Page 174 of Slapshot Bride

My eyes widen. My mouth falls open. The blood rushing through my ears becomes so loud I can barely hear anything else.

Pregnant. Riley is pregnant.

She’s carrying my baby.

Our baby.

My gaze drops instinctively to her stomach even though there’s nothing to see yet, and something happens inside my chest that I don’t have a fucking name for. It’s too big, too sudden, too much.

“Our...” My voice breaks, and I have to swallow before I can try again. “Our baby?”

She nods quickly, tears already shining in her eyes.

“Our baby,” I repeat, because apparently those are the only two words I know anymore.

This time, she smiles.

And fuck me, that smile nearly brings me to my knees.

I’m going to be a father.

Riley is going to be the mother of my child.

There’s a tiny piece of both of us growing inside her right now, and suddenly the entire world feels different. Bigger somehow, while at the same time narrowing down to the woman standing in front of me and the baby I can’t even see yet.

Then the worst realization hits me.

Christ! I almost missed this. Missed our baby.

My throat is tight with welled-up emotions. I hug her again, tighter than before, if possible. I bury my face into her neck, and she holds me.

“God… baby, I almost missed this. Almost lost you and our child. I’m sorry for not coming sooner. For not coming for you when I came home, and you were gone. I should have…”

“Hey…” She taps my back lightly. “Don’t say that. None of this is your fault. And it’s all in the past now.”

I pull back to stare into her eyes.

I can’t believe she’s mine. All mine.

“Christ… you’re so sweet.”

I cup her face and lean in. I pause just before our lips can touch. I want to kiss her. Desperately, but I don’t know if she’s ready.

She doesn’t wait for me to decide. Her lips crash against mine.

The groan I let out is almost embarrassing, but I don’t care.

I’ve missed her so much. Missed kissing her, having her in my arms.

“I love you, Riley. Sweetheart, I love you so fucking much, it hurts.”

“I love you.” Her response comes in a small voice.

I tilt her face up until our eyes are locked. “Say that again, baby.”

“I love you, Easton. It was never fake for me. I love you, and I want all of you.”

I kiss her again. Not rushed. It’s soft and passionate, like I can’t get enough, and hell, I can’t.