by Tina Martin
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You’ve just finished reading, The Best Thing He Never Knew He Needed. Continue reading for a BONUS chapter, The Studio Reveal, beginning on the next page!
Discover more of The Champion Brothers Series Books:
Read Dante’s story in His Paradise Wife (The Champion Brothers).
Read Dimitrius’ story in When A Champion Wants You (The Champion Brothers).
Can’t get enough of The Champion Brothers? Catch up with the brothers and their wives as they explore the ups and downs family life in Book 4, coming soon.
The Studio Reveal (Book Extra)
Two Months Later
Desmond brought the jeep to a stop in the parking lot of Sherita’s new studio, then shut off the engine. Finally, the building had been renovated just the way he wanted it, and it was time to surprise her with it.
“Does that mean I can take off this blindfold now?” Sherita asked.
He looked over at her. “No. Not yet, baby. I’m going to get out, come around and get you, okay. No cheating.”
Sherita grinned. “Okay.” She didn’t know what the big surprise was all about, but she did know that wherever they were, it wasn’t far from home. Desmond had only been driving for ten minutes, and that was with a couple of stoplights included.
Desmond opened her door. “Be very careful. I’m going to help you out.”
“Okay, Des.”
He took her hand, then turned her legs in the direction of the door. “I’m going to lift you and lower your feet to the ground. Ready?”
“Yes. I’m ready.”
Desmond successfully lowered her to the ground and, after pushing the door closed, he took her hand and began taking a few steps to the building. Then he untied the blindfold.
“It’s a building. A pretty building, but still, it’s a building,” Sherita said, grinning.
“It’s not just any building, baby. It’s your new studio.”
Sherita’s body trembled. “My what?
“You heard me. This is your studio.”
Sherita looked at the building again, while absently placing her hand on her plump, round belly. At six months, her stomach had stretched and formed into a beautiful home for Desmond’s twins, and as her mother had suspected, she was carrying well.
“I didn’t have a business name put on it yet because I have no idea what you want the name of your business to be. Once you get it nailed down, I’ll have the sign custom made and installed wherever you would like it.”
Her lips quivered. “Des, how did you—?”
“I listen. Even when you don’t think I’m listening, I hear you. Your dreams are my dreams, too. I knew you wanted a studio, so I made it happen.”
“Just like that?”
“Yep. Just like that,” he said, taking her hand. “Come on. Let’s go in.”
He took a set of keys from his pocket, handing them to her and watched as she unlocked the door. When she stepped inside, her eyes widened to take in the fancy design of the place – from the snazzy sky lights to the plum purple paint on the walls.
Sherita walked closer to the walls when she noticed they were decorated with photos, all in black and white. But they weren’t just any photos – they were pictures she’d taken throughout the years, all blown up to larger sizes and printed in black and white.
Tears fell from her eyes. “Des,” she said faintly, her left hand on her heart, her right hand fanning her face.
Desmond circled his arms around her. “You’re not going to faint on me, are you?”
“This is…this is beautiful,” she said tearfully.
“So are you, princess.” Desmond cupped her face between his hands and took a kiss from her lips. “Now, let me show you the rest of the place.” Holding her hand, he showed her the studio rooms, with different themed backdrops on the walls.
In the bathrooms, Sherita was excited to see more of her pictures used for the décor on the walls. And her office – it was a dream workspace. She had a desk in the center of the room, a couch, conference room table with six chairs, a water fountain that reminded her of the one from their basement and lush, green plants near the windows.
Walking closer to the desk, she saw two picture frames – their wedding photo and a picture of the two of them with Ezra and Grace.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
She looked up at him, watching as he leaned against the door frame looking sexy as can be in the black peacoat he wore that accentuated his strong jawline. Every time she looked at him, he took her breath away. For a moment, she just stared, thinking about all the things he’d done for her. The surprise wedding ceremony, two months ago, nearly blew her away. Then he transitioned to working out of his home office full-time so he could be with her during the last few months of the pregnancy. He could’ve very easily hired someone to help her, but he wanted to do it – wanted to make sure she was okay without having to worry.
Realizing how extremely overprotective he was of her, and how it all went back to his parent’s death, Desmond decided that therapy would be good for him. He was grateful that his brothers came along for support. He wanted to be the best man he could possibly be for his children, the best husband he could be for his wife, and he recognized he couldn’t do that by holding on to emotional baggage from tragedies of the past. He had to let that go.
Desmond walked over to her as she stood beside the desk, seemingly at a loss for words. He brushed tears away from her face. “Rita, baby, do you like it?”
“I love it, Desmond.”
“Good,” he said, lowering his mouth to hers, fully taking control, breathing in heavily and out forcefully as if he was satisfying a craving.
When they separated, Sherita said, “They’re kicking again.” The babies usually kicked whenever Desmond kissed her like this, that is, when they were awake.
Desmond smiled. “Good. They need to know how much I love their mother.” He kissed her again, deeper than before.
And the babies kicked again…
“Every time I turn around, I see y’all kissing,” Dimitrius said, interrupting them.
Desmond and Sherita looked at the door and smiled, watching Dimitrius walk in. Melanie, holding Grace, came in as well. Then emerged Dante, holding Ezra. Emily was right behind him.
“You guys made it,” Desmond said. He then turned to Sherita and said, “They’ve been dying to see this place. I told them you had to see it first.”
“This is nice, Des,” Dante said. “You went all-out, huh?”
“I did. I put my heart and soul into this. That’s what my lady deserves.” Desmond took a kiss from Sherita’s cheek.
“Aw…that’s so sweet,” Emily said. She walked over to Sherita and embraced her. “Were you surprised?”
“Yes. Very much so,” Sherita responded. “I didn’t expect this at all.”
“Well, you certainly deserve it,” Melanie said.
Grace began whining and trying to wiggle out of Melanie’s arms. “Grace, sweetheart, where do you think you’re going?” Melanie asked.
“You know where she’s trying to go,” Desmond said, walking towards her. “She wants her Uncle Des. Come here, Gracie.” He took her into his arms and gently bounced her up and down. She’d since stop crying and even flashed a smile at him.
“Look at him,” Dimitrius said. “Preparing for fatherhood, Des.”
“He doesn’t need to prepare,” Dante said. “He’s already a natural.”
Sherita smiled. “He is, isn’t he?” She dabbed her eyes.
Desmond looked at Sherita, his gaze locking with hers. He replayed in his mind how, just months ago, he had told her he didn’t want marriage and a family. Now he had it. He had it all. He had her, and soon, he would have some little Champion babies to love right along with her.
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Discover other books by Tina Martin:
His Paradise Wife (The Champion Brothers)
When A Champion Wants You (The Champion Brothers)
Evenings With Bryson (The Blackstone Family)
Accidental Deception, The Accidental Series, Book 1
Accidental Heartbreak, The Accidental Series, Book 2
Accidental Lovers, The Accidental Series, Book 3
What Donovan Wants, The Accidental Series, Book 4
Dying To Love Her
Dying To Love Her 2
Dying To Love Her 3
The Millionaire’s Arranged Marriage (The Alexanders, Book 1)
Watch Me Take Your Girl (The Alexanders, Book 2)
Her Premarital Ex (The Alexanders, Book 3)
The Object of His Obsession (The Alexanders, Book 4)
Secrets On Lake Drive
Can’t Just Be His Friend
All Falls Down
Just Like New to the Next Man
Vacation Interrupted
The Crush
For more information about the author and upcoming releases, visit her website at www.tinamartin.net.