by Lyssa Layne
Bentley and Bri’s parents cheer and I hear his dad make a comment about not being able to escape his princesses. I smile at his comment and lean forward, trying to read Jules’ expression. She wraps her arms around a grinning Bentley and rests her head on his chest. He leans down and kisses the top of her head, his other arm picking up his daughter.
Bentley looks at his sister and pokes her side. “Come on, sis. Share the news.”
Bri looks up at J.P., who is grinning and announces, “Callum’s going to have a baby sister.”
Bri squeals as she hugs her mother and her father shakes J.P.’s hand. I lean back, watching my friends celebrate, folding my hands behind my head. Glancing into the bedroom, I see my love roll over, fast asleep in our bed. When I turn back to the computer, Jules has taken the computer into another room and it’s just me and her.
“A girl, Julianna, you’re going to have a daughter!”
She nods, something obviously on her mind. “Yeah, another girl for Bent…”
I sigh. “Stop it. That man is beside himself about another daughter. Besides, if he really wants a boy, then you’ll just have to try again.”
Jules snarls at me and laughs. “Ha, ha, I don’t think so.” She pauses, then asks. “You really think he’s excited? Because I really wanted a girl!”
I chuckle and nod. “Yes, Julianna, he is happy and it’s okay for you to be excited, too. How’s everything going?”
“Ugh, I hate being pregnant. Bentley cooked dinner the other night, including brownies for dessert and I sobbed. The other morning, I couldn’t get my pants buttoned and Emmy told me it was okay to get fat since I had a baby inside me and I lost it. My boobs hurt, I have to pee all the time, and if one more person touches my stomach, I swear I’ll scream.”
I laugh, that’s the Jules that I know and love. “At least you’re pregnant with Bri so she can commiserate with you.”
“Are you kidding me? She’s one of those crazy women who love every part of being pregnant. Mark my words, this definitely isn’t their last kid.”
“Smitty?” I hear from the bedroom.
I turn back to the screen. “Congrats, Jules, I’m excited for you guys. I need to get back to bed, but I’ll call you this weekend.”
Jules lifts her eyebrows. “Bed? Is there going to be a baby Smitty soon?”
I roll my eyes. “G’night, Julianna.”
“You’ll be back before I have baby Ladner, right?”
“Of course, Jules, I wouldn’t miss it.”
Pleased with my answer, Jules says goodbye and we end our call. Closing the laptop, I walk into our bedroom. Pulling back the sheet, I slide underneath and pull Sloan’s body against mine. She slips her leg between mine and buries her head.
“I’m freezing,” she mumbles, still in a sleepy haze.
“Sorry, babe. It was the gender reveal for the babies tonight.”
Sloan turns her head up to me. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” She sticks out her bottom lip, pouting.
I smile and trace my finger over her lip. “Because you’re so peaceful when you sleep and you’ve been exhausted lately.” Sloan’s business exploded. When we moved here a few weeks ago, she only had a handful of clients and already she has tripled that. I’m not surprised, she’s amazing all around, but especially when it comes to her work.
My fingers run through her long hair. The image of my friends and their excitement replays in my mind. There was a time in my life where I wanted all of that. A wife, kids, my parents excitement over grandbabies, but right now, in this moment, I have everything I’ve ever needed.
I brush my lips across her forehead. “Girls. They’re both having girls.”
“Oh! How exciting! I can’t wait to go shopping for them. I saw the most adorable outfit in the boutique the other day—”
“What were you doing looking at baby clothes?”
Sloan leans up and kisses me softly. “Relax, babe. Right now, it’s just you and me, I promise.”
My hand runs down her cheek. “Do you want kids?”
Sloan gives me an Eskimo kiss and drops her head to my ear, nibbling on it. “I like practicing.”
I laugh and run my hand down her bare back, giving her backside a playful tap. She jumps and giggles, moving herself so she’s straddling me. I slide my hands up and down her thighs while she rubs herself against my semi-hard erection. I close my eyes, enjoying the sensations she’s sending through my body. We may have both been afraid of loving again when we met, but now, neither of us holds back.
Sloan
Smitty’s hands mindlessly wander from my thighs to my stomach over my chest and back down. I love this man, I love him with every fiber of my being. I want nothing more than to be in his presence for the rest of my life. He’s definitely not Cooper and he never will be, just like I’ll never be his Caroline. Instead, we’re Smitty and Sloan, our own kind of relationship that is unique and of its own.
On our flight to Europe, we both agreed that neither of us saw marriage in our future. We both know that we’ve found the one person that completes us and we don’t need a certificate to show it. Instead, we’ve agreed to focus on living in the moment, loving as much as we can, and never wasting a second together. Despite our vows of living in unwedded bliss together for the rest of our lives, the topic of children has never been broached, which isn’t too shocking considering we’ve only known each other four months. I’ve never even thought about kids, but I’m not opposed to the idea.
Smitty’s mouth finds mine and I rub harder against his excited manhood. He moans in my mouth and I lift up my hips, using my hand to guide him. He easily glides deep inside and I lean back, hands on his thighs, letting out a purr of desire myself.
His hands find my breasts and he squeezes them tightly. “Let me put on a condom, babe.”
I lean up and look in his eyes. “What if you didn’t?”
His eyebrows dash to the top of his forehead. “Seriously?”
I shrug. “It was just an idea,” I mumble, embarrassed and having received Smitty’s answer to whether or not he wants children.
Smitty takes my hands and pulls them to his chest, making my head tilt forward and look him in the eyes. “Sloan Talbott, you’re my favorite what if,” he says and begins rocking his hips gently. I grin as I lean forward and let my lips graze his. I can’t imagine life without this man.
Holding him against me so that our chests touch, I use my index finger to write on his shoulder: Y-E-S. He looks up at me with a cocked eyebrow.
“Yes, I want kids, but more than anything I want you.”
His hips pick up speed and he kisses me passionately. “I’m all yours, baby.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A huge shoutout and thank you to my beta readers: Jill Blake, Kelley Kidder, K.S. Thomas, and Rachelle Ayala. As always, much appreciation to the wonderful Melissa Keir for her amazing formatting skills, Tami Adams of Magic of Books Promotions for your awesome proofreading, and Linda Kage from Kage Cover Designs for the beautiful cover. To my lovers of Lyssa Layne, the absolute best readers in the world, thank you for urging me to write faster and keep your Kindle full.
OTHER BOOKS BY LYSSA LAYNE
Everybody’s After Love
The Right Pitch
Fear of Striking Out
Loved by the Linebacker
***
Burning Lovesick Series:
Love is a Fire
Burst Into Flame
Love Can’t Save You
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lyssa Layne is first, and foremost, the proud momma to her precious daughter, AR. In addition to working full-time and being a mommy to AR, she is also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, a runner, blogger, and an infertility survivor.
Having watched one too many medical dramas and being inspired by author Rachelle Ayala, who introduced her to the world of indie writing, Lyssa decided to try her hand at writing a romance story. Her attempt turned into the Burning Lovesick series. You
can find Lyssa’s own interests throughout her stories although all stories are fictional.
Contact Her
Blog: http://www.authorlyssalayne.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lyssalayne
Twitter: https://twitter.com/layne_lyssa
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/authorlyssalayn/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/LyssaLayne/e/B00KP1Y5BY
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8280977.Lyssa_Layne
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/lyssalayne
Jules Rossi’s world is about to be turned upside down when her big brother, Paulie, announces his engagement. Having been raised by her brother after their parents died, she’s used to him being her knight in shining armor and isn’t ready to share him with anyone else.
Throughout all the wedding festivities, Jules’ path continues to cross with Paulie’s future brother-in-law, Bentley Ladner. Bentley soon begins to take on Paulie’s role in Jules’ life, which neither of the Rossi siblings is too sure about. Can Jules cope with the secrets Bentley is keeping? Or will she lose his support when she finally decides to give love a chance?
Everybody’s After Love is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. Be sure to add Everybody’s After Love to your bookshelf on Goodreads.
“Life will always throw you curves, just keep fouling them off…the right pitch will come, but when it does, be prepared to run the bases.” -Rick Maksian
Colie Adger is trying to make it in the big leagues as an athletic trainer. Working in a man’s world isn’t easy but Colie has the help of Grant Adamson, a veteran pitcher on her team that has her back through the good, the bad, and the oh-so-ugly times.
Colie’s elated when big time pitcher Jace Richards, her former crush, comes back into her life. This time, he wants it all, with Colie front and center.
Grant thinks Jace is too good to be true and doesn’t trust his rival with the heart of his trainer. Voicing his opinion, Grant steps to the side and lets Colie follow her own path. Colie is torn between Jace’s lavish attention and the common sense of a solid friend.
Throughout the season, Colie must figure out how to make the best decisions for all the men in her life—both on and off the field. As good as she is at making decisions for others, can Colie figure out her own heart and hit a homerun off the right pitch?
Order your copy today on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, or Kobo.
Add it to your TBR on Goodreads, too.
The Right Pitch is part of a boxed set called Heroes to Swoon For.
“Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your heart or burn your house down, you can never tell.” -Joan Crawford
Dr. Katy Malone has sworn off love after losing those she loves most in her life including her father, a member of the FDNY. She has decided to spend her time focusing on her medical research. Her ex-fiancée, and fellow doctor, isn’t ready to give up on loving her though.
Firefighter Nick Garrity is on a search for the future Mrs. Garrity. As he pushes thirty, with no prospects in sight, he’s afraid he’ll never find her. A devoted member of FDNY, he loves the thrill of his job and the satisfaction it brings him. He strives to teach the proby firefighter the ropes and pass on his passion to him.
When the proby tries to impress the guys on the crew, he ends up in the care of Dr. Katy Malone. One look at Dr. Malone and Nick knows he’s found his future wife, but can he convince her to love again?
Love is a Fire is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. Be sure to add Love is a Fire to your bookshelf on Goodreads.
Shortstop Tate James has been traded from the all-American town of Milwaukee to the trendy City of Angels.
Pink hair, manscaping, dogs in purses… not his thing. This ball player is less than excited about his new hometown. That is until he crosses paths with beautiful Mia Tomko. She lets him know that not all L.A. women are just after fame and fortune.
As Tate and Mia find that their interest in each other isn’t the only thing they have in common, neither are prepared for what their future holds.
When someone from both of their pasts arrives, will it tear them apart or make them closer?
Fear of Striking Out is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. Be sure to add Fear of Striking Out to your bookshelf on Goodreads.
In a man’s world, Camila Lemos is one of the top sports agents in the market. The athletes beg for her attention, not just for business, but in the bedroom as well. However, feisty Brazilian beauty Camila is more than meets the eye and refuses to become involved with any of her clients, no exceptions.
Linebacker Evan Purser is the newest man in his family to join the NFL. Guided by his older brother and fellow teammate, he signs with Camila. Once the agent and the linebacker meet, anything but sparks fly.
As the tension rises, so do the feelings for one another, but neither will admit it. Evan can’t let go of the past. Camila’s not sure she can risk her reputation for love. When the walls are broken down, will a touchdown be scored or will it be yet another fumble for both?
Add Loved by the Linebacker to your TBR shelf on Goodreads.