused and I squirmed out of his arms. “Look,” I urged as I gestured around the room.

Suddenly, he realized I had finished this room too. The walls were pale pink and there were gray chevron sheets and comforter for the crib bedding, and one accent wall. On it were letters spelling out our daughter’s name, Chloe Grace. “This room is beautiful, but shouldn’t you make sure we’re having a girl first?”

“Oh, we are,” I announced proudly.

“We are? You’re sure?” He lifted me up into his arms.

Nodding, I explained, “The results came back from the genetic testing. We’re having a healthy baby girl.”

Lifting me higher, he kissed my belly. “Can’t wait to meet you, Chloe. Daddy loves you.” He lowered me until we were eye to eye. “And daddy loves mommy too. You’ll never understand how much.” His words hit me in the heart, just where they really mattered. “Oh, Jolie, please don’t cry!”

Tears streamed down my face. “I never thought I’d have this. Love you more.” I squeezed him before shoving away and leaving the room.

“Where you going?” he asked bewildered. “I’m feeling rather feisty.”

“I can tell. Now go sign your papers, feisty man. The messenger will be here soon. I’m going to shower before we leave for the airport.” I walked away, waiting for the next question. I still loved torturing him.

“Wait. Airport?” His footsteps followed me into the hall.

I didn’t even look back. “We have to pick up Liam just before two this afternoon. It was a thirteen-hour flight, but he didn’t have to get on the plane until ten am in London.”

“But I didn’t even sign the papers!” he exclaimed.

“Eh, it was set up as a visit. Now he just won’t go back. No worries.” I smiled at him just before walking into the bedroom.

“You know, this accidental marriage is the best thing that’s ever happened to me!” he shouted down the hall.

Peeking out the door, I admitted, “Me too.”

What made her decide to be an erotica author?

Simple.

How else was she going to parlay her two favorite past times into a career?

Emma is single and loving it. Like her first character, Alysin, Sin for short, she doesn't believe in settling or in settling down. She loves to indulge in her passions whenever the mood strikes and enjoys keeping all of life's cliché moments spicy.

Known for her sense of humor, Emma surrounds herself with friends whose antics often become the source of book fodder. Her ideal situation would be to explore the Caribbean while writing. She pursues that dream daily.

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