“We’ll improvise.”
She chews on her bottom lip, her eyes filling with emotion, before adding, “And I may never be able to give you a child.”
“Then we’ll adopt.”
Her eyes clench shut, lips forming a thin line.
“Sweetheart, there’s nothing you can say that will make me not want you.”
“Even if it means losing your career?”
“Nothing.”
Silence stretches between us.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” My chest tightens at the implication of that one word.
A small smile tugs at her lips. “Okay.”
“You’re going to have to be a bit more specific, or I’m going to think that you may just have accepted my proposal.”
“And if I did?” She studies my face, fingers pressed against my abs, and leans closer so that there’s only the wet material of our clothes separating us.
I swallow the enormous lump in my throat. “Then you just made me the happiest man on earth.”
Her smile broadens and my breath catches at how beautiful she is. “Then yes, I accept.”
My lips crush hers, hard and demanding.
Desperate hands tear at my wet clothing. By the time I’m able to get my shirt off, I’m beyond hard for her, and my cock strains at the damp material begging to be released.
“God, I love you.” I drag my hands over her body, needing to feel every inch of her.
Naked, she squirms against me, fisting her hands in my hair, her mouth seeking mine in a primal kiss.
My cock begs to be inside of her, to fill her completely.
I lift her hips, and her thighs wrap around my waist, my erection pressing at her tight entrance.
“What are you waiting for?” she rasps against my lips.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I’m ready. I need you. Please.”
Her begging for my cock almost undoes me.
I slide into her and her body latches onto me, fingers digging into my scalp, mouth heavy and breathless against my own.
Pressing her back against the tiles for support, I stay there for a long moment, watching her face, and reveling in the emotions I see reflected in her eyes. Lust mixed with love. It’s a combination I’d never believed possible. Not for me.
But here she is, giving me everything. Giving me her heart.
I take her lips, slipping my tongue into her mouth, and pulling out slightly, then thrust back into her, growing even harder with her whimper of pleasure.
My muscles clench, contracting in waves as I roll against her, already so close. But so is she. Her body is so responsive to me.
I rock into her. It’s my name on her lips, and those three simple words that drive me harder, until I swear the entire world melts away.
“I love you,” she whimpers.
It’s too much. I come with a cry, filling her, thrusting my hips to get as deep as possible. She’s right behind me, muscles clenching and quivering until her body lets go, with a wail of pleasure.
Her head tilts back and she goes weak against me, still trembling with the last waves of her orgasm.
I bury my face in her neck, and cling to her as she clings to me. Lowering our bodies into the tub, I don’t let go. We stay there like that, wrapped in each other.
It almost feels like a dream. And I realize it’s better. Because this one I never have to wake up from.
Isabelle Stewart is mine. Heart, body and soul. And I know in this moment that no matter what life brings, I’m already the luckiest bastard in the world.
Epilogue
Moody
Nine months later…
The sound of the crowd cheering my name as the championship belt is wrapped around my waist is nothing compared to the view of my very pregnant wife smiling up at me from the front row of the T-Mobile Arena.
“I’m so proud of you,” Izzy says, when we’re back in our hotel suite, surrounded by our friends and family.
Theo smacks me on the back and grins. “I knew it was in you.”
“I couldn’t have gotten here without you,” I say, grinning, the rush of adrenaline still pumping through my blood. I wrap one arm protectively around Izzy’s waist, place my palm on her extended belly and whisper in her ear. “Or you.”
“I’m so proud of you.” Her hand covers mine and I feel a strong kick against my palm.
A swell of pride fills me. My son. He’s already a fighter. It’s a miracle alone that Izzy is pregnant, but even more so that she’s been able to carry to term. Because of the scar tissue in her uterus, the doctors didn’t think the pregnancy would be viable, and there were a couple terrifying months when we didn’t know if she would miscarry. But now, only a few weeks from my son’s due date, everything is exactly how it should be.
“Are you feeling all right?” I brush my lips against the shell of her ear and feel her tremble in response.
“Perfect.” She smiles up at me, making my heart skip a beat.
“Because I’d be more than happy to kick everyone out so we can be alone.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “They want to celebrate with you. It’s a big night.”
Griffin approaches, slight hesitation in his eyes, like he hasn’t really forgiven himself, despite his numerous apologies. But he’s making a good recovery.
Theo offered him a job at the gym, training some of the new guys. It doesn’t pay much, but it’s something. A sense of purpose.
There’s been an influx of new fighters since Jason’s underground ring collapsed. Despite the evidence Izzy had on her phone, we never needed to use it. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one he’d been screwing with, and two months after the incident with Izzy, someone decided to take matters into their own hands.
Jason’s body was found in his car on the outskirts of town, overdosed on a bottle of Vicodin. The news reports never suspected foul play, but there were rumors.
“That was quite a fight,” Griffin says, fidgeting with his water bottle.
“Thanks, man. I’m glad you could come. Means a lot to me.”
He gives an awkward smile, which quickly turns into something more when Kate, Izzy’s eccentric friend, approaches.
There’s chemistry between the two of them. I’ve hinted at it with Griffin, despite Izzy’s constant protests that it would be weird for them to date, but he just shrugs it off, with an excuse that he’s not ready.
Still, Kate’s not one to take no for an answer.
“Hey, Griff.” Kate locks an arm through his, and looks up at him with unabashed desire. “I’ve got tickets for tomorrow’s Cirque du Soleil show if you’re interested.”
“Yeah, sure.” Griffin’s face reddens and he shuffles uncomfortably.
I have to bite to my tongue to keep from chuckling, because I know that no matter how hard Griffin tries to ignore his feelings, he’s already one hundred and twenty percent hooked.
Izzy gives a slight pout when the two of them walk away, Kate hanging off Griffin’s arm.
“Don’t give that look.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “She’s good for him.”
“Maybe.” She shrugs, then heaves a deep sigh.
“You look tired.”
“I am. Your son hasn’t stopped kicking me all night.” Her hands rest on my chest and she winces.
“What?” Concern draws my brows down.
“It’s just Braxton Hicks.”
“You’re sure that’s all it is?” I rub her belly, feeling another strong kick under my palm.
“I am a doctor,” she says indignantly. “I would know if I was in labor–” She winces again, this time her hand goes to her stomach and a small sheen of sweat beads her brow. “Oww.”
A mix of excitement and fear clenches my stomach, sending a wave of adrenaline racing through my veins.
“I’m taking you to the hospital.”
“No.” She shakes her head vigorously. “I am not having this baby in Las Vegas.”
/> I laugh and kiss her forehead. “Sweetheart, I don’t think you’ve got a choice in the matter.”
She grumbles under her breath, then her fingers grip my arm tightly and she goes pale. “Oh my God, I think my water just broke.”
I take her face between my palms and kiss her hard on the mouth. “This is happening.”
“Yeah.” She swallows hard, blue eyes filling with emotion. “It is.”
“All right, folks. Looks like we’re going to have to cut this party short, or at least move it to the maternity ward, because we’re about to have a baby.”
There’s a rush of excitement as we make our way through the hotel and down to the line of cabs that wait outside.
Eight hours later, I grip Izzy’s hand as she pushes one last time, and I hold my breath as my son enters the world.
His wails fill the room, and I think it might just be the best sound I’ve ever heard.
“Is he okay?” Izzy asks, a hint of panic in her voice as she looks to where they’re working on our son.
“Ten fingers and ten toes.” The nurse smiles and hands me the small bundle, now swaddled in a white blanket. “And a very healthy set of lungs.”
The minute he’s in my arms he settles down.
“He’s beautiful, Izzy.” His eyes are swollen like he’s just been in a fight, little fingers gripped tight in tiny fists. My little fighter. “Time to meet your Mommy.”
I place him in Izzy’s arms, choking back the emotions that rips through me.
Other than his mother, he’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“He looks like you.” Izzy coos at our son, stroking a finger over his cheek. “I can’t believe how much I love him already.”
I couldn’t agree more.
“You did so good, sweetheart.” I kiss her forehead, tears wetting my cheeks.
This is happiness.
They may still call me the Destroyer in the ring, but it’s not the name that defines me.
Because of Izzy I have a new identity – Husband, Father, Friend.
The championship belt I won is nothing compared to what I have right here.
Love.
Family.
This is the real prize.
Izzy glances up at me, tears shimmering in her blue eyes. “He’s perfect.”
He is. But so is she.
“I love you.” I choke on the words, overwhelmed by the beautiful life we’ve created. I take her hand and lift it to my mouth, kissing her palm. “Both of you.”
My comment brings a smile to the corners of her mouth, and she beams up at me. “We love you, too.” She glances down at our son and kisses the tip of his nose. “Don’t we Caden?”
“Caden?” I raise my eyebrows. “What happened to Samuel?”
She smiles down at our son. “He looks like a Caden.”
“Caden it is then.” I chuckle and shake my head, brushing my knuckles across his cheek. The second I do, he opens his eyes, and I swear he looks straight at me.
My chest constricts and I fall in love all over again.
I’ve been given a life most men dream of. It was a hard road getting here. Lonely and full of self-doubt. But the fight was worth it. I know there will be challenges in the future. But that’s part of the adventure. Our little family has a lifetime of memories before us, and I can’t wait to experience all of them with these two by my side.
About the Author
C.M. Seabrook is the author of Fighting Blind, Moody, and Melting Steel, as well as the Amazon bestselling fantasy romance Cara's Twelve, Therian Agents Paranormal Romance Series, and co-author of the Mated by Magic series.
When she isn't reading or writing sexy stories, she's most likely spending time with her family, cooking, singing, or racing between soccer, hockey and karate practices. She's living her own happily ever after with her husband of fifteen years and their two daughters.
She loves creating new exciting characters - from sexy, bad boy alphas, to the passionate, fiery women who love them.
Canadian born and bred, she started life in Edmonton, Alberta, and now resides in London, Ontario. She attended Western University where she graduated with an Honors degree in Anthropology.
Her guilty pleasures include red wine, pasta, binge watching Starz originals, and hanging out with her rescue pup, Jaxx.
She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached at [email protected]
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Check out Melting Steel
KEELEY
I know his type. Stuck up. Arrogant. The kind of guy who hasn't had to work for a damn thing his entire life. Even his name, Henry Caldwell III, reeks of privilege.
And me? Well, let's just say I come with more baggage than a 747 and enough bullsh*t to fuel it.
The problem is I want him. Crave him. It's the kind of pure, all-consuming, panty-soaking lust that can make a girl forget why she swore off men to begin with.
He thinks I need saving. But this isn't a Cinderella story, and he's no Prince Charming. At least not mine. I learned long ago that trusting any man with my heart isn't just dangerous - it can be deadly.
HENRY
Emotionally crippled, smart-mouthed, and sexy as sin, the woman is nothing I need and everything I want.
Despite her hard edges, tattoos, and reckless spirit, I know she craves more. More from life, more from love, more from me.
She thinks I'm just a trust fund brat and maybe she's right. But I've got secrets of my own. I know what darkness is. I've lived it - faced the pit of hell and barely survived.
The question is, am I strong enough to face it again? Because if I'm ever going to break through the steel wall she's placed around her heart, it'll mean facing demons we both thought were long dead and buried.
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Check out Fighting Blind
THEO
Mackenzie Brooks is everything I've ever wanted.
Three years ago, she walked out of my life. No explanation. Just gone.
With the biggest fight of my career only weeks away, she walked back in.
I'll do anything to protect her. Destroy anyone who tries to hurt her.
When it comes to Mac, there isn't a line I won't cross.
I've loved her my entire life, and now that's she's back I won't let her go.
She refuses to speak about the past, or the secrets I know she's hiding.
I know she's planning on running again. But when you love someone, you stay and fight.
Even if you're fighting blind.
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Moody: A Bad Boy Sports Romance Page 15