HAPPY FOREVER AFTER

Her eyelids grew heavy as he slowly, ever so slowly, lowered his head until their mouths were so close but not yet touching. The moment stretched on, their breaths mingling, their gazes never breaking apart.

His head moved closer but he didn’t touch her. Instead, his mouth hovered tantalisingly close to hers, the expression in his eyes knowing and wickedly sexy as he prolonged the torture for both of them.

Her stomach tumbled and her senses hummed and when finally he brushed his lips over hers. His lips were cool and the tip of his tongue gently caressed her lower lip.

He kissed her fully then.

It was the most romantic, exquisite kiss she’d ever been given. It was a kiss that told her more than words ever could that this man cherished her. He wanted her. He would have her.

Heat exploded inside her and she made a soft sound in her throat and leaned against him, seeking more. Her eyes closed, but still she saw stars as everything inside her erupted with excitement.

His fingers closed hard around her arms and his body shifted against hers.

“Hell, Emma…Baby” he murmured. He kissed her some more. This time his mouth came down hard, his kiss sending bolts of electricity through her body, and she clutched at him for support as he drew the fire from deep inside her with the skilled, sensual stroke of his tongue. And she kissed him back, her tongue toying with his in a kiss that was both intimate and erotic. His hands dropped from her face and slid down her back, pulling her against him in a movement that was unmistakably possessive.

And when he finally pulled his mouth away, he tugged her into his arms and stood holding her tight as the moon bathed them in pale light.

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Emma pulled the nightgown over her head and warily glanced down her body. There was no doubt the garment was beautiful. A concoction of lace and satin that floated over her skin and molded to all the contours.

But she felt far too exposed. Her breasts looked too…big. Her belly looked enormous. Thank God she couldn’t see her feet. She eyed her door, knowing she was supposed to go to Daniel’s room after she’d undressed and gotten ready for bed, but she couldn’t seem to make herself take those few steps.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be with Daniel. She did… So much. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him. No, it was herself she didn’t trust. She’d already made a big enough fool of herself when it came to this man. Once back in his arms, snuggled up close to him, she’d probably lose what little common sense she had left.

She was also so worried about the way she looked too. Being pregnant had really changed the way she looked and she wasn’t sure what he would think since they hadn’t been together since she got pregnant. Or maybe she was just worried for nothing. She thought. Daniel had said that they were just going to sleep.

She sighed and sank onto the edge of her bed. Her hesitation was just another sad indication of the rift in their relationship. She’d never been inhibited this way around Daniel before.

She remembered when they were together. One time he was propped up in bed with his laptop, his brow creased in concentration as he worked on who knew what. She had crawled into bed with exactly nothing on and teased and taunted him until his laptop and work were forgotten.

He laughingly said one day that he knew better than to bring work home whenever she was around because she never let him get away with it. And now she couldn’t even bring herself to walk into his bedroom. She sighed deeply.

A knock sounded at her door and then it opened a crack. Daniel stuck his head in. He stopped when he saw her sitting on the bed.

“Everything okay?” he asked, his eyebrows drawn together.

She nodded.

He eased the door all the way open and walked in. He stood in front of her for a moment and then sat down on the bed next to her. He didn’t say anything.

He simply laid his hand on her lap, palm up, and waited for her to take it.

After a moment, she slid her hand over his. He twined his fingers through hers and squeezed gently. Then he stood and pulled her to her feet.

“We’re both tired,” he said. “I realized that maybe we still need some time to get to the place we were before. I’m not going to do anything till I’m sure you are ready. So let’s turn in and we’ll worry about tomorrow when it gets here.”

That didn’t sound like the Daniel she knew. Emma thought. He was a man who planned everything to the nth degree. He had schedules, lists, planners, calendars. He not only worried about tomorrow, but the next year as well.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

He led her into his bedroom and motioned for her to get into bed. He hung back, maybe out of deference to her obvious unease. Taking a deep breath, she crawled beneath the covers and turned so she’d face away from him when he got in.

The bed dipped behind her, and she felt his warmth as soon as he slid beneath the covers. He moved about for a few seconds and then the next thing she knew, he was flush against her back.

He wrapped one arm over her and pulled her in close. He nuzzled her hair before resting his cheek over her ear.

It was all she could do not to break down. It had been so long and it felt so right. Just like so many other nights in his arms. She’d missed him.

Unbelievably, she’d missed him.

“No past,” he murmured in her ear. “Just us. Right now.”

She closed her eyes. He was right. She needed to relax and focus on the future. She thought about the baby and the thought was particularly effective.

Daniel kissed her neck and snuggled a little closer. He cupped his hand over her belly affectionately and Emma smiled. This was how it should have been between them all along. She thought.

“Relax and go to sleep, Emma.” Daniel said softly. “I just want to hold you.”

And that was what she wanted too.