“More,” she said.
He grabbed her wrists and, with one hand, held them above her head against the mirror. When he began to fuck her, her restrained wrists added more intensity, and she clamped her lips shut to keep from shouting.
A sheen of sweat slicked his forehead, and she knew his control had been hanging on by a thread when he’d touched her and she’d immediately climaxed, back when they were in the cabin.
He withdrew halfway only to pound into her harder, and she gasped for air, her breasts rising and falling with each breath. He kept his eyes on her as he rammed deeper, and she arched toward him, ready to give herself to a lifetime of pleasure with him.
“Mon Dieu. You’re killing me,” she said, when she tried to move her hands but he grasped them tighter, and then began to nip her jaw.
“Good. Then I’ll revive you and we’ll do it all over again.”
“Is love always like this? This crazy…thing?” She’d experienced loving her family, loving causes, but never a man.
“No. I think this is a Zaine and Monique thing,” he said, before letting go of her hands so she could touch his hair.
She wrapped her hands around his head, bringing him closer to her, then kissed him with passion, urgency, and lust. Three ingredients that made her blood run hot and thick. What if there was a way to freeze time and imprint this moment in her memory? As he gazed at her lovingly, his lashes covering his eyes, she sighed. She didn’t need to be afraid to lose him or the sensations he provoked in her anymore. She—they—had forever on their side.
Epilogue
Six months later…
Dakar, Senegal, West Africa
Zaine waved at the dark-haired teenaged boy from across the street. The past months, he always bought something he didn’t need from the teenager to help him make some money. Gum, water, candy. The sad reality of Senegal also made him help find inexpensive, sustainable ways to build homes for the poor, particularly in rural areas.
He’d come up with a plan in his first month of living there, and within two months, asked his contacts to host fundraisers and invested some of his own money. He couldn’t change the world, or, hell, the continent, but starting with small areas on the outskirts of Dakar seemed like a good compromise.
He parked his car in the garage of the building and took the slow elevator to the tenth floor. Because of their hectic schedules, they’d never built a house in one of the nicer neighborhoods—nor had they wanted to. Why contribute to the crazy social and financial disparity in the society by choosing to live in a luxury mansion? The three-bedroom apartment worked just fine for now.
He was about to insert the key in the slot when Monique opened the door, greeting him with a smile. A colorful, long dress made from cotton covered her luscious body.
“Were you waiting for me?” he asked, kissing her hard.
She broke the kiss, saying, “Class ended early today. I saw you driving home and took a shortcut to make it on time and surprise you.”
He kneaded her delectable ass, pulling her so close to him he could barely breathe. “That’s the kind of surprise I like.”
She chuckled, patting him lightly on the chest. “There’s another one, too.”
He kissed her cheek. “Yeah?”
She smoothed her ponytail, then straightened her shoulders. A flicker of excitement touched her green eyes. What else could she possibly have to tell him? Spending extra time with her was enough. He loved when they teased each other, cooked together, and the many times she fell asleep in his arms twenty minutes after they’d begun to watch a movie. Moments like this he treasured. Moments like this he loved. “I’m pregnant.”
His heart jumped, and he covered his mouth with his hand. Pregnant? They hadn’t made immediate plans, and both had agreed on waiting until she finished her first year in her contract to revisit the idea. “What?”
Her smile lit up her face. “That’s why I left early. I visited a woman’s clinic for an exam… I had to make sure before telling you.” She flung herself into his arms, and he held her tight. “I’m so happy.”
A baby? He lowered his hand, touching her belly. “Me too.”
“We should go back to LA before the baby’s born. I want your family to be present.”
“Are you sure? I mean, what about all the work you’ve been doing here?”
“I’ve been hired for a year and intend on fulfilling my duties. But I want this child to have family around, and your mom and sisters will dote on him or her. We can continue to travel here and oversee your projects.”
“What about your family?” He had to agree—he’d met her mom and brothers and loved them, but her English was better than his French. He was learning, especially after moving to Senegal, but going back to his family for the baby’s birth would be a dream come true.
“You better buy them tickets at least a couple of times a year so they can visit us. I’m sure my mom will want to be there for the birth.”
“Sounds good. I…I can’t believe this.”
He swept her off her feet, and she chuckled as an inner glow oozed from her. A happy energy zinged between them, and everything fell into place. Their family was now complete, and he’d be a dad at the right time, with the right woman.
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Acknowledgments
Thanks to Entangled Publishing for giving my book babies a home. Huge thanks to the marketing team, the editors, production, really, everyone.
To my editor and friend Alethea Spiridon, my eternal gratitude. Your support, professionalism and enthusiasm mean the world to me. I know how lucky I am! :)
Thanks to Christine Glover for always being there for me—as a critique partner, business partner, friend and counselor.
I love Carmen’s Crew, my Facebook group. Thanks for adding so much joy and humor to my daily life.
Huge thanks to all the readers and reviewers who take the time to read this book. I do what I do for you, and your support is soooo appreciated. Hope you enjoyed Monique and Zaine!
About the Author
Carmen Falcone writes sexy, edgy, addictive romance. She loves to create deliciously hot, Alpha book boyfriends and the quirky, smart and sassy heroines readers relate to.
Brazilian by birth and traveler by nature, she moved to Central Texas after college and met her broody Swiss husband—living proof that opposites attract. She found in writing the best excuse to avoid the healthy lifestyle everyone keeps bragging about. When she’s not lost in the world of romance, she enjoys spending time with her two kids, being walked by her crazy pugs, reading, catching up with friends, and chatting with random people in the checkout line. For more info, please visit her at carmenfalcone.com.
Discover the Dirty Debts series
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