It was a charming old building with double doors and stone steps.
The man who married us was short with a mustache. He spoke with a heavy French accent. “We don't get a lot of people coming in here to get married. Especially not those as well-known as you two.”
Leo smiled, but I could tell he didn’t understand what the man said. I stifled a giggle.
But the official treated us the way I expect he treated most people—he was kind and didn't ask a lot of questions, which we were grateful for.
There were no cameras, and the only attendant was my assistant.
I held a simple bouquet of white roses and a flower crown one of my housekeepers made for me.
As we said our vows, and I looked into Leo's eyes, I saw my future.
The love in his eyes told me that he was right—this time it was forever.
Afterward, instead of a big reception, we had a lovely dinner just the two of us—well three, if you included my enormous belly—on the terrace outside my villa.
“Remember the island in St. Lucia where we stayed?” Leo asked.
“Yes, of course. It was amazing.”
“I probably should’ve waited until after I found out if you would marry me or not, but I didn’t.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, glancing up from my meal.
“I bought it. Consider it a wedding present.”
“What the—?” I almost choked on my food. “You bought that island?”
“I did. I always thought it would be a great place to raise a family—kids running around, but even if it wasn't for a family, I figured I could use it as a retreat. I found it to be such an inspirational place for my writing.”
“Leo, that place is beautiful. I love it.”
“What do you say we live there? At least for a while. Until we think of something different we want to do.”
“Oh, Leo, that sounds perfect.”
A place away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi and the overreaching arm of the Barnes matriarch.
It sounded heavenly.
I really didn't want to raise my children in the spotlight, so I was in love with the idea of being somewhat isolated. We could always fly back and forth to other places if we needed to.
After dinner, Leo said he wanted to go for a swim.
Before I knew it he’d stripped down and was about to jump in the pool.
But just before he did, I stopped him.
He had a name tattooed on his back.
That was new.
“Come here. Let me see what’s on your back.”
He groaned in protest, but brought his incredibly chiseled naked body over to me anyway.
His cock twitched, but I made a point to ignore what was happening below the waist. “Turn around. I want to see what’s on your back. Is that a new tattoo?”
He turned around so I could see the wide tattoo that covered his upper back.
It was a name. My name. And a crown.
“Oh my God, Leo. Is it permanent?”
He nodded.
“When did you do that?”
“Couple months after we broke up.”
“What if things hadn’t worked out between us? That's not the kind of tattoo you can have removed.”
“I know. It was a form of self-flagellation. I figured that worst-case scenario, if we never got back together… If I was with another woman and she gave me hell about it… Every time I heard it I would beat myself up again over the way I treated you. Like I’d deserve it for not having the balls to claim you and say to hell with everything else.”
“That's kind of true.” I laughed, and he nodded.
“But I was so mad at myself that I threw our relationship away that I wanted to keep a piece of you with me always”—he shrugged—“so I tattooed your name on my back.”
“Why not on your front?” I teased.
“Because I couldn’t bear to see your name every time I looked in the mirror. Pretty fucked up, huh?”
“Aww, baby.” I opened my arms to him, and feeling his naked body made me want to get rid of my clothes too.
“Get in the water with me,” he rasped before walking toward the pool and jumping in.
When his head came up, I responded, “I don't know how you're going to feel about my maternity bathing suit.”
As much as I was enjoying pregnancy, I was a little self-conscious about my body and its blossoming state.
“So don’t wear one. Just jump in.”
As self-conscious as I was, floating in the pool was one of the most enjoyable parts of my pregnancy. Weightlessness really helped ease the strain of carrying the baby around all day.
What the hell? I decided. The man was my husband, and it was his baby making me so big.
Setting aside my insecurities, I waddled to the side of the pool, took off my clothes, and quickly hopped in so the water would cover me.
Leo swam over to embrace me.
He tried to kiss me, but it was awkward. My belly was in the way.
“Can we even have sex?” Leo asked. “I mean, what would your doctor say? Is it safe for you and the baby?”
“I haven't really had the occasion to ask, but everything I've read about it says it's fine.”
“Tell you what, lie back and float on your back.”
“Okay,” I said tentatively.
I did as he suggested, rolling onto my back. My exposed belly and breasts floated atop the water.
Leo’s hands traveled over my body, touching me, exploring me, and instead of looking at his face, I stared up at the sky. The stars twinkled brightly against the black night sky. It seemed like whenever I was with Leo, there were so many more stars in the sky. It had been like that in Iceland, in St. Lucia, and now here.
My world was more complete with him in it.
He toyed with my pussy, teasing me, pushing in and out, pinching my clit lightly, rolling it between his fingers, making me squirm and buck against his hand.
His mouth covered one of my breasts and then the other. Licking, suckling, driving me insane with desire until I begged him to fuck me.
“My God you're gorgeous. I don't think I’ve ever seen you this radiant,” he said, dragging me into the more shallow end. There, he hooked my legs around his waist. His erection pressed hard against my swollen entrance.
“Are you sure it's okay?”
I tilted my pelvis up, spurring him on. “Yes! I want you. So bad. Please.”
He slid inside my slick folds and pumped his hips, plunging his cock deep inside me.
“Leo,” I cried.
He felt so damn good.
It had been way too long.
As he thrust inside me, he made waves in the pool that lapped over my breasts.
He took hold of my breasts and played with my nipples until they were hard points. My breasts were more sensitive because of my pregnancy, so when he squeezed and kneaded between his fingers, my body began to involuntarily spasm with the release that only my husband could provide.
“My God I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He thrust into me a few more times, before I felt him erupt inside me.
After he pulled out, he held me close, his arms folding around my belly. His lips tickling my neck. It made me smile how quickly Leo had worked around my new girth and found ways to be close to me.
With our fingers entwined, we splashed gently atop the water, watching the water trickle down our fingers.
In that moment, my life was perfect.
I knew fresh challenges would be just around the corner, but Leo and I would have each other to help face them.
What he’d done by purchasing the island for us—that secured our future. One I wouldn’t have been able to imagine a year ago.
We were about to have a baby, and I couldn’t have been more excited to share that experience with him.
There was really only one thing I hadn’t told him about. Sharing this piece of myself wouldn’t be
easy.
In fact, I was downright scared. But I believed now that I could trust him.
“Hey, Leo.”
“Yes, babe.”
“There’s something I want you to read…”
Also by Normandie Alleman
Myths Retold
Secret Husband
Elusive
Her Creator
Web Master Trilogy
In eBook, Print, & Audiobook
Her Web Master
Tested by Her Web Master
Claimed by Her Web Master
Barnes Family Romances
In eBook, Print, & Audiobook
The Baller’s Secret Baby
Machine: A Bad Boy Romance
The Bishop’s Desire
Royal Wrecker
The Barnes Family Romances (Books 1-3)
The Daddy’s Girl Series
In eBook, Print, & Audio
Daddy Morebucks
Daddy’s Game
Poor Little Daddy’s Girl
Becoming Daddy’s Girl
The Daddy’s Girl Collection (Books 1-3)
Pirates of the Jolie Rouge Trilogy
Rescued by the Buccaneer
Bound by the Buccaneer
Tamed by the Buccaneer
Pirates of the Jolie Rouge Trilogy (books 1-3)
Standalone Titles
Surrender to a SEAL
Taken by the Tycoon
The Professor’s Plaything
Daddy Knows Best
Venice Bound
Co-Authored Books
With USA Today Bestselling Author Jani Kay
Wanted
Writing as N. Allman with J.Chase
The Beast’s Baby
The Biker’s Baby
Falling for the Hitman
Toy
Anthologies/Collections
Little Haven
Tease to Please
Souls and Shadows
About the Author
A former psychologist, Normandie has always been fascinated by human behavior. She loves writing quirky characters that are all too human. The shamelessly proud basketball mom lives on a farm with a houseful of teenagers, an adorable husband, and a pet pig who’s crazy for Red Bull.
If you’d like up to the minute new release info on Normandie’s books text RACYREADS to 251-300-5441.
Royal Wrecker: Barnes Family Romances Book 4 Page 17