Page 95 of Promise

I gently squeeze her arm. “So let’s think about something else?”

“Like what?” she says, shifting her head to look up at me.

I run my hand over her shoulder. “Well, I got this new gig.” I can’t fight the smile, and it fills my voice. “And I’m wondering if you could offer some advice. What’s a good field trip for a two-month-old?”

Trinity playfully slaps my belly. I clap my hand over hers.

“Let’s see,” I say. “I could take her on a walk.” I tip-toe my fingers down her arm.

“We could visit the lavender farm.” I twist, rolling Trinity on her back. Then I nuzzle my nose into her neck. “Smell all the pretty flowers.”

“Dart,” she giggles. “You’re so ridiculous.”

“We could watch the butterflies dance.” I run my finger up her middle, between her breasts to her neck, where I skim my fingers over her skin.

Trinity ducks her chin while shivering.

“And what about you, Trin? What kind of field trips do you want to take?”

She stills beneath me, and I stare down at her, wanting to know what kind of plans she has for the future. We haven’t taken many trips. Maybe it’s time we do.

“I don’t know. I don’t mind a good hike.” She walks her fingers up my chest and around my shoulders.

“What else?” I ask, noticing how my breath is raspy.

“We haven’t been to the beach in a long time.” She stares back at me, looking me right in the eyes, as her fingers dance over my belly.

The river doesn’t have a beach, but there’s a lake nearby.

“Swimming sounds good.” My breath hitches as her fingers skate closer to my waistband.

“Ticklish?” she questions, arching a brow. “I don’t remember that about you.”

“I remember that you are.” I dig my fingers into her side, forcing her hands from my belly, where she’ll get a big surprise if she isn’t careful.

She squirms and squeals, letting out a squawk, and then covers her mouth with her hand. Her eyes widen, begging me to stop, and as soon as she slings her leg over mine, I do.

Because I’m hard and she’s soft, and she’s lined up against me.

We both freeze.

“Is that for me?” she whispers.

“Always.” This is what she does to me. My body reacts to her nearness. My heart races with her laughter. My soul calls to her.

She slips her leg off mine. “I only meant to sleep with you.” Rest. She means rest.

“Then let’s do that, baby.” I straighten her nightdress over her hips and then pull her to me, tucking her head below my chin. With my arm around her back and her hand on my chest, my mind drifts.

I see us taking a hike in the woods, Mirabelle in a baby sling or infant backpack. I see us sitting by the beach, dipping Mirabelle’s toes in the water. I see us pointing out butterflies and birds and teaching her about both.

And it’s all such a nice dream, I’m afraid to close my eyes.

But when Trinity relaxes against me, I can’t help but drift off to dreamland.

My dreams all sweeter because of her.

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