Page 3 of Coming Innocent

She hadn’t told Austin yet, but her first two books were already written and edited by a friend of hers that works for the paper. Nikki wasn’t sure if Austin would want to read the romance novels, but she wanted to share them with him none-the-less. She had even considered submitting them to find a publisher.

Becoming an author had always been her dream, and now that she had the opportunity to work from home since Austin’s business had made him a millionaire, she had no excuse to hold herself back.

“What are you thinking so hard about over there?” he asks breaking her of her musings.

“Well, I…” she flusters unable to meet his eyes in nervousness.

Austin stands from his spot and moves towards her before crouching down to gaze at her lovingly.

“What is it, darlin’?”

“Well, I finished the two books I had been working on and…you’ll probably think it’s silly, but I was thinking of sending them off to find a publisher.”

“Really? Nikki, that’s remarkable. Do you know who to send them to? Can I read them?”

Her eyes widen in surprise at his request.

“You really want to read them? You know they’re romance novels, right?”

“Of course, I want to read them. I want to read anything you do.”

“Ok, I can give you the editor’s copy. And I think I need to find an agent first, at least if I want to brand out to some of the bigger publishers.”

“I’m really proud of you. I can’t wait to read them.”

“You’re not just saying that?” she questions skeptically while she adheres the second to last plate on the candelabra.

“No way. And when we finish these I’m going to take you back to our bedroom and show you how fucking proud of you I am.”

Her cheeks heat with his implied words and she takes a deep breath as she adheres the last plate.

“What did you have in mind?” Nikki asks as she grips the edge of the dresser to help move into a standing position.

Austin doesn’t speak; instead, he cradles her face in his hands and kisses her passionately. His lips take ownership of hers, their tongues tasting the sweetness of their mouths.

“Austin,” she moans as she unsuccessfully tries to press her body closer to his, but her burgeoning stomach is in the way.

Without hesitation, Austin steps back, leans down, and scoops her into his arms. He cradles her as if she is precious cargo that weighs little more than a pillow.

“Don’t worry, darlin’. I’ll take care of you.”

Once they enter the bedroom and he gently lays her body on the bed he proceeds to spend the next hour worshiping her body and reminding her why she was nothing less than perfect to him.

Chapter Two

LOGAN HOPS OUT OF the SUV the moment he put the vehicle in park behind the fenced in barricade for the new clinic. He skirts around the front of the car and opens Avery’s door wide so he can assist her down from the cab.

His hands rest gently on her hips, and as if she hasn’t gained forty pounds, lifts her effortlessly from the vehicle. He holds her close, as close as her protruding stomach will allow, and kisses her gently.

She has to stifle back a giggle when one of the babies kicks at her stomach as her husband presses closer, his tongue licking at the seam of her lips.

“They’re not even born yet and they’re already cock blocking me,” he says with a groan as he tilts his face towards the bright spring sky.

“Don’t take it personally; they’ve been jumping on my bladder for the past few weeks. I am pretty sure that I can’t sneeze without causing a catastrophe.”

He looks at her lovingly, his mouth curving into the sexy smirk she loves so dearly, and his eyes crinkle in the corners just a tad. Avery loves him fiercely, but when he looks at her like this, she can feel that love all the way to the tips of her toes, squeezing her heart for all it’s worth.

The door leading through the entrance of the building slides open and Brooks appears before them.