by Nichole Rose
"I love you," I whisper, pressing a kiss to her forehead before I climb out of bed to finish putting together the nursery.
"Asher," she sighs in her sleep, squeezing my heart in a vise.
I cover her up and then grab a pair of sweats before turning the lights off and heading back out to the living room. By the time I finish putting the dresser and changing table together, it's late. I manhandle them into the nursery, putting them in place where she wanted them.
They look good in the room. The top half of the walls are gray with the bottom half a deep purple that matches all the little accents she's bought to decorate the space. With the furniture in place, it looks like a little oasis. It's perfect for Kennedy and the baby. I know they're going to love it in here.
I head back out to the living room to clean up the mess. If I don't do it, Kennedy will as soon as she sees it. Between classes and her book, she has enough going on already. I don't want her stressing herself out trying to lug the boxes out to the dumpster.
I chuckle when I catch sight of her pizza and her phone. Striding across the room, I snag both off the couch. Her screen lights up where she never locks the shit. I've told her a thousand times she needs to put a lock on it in case she ever loses it, but she never listens. She's stubborn as hell.
I go to hit the button to put the screen back in sleep mode, only for my eyes to catch on the post she was writing.
This incredible man is already such an amazing father. We're so damn lucky to him. I can't wait to look into our daughter's eyes and see the best parts of him staring back at me.
"Jesus," I breath, my throat getting tight as I read the caption on the photo she took. My eyes fall closed, a wave of emotion coursing through me. It's peace and love and awe all at once, powerful and bright.
"We are lucky, you know," she says from behind me. Her body presses up against mine, her arms encircling my waist. She's naked and warm, soft and sweet. Her lips touch my back, over one of my tattoos. "So damn lucky."
"Nah, angel baby," I whisper, turning to face her. "I'm the lucky one."
Her sleepy smile steals another piece of my soul.
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See you soon with Protect You, Gia and Bryant's story in the Love on the Clock series! In the meantime, you can catch up with the series beginning with Adore You, Jason and Miranda's story!
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Also Available
Her Alpha Series
Her Alpha Daddy Next Door
Her Alpha Boss Undercover
Her Alpha's Secret Baby
Her Alpha Protector
Her Date with an Alpha
Her Alpha: The Complete Series
Her Bride Series
His Future Bride
His Stolen Bride
His Secret Bride
His Curvy Bride
His Captive Bride
His Blushing Bride
His Bride: The Complete Series
A Touch of Summer
His Christmas Miracle
Cutie Pie (coming soon)
Black Velvet (coming soon)
Claimed Series
Possessing Liberty
Teaching Rowan
Claiming Caroline
Kissing Kennedy
Claimed: The Complete Series
Love on the Clock Series
Adore You
Hold You
Keep You
Protect You (coming soon)
Love on the Clock: The Complete Series (coming soon)
About the Author
Nichole Rose is a short romance author returning to life on the West Coast after a long stint in the Dirty South. Her books feature headstrong, sassy women and the alpha males who consume them. From grumpy detectives to country boys with attitude to instalove and over-the-top declarations, nothing is off-limits.
Nichole is sure to have a steamy, sweet story just right for everyone. She fully believes the world is ugly enough without trying to fit falling in love into a one-size-fits-all box.
When not writing, Nichole enjoys fine wine, cute shoes, and everything supernatural. She is happily married to the love of her life and is a proud mama to the world's most ridiculous fur-babies.
You can learn more about Nichole and her books at her website or by liking her on Facebook or following her on Twitter and Instagram.