Now I hug him closer, content to wait here as my mind drifts back over this past year.
Keeping my hands off Rayla as we stood at the altar was one hell of a challenge, her wedding dress was so sexy and magnificent it made me want to tear it off. That’s the thing with my woman.
She’s always appealing to the two halves of me – to the lover and the beast, in each and every moment.
She’s doing so well at college. She’s done so well with her play. I can’t wait to see what she achieves next.
“You’ve done a lot too,” she murmured to me last night. “What about your book deal, huh? The return of Roman Robinson is a reality.”
“What about the long awaited debut of Rayla Robinson, hmm?” I’d whispered, kissing the nape of her neck.
Now I’d seen what her writing debut entailed, and I couldn’t be more impressed.
“Aunt Millie is doing amazingly well too, isn’t she?” I murmur, rocking Liam softly.
My daughter has had several short stories published and she’s well on her way to completing her first novel, after lots of hair-pulling and rewriting and stressing.
Pride blossoms inside of me when I think about how well my daughter and my wife are doing, and then the crowd parts and Rayla is walking toward us.
I study her, my gorgeous wife, changed into jeans and a baggy T-shirt out of her play gear. She’s tied her wild dark hair back in a ponytail, draped over her shoulder and jostling around as she approaches us.
I can’t help but smile as my gaze consumes her, the way I always smile when I lay eyes on her.
Every inch, every gesture, every moment with my woman is something I savor, reminding myself how lucky I am that the storm chose then to strike – sealing us in, helping us to fall in love.
I lean across and push open the car door for her.
She smiles as she slides into the seat next to me, reaching over and brushing her hand along my jaw before giving Liam a soft stroke on the head.
“How was I?” she asks.
“Amazing,” I tell her, and I’m not just talking about the play, though she was amazing in that.
I’m talking about our wedding day.
I’m talking about how dedicated she is to her craft, even whilst being the most loving mother I’ve ever seen in my life.
I’m talking about the way her curvy body calls to me even more now that she’s had a child, captivating me with more carnal hunger every single day.
“You’re amazing, Rayla.”
She smiles, her eyes hazy and tired. But tired or not, nothing could stop her from softly taking Liam from my arms, leaning down, and gently kissing him on his forehead.
“I missed you both so much,” she whispers.
“We were right there.” I squeeze her shoulder, love coursing through me. “We’re always going to be right here.”
“I know.” She looks over at me with light dancing in her eyes. “I love you so, so much, Roman. More than I could ever explain.”
“I love you more,” I say passionately.
We stay like that for a long time, sitting in a cocoon of warmth and contentment in the parking lot, until a light summer rain starts to fall.
And when our eyes meet she giggles and I laugh, as we remember the million raindrops that brought us to this moment, this perfect forever.
Extended Epilogue
Some Time Later…
Rayla
“I am the monster,” Roman roars, leaping out from behind the couch.
The children laugh like crazy.
At least, those old enough for laughter do.
Liam and Sebastian break into giggles, our ten and eight year old always goading each other on. They’re so similar in their love of mischief, except that Liam has my brown hair and Sebastian has his father’s – and sweet Millie’s – blond.
Elena and Isabelle fill the air with their laughter. The five and four year old are just like their older brothers, fused at the hip, often turning our house into a fairytale land of dress-up and play as they experiment with different fabrics and styles.
Elena spins away with all the pomp and grandeur of a five year old on a mission, her long dark hair trailing behind her. “Fine, wicked monster, then come and see if you’re tough enough.”
I sit at the back of the room, the raindrops lightly pattering against the window, each one filling me with more and more love. Trent lies peacefully in my arms, his eyes closed, even as his dad and brothers and sisters make mayhem bare feet away from us.
Trent, of all my wonderful children, has cried the least of all my children. He’s a precious peaceful bundle of joy.
“Do not tempt me, girl,” Roman says, standing up to his full height and holding his arms at his sides.
Even if this is all rehearsed – the children all wrote the play together – I have to admit he looks imposing as he rears up.
My husband had gotten burlier with age, his arms thicker. Every part of him swells with muscles and protective impulses, as though the animal inside of him knew he had to become stronger to keep us safe.
I smile as my chest glows brightly, the play continuing with Roman charging at Elena only to have Liam and Sebastian and Isabelle leap in his way.
Roman covers his face as they present their magic wands – really just games console and TV remotes – and groans as he sinks into the armchair.
“You’ve got me… you dastardly kids, you got me.”
I was so impressed when Liam used the word dastardly in the script. He’s taking after his father, that’s for sure… or his aunt. Roman has gone on to write more bestselling books since that magical week in the cabin. And Millie has written eight books, many of them bestsellers too, all under a pen name because she didn’t want to use her dad’s name.
I’ve acted in plays, television, and three movies, and all of them have done well, letting me say, I am an actor once and for all. I make my living by pretending to be other people.
But nothing is as sweet as being me, as being blessed with this life – my real life.
“Mommy,” Elena whispers out of the corner of her mouth, as though there’s a crowd watching and she wants to be discreet.
“Hmm?” I murmur. “Sorry, I was away in the clouds.”
“It’s Trent’s line,” Roman says, as he smiles at me.
“Dad. Monsters don’t speak,” Elena sighs.
Roman grins and mimes sealing his mouth.
Oh, right.
Trent’s line. I forgot all about it.
Lifting him very gently, as though he’s about to address them, I move my head behind him so they can’t see me. They can just see their precious little brother. It’s so hard not to giggle though, and Liam and Isabelle’s laughter tells me I’m not alone.
“Enough games, punks,” I say, doing my best baby voice, holding little Tent, as more giggles escape me. “And stick ’em up.”
None of us can hold it together after that.
We all break up into laughter, the whole room filled with it, as love dances in the air.
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A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS
Book 1: Baby Lust
Book 2: Veteran
Book 3: Built
Book 4: Bambino
Book 5: Rescued
Book 6: Leader
Book 7: Professor
Book 8: Burned
Book 9: Worldly
Book 10: Pistol
Book 11: Policed
Book 12: Driven
Book 13: Lucky 13
Book 14: Lumberjacked
Book 15: Protector
Book 16: Carpenter
Book 17: Italian Stallion
Book 18: Gardener
Book 19: Budapest Billionaire’s Virgin
Book 20: Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 21: Cocky CFO
&nb
sp; Book 22: Fireman’s Filthy 4th
Book 23: Mechanic
Book 24: SEAL’s Secret
Book 25: Police, Pooch, and Smooch
Book 26: Fireman’s Fake Fiancée
Book 27: Billionaire’s Virgin Ballerina
Book 28: Bitcoin Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 29: Veterans Day Daddy
Book 30: Cowboy’s Christmas Carol
Book 31: Police Officer’s Princess
Book 32: Statham
Book 33: Bodyguard
Book 34: Greek God
Book 35: Billionaire Single Dad's Babysitter
Book 36: Mountain Man
Book 37: SEAL’s Justice
Book 38: Royal Romance
Book 39: Doctor Mountain Man’s Special Delivery
Book 40: Crocodile Dan D
Book 41: Mountain Man’s Secret Baby
Book 42: Doctor Bad Boy’s Secret Baby
Book 43: Cop’s Babysitter
Book 44: Nanny for the Cop Next Door
Book 45: Small Town SEAL’s Saving Grace
Book 46: Cop’s Fake Fiancée
Book 47: Billionaire’s Nanny
Book 48: Cowboy’s Babysitter
Book 49: Steamy
Book 50: Brother’s Best Friend
Book 51: Possessive Professor
Book 52: Firefighter’s Babysitter
Book 53: Soldier’s Secret Baby
Book 54: Ward’s Independence Day
Book 55: Doctor Next Door
Book 56: Possessive Policeman
Book 57: Coached by the MMA Fighter
Book 58: Boss’s Babysitter
Book 59: Virgin in New York
Book 60: Rock Star’s Baby
Book 61: Possessive Protector
Book 62: Possessive Australian
Book 63: Best Friend’s Brother
Book 64: Possessive Cowboy
Book 65: Summer Romanced
Book 66: Possessive Prince
Book 67: Lovers’s Enemy
Book 68: Cop’s Best Friend
Book 69: Possessive Firefighter
Book 70: Football Next Door
Book 71: Doctor December
Book 72: Possessive Canadian
Book 73: Blue Collar Billionaire
Book 74: Possessive K-9 Cop
Book 75: Possessive Brazilian
Book 76: Hockey Obsession
Book 77: Possessive Boston Irish American MMA Fighter
Book 78: Halloween Next Door
Book 79: Possessive Russian
Book 80: Baseball Mine
Book 81: Cop’s Caribbean Captive
Book 82: Instalove Island
Book 83: Dad’s Best Friend
Book 84: Thanksgiving with Dad’s Boss
Book 85: Possessive Italian Neighbor
Book 86: Possessive Portuguese
Book 87: Possessive Christmas Cop
Book 88: Russian’s Obsession
Book 89: Possessive Doctor’s Christmas
Book 90: Possessive Parisian Pilot
Book 91: U.K. Boxing Day
Book 92: Jealous Russian Stalker
Book 93: Italian Mountain Man
Book 94: Aggressive Russian
Book 95: Possessive Valentine
Book 96: Possessive Hunter
Book 97: Dad’s Russian Mafia Friend
Book 98: Russian Teacher
Book 99: Australian Obsession
Book 100: Russian Next Door
Book 101: Dad’s Irish Friend
Book 102: Nanny for the Russian Mafia
Book 103: Best Friend’s Dad
Book 104: Basketball Babymaker
Book 105: Possessive Veterinarian
Book 106: Brother’s Fireman Friend
Book 107: Brother’s Canadian Cowboy Friend
Book 108: Summer Vacation with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 109: Dad’s Italian Mafia Friend
Book 110: Dad’s Irish Mafia Friend
Book 111: Dad’s Football Friend
Book 112: Possessing His Dancing Queen
Book 113: Brother’s Cop Friend
Book 114: Halloween With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 115: Claimed By Her Boss
Book 116: Possessive Rider
Book 117: Dad’s Ex-Biker Buddy
Book 118: Possessive Undercover Cop
Book 119: Falling For Her Boss
Book 120: Claiming His Fashionista
Book 121: More Than Dad’s Best Friend
Book 122: Thanksgiving With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 123: Bossy Italian
Book 124: Christmas With Dad’s Mafia Friend
Book 125: Maid For The Italian Mafia
Book 126: Nutcracker
Book 127: Cowboy Cerrone
Book 128: Chef’s Kiss
Book 129: Claimed By The Russian
Book 130: Bought By The Italian Mafia
Book 131: Hot Nerd
Book 132: Dad’s Italian Mafia Boss
Book 133: Mine
Book 134: Taken By The Thief
Book 135: Curves Ahead
Book 136: Her Mafia Valentine
Book 137: Doctor Valentine
Book 138: Maid For The Irish Mafia
Book 139: Winning Her Curves
Book 140: Dad’s Cartel Best Friend
Book 141: Dad’s Greek Mafia Friend
Book 142: Lawyer’s Obsession
Book 143: Attending Her Curves
Book 144: Maid for the Russian Mafia
Book 145: Priest
Book 146: Claimed By Dad’s Best Friend
Book 147: His Curvy Office Obsession
Book 148: Easter with Dad's Best Friend
Book 149: Veterinarian's Obsession
Book 150: Curves For Her Older Boss
Book 151: Mob Lawyer's Curves
Book 152: Maid For The Doctor Next Door
Book 153: Possessive Forest Ranger
Book 154: Nurse For The Russian Mafia
Book 155: Dad’s Fireman Friend
Book 156: Russian Mountain Man
Book 157: Possessive Italian Doctor
Book 158: Dad's EMT Best Friend
Book 159: Claimed By The Publisher
Book 160: Mr. CEO
Book 161: His Curvy Castaway Obsession
Book 162: Claiming His Reunion Obsession
Book 163: Claimed By Dad’s College Friend
Book 164: Dad’s Detective Best Friend
Book 165: Attending The Russian Mafia
Book 166: Dad's Biker Best Friend
Book 167: My Dad's Russian Mafia Friend
Book 168: Possessive Landlord
Book 169: Gardener For The Mafia
Book 170: Possessive Fighter
Book 171: Claiming Her Sweet Curves
Book 172: Possessive Camp Counselor
Book 173: Claimed By Dad's Italian Best Friend
Book 174: Possessive Neighbor
Book 175: 4th of July With Dad's Best Friend
Book 176: Claimed By Her Enemy
Book 177: Bodyguard’s Obsession
Book 178: Falling For The Player
Book 179: Possessive Alpha Cop
Book 180: Her CEO
Book 181: Falling For Her Dad’s Boss
Book 182: MMA Fighter’s Obsession
Book 183: Possessive Lawyer
Book 184: Claimed by the British Rockstar
Book 185: Summer Obsession
Book 186: Paris with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 187: Claimed by the Possessive Fireman
Book 188: Possessive Trucker
Book 189: Falling for Dad's Enemy
Book 190: His Undercover Maid
Book 191: Her Innocent CEO
Book 192: Bratva Boss’s Babysitter
Book 193: Sold to the Bratva Boss
Book 194: My Dad's Best Friend
Book 195: His Cabin Obsession
Book 196: Driver's Obsessio
n
Book 197: His Unexpected Love
Book 198: London with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 199: Hot Neighbor
Book 200: Maid for the Hollywood Heartthrob
Book 201: The CEO and the Wedding Planner
Book 202: Claimed by the Italian
Book 203: Dad’s CEO Boss
Book 204: The Mob and His Messenger
Book 205: Rome with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 206: Haunted by Her Curves
Book 207: Her Vampire
Book 208: Bidding for Her Curves
Book 208: Claiming His Student
Book 210: CEO's Dog Trainer Obsession
Book 211: Pool Girl
Book 212: Possessive Writer
Book 213: Maid for the Mafia Informant
Book 214: Thankful for Him
Book 215: Madrid with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 216: My Best Friend’s Dad
Book 217: Taming Her Beast
Book 218: All I Want For Christmas is You
Book 219: Falling for His Captive
Book 220: My Christmas Carol
Book 221: Preacher’s Daughter
Book 222: Her Hitman
Book 223: Claimed by Her Best Friend’s Dad
Book 224: My Roommate’s Dad
Book 225: His To Claim
Book 226: Matchmaker Backfire
Book 227: Saved by the Hitman
Book 228: Valentine’s with My Best Friend’s Dad
Book 229: Lost and Found
Book 230: Electing For Her Curves
Book 231: Barcelona with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 232: Claiming His Forever
Book 233: Hearts On Campus
Book 234: Intern for My Best Friend’s Dad
Book 235: Paris with the Billionaire
Book 236: Open Heart (Dr. Love)
Book 237: Meet Me In Monaco
Book 238: Maid for the Hitman
Book 239: My Best Friend’s Navy SEAL Dad
Book 240: Groomed For Love
Book 241: Model for the Mob
Book 242: Vegas with Dad's Best Friend
Book 243: Goldie Locks
Book 244: Driving the Mob
Book 245: Hollywood Hearts
Book 246: Caring for the Bratva
Book 247: Dr. Good
Book 248: Curves, He Wrote
Book 249: Picture Perfect Love
Book 250: Ranger Ben
Trapped with My Best Friend's Dad: A Steamy Standalone Instalove Romance (A Man Who Knows What He Wants Book 258) Page 13