by Celia Aaron
“He’s not eating sweets, is he?”
“Not really. Laura knows he’s supposed to eat lunch first. She only gave him a handful of jellybeans.” He kissed my forehead and kept rubbing.
“That’s sweets.” I threw my hands up. “Whatever. No one listens to the preggo lady around here.”
“Yes we do.” He dug his thumbs in, unwrapping my tight muscles like a Christmas present.
“I’m just irritable.”
“We know.” He laughed and kissed me again.
“Twins are your fault.”
“You may have mentioned that a couple hundred times. Though, I don’t think it’s true.”
Sin moved around and sat opposite me, putting my feet in his lap. He knocked my house shoes off and rubbed my swollen feet. “Spread your legs a little more.”
I tilted my head at him. “What?”
“You heard me.”
“I did but—”
“Do it.” He used that tone—the one that sent a thrill through me every time.
I slowly opened my legs.
“Pull up your skirt more.”
“Sin.” I shook my head.
“Stella. Do it now.” He dug his thumb into the bottom of my foot.
I grabbed the material and pulled until my skirt hit mid-thigh.
“Much better.” He continued rubbing, his gaze vacillating from my eyes to between to my legs.
My body warmed as he watched me. “You’re a bad man.”
“So I’ve been told.” He switched feet. “As soon as Teddy’s down for a nap, I’ll be going down on you.”
My temperature kicked up a notch. “Bad, bad man.”
He shrugged. “What? I can’t give my pregnant wife the special attention she deserves?”
One of the babies kicked what must have been a vital organ. I groaned and rubbed my belly with a vengeance. “Twins are all your fault.”
“Actually they’re not.” Teddy walked into the dining room, his green scrubs making him look older.
I closed my legs and wrinkled my nose. “What do you know? You’re not even a real doctor yet.”
I huffed as he leaned down and pecked me on the cheek.
“Okay, you’re right. It is all Sin’s fault.”
“Much better. I thought you were in rounds or something all day?”
“Nope. Got done this morning. Wanted to come by and see little T. And check on you, of course.”
“I’m fine. I mean, I would like to have my body back to myself, but other than that, I’m good.”
“I could do like a check or something. See how your cervix is dilating—”
“Don’t even think about it.” Sin squeezed my foot tighter.
“Teddy was kidding. Right?”
“Yeah, kidding. Little T in the kitchen?”
“He takes after his namesake. He’s in there charming Laura right out from under you.” I smiled up at him.
“That’s my man.” He pushed through the door to the kitchen.
Sin rubbed my feet for a little while longer. “Have you thought any more about names?”
“Yes.” I set my feet down and leaned forward, resting my head on his chest.
“I know we discussed lots of different ones, but I’ve been thinking… What about Rebecca and Renee?”
He stayed silent and pulled me closer.
“If you don’t want to, that’s okay. Those names obviously carry some baggage. But I thought it would be—”
“I love it.” He tilted my chin up and pressed his lips to mine.
Little Teddy toddled in, both uncles hot on his heels.
“Mommy, jay bees!” He held out a hand with two jellybeans stuck to it.
“I see that.” I shook my head.
He ran to Sin, who picked him up and sat him in his lap. Sin whispered in his ear. Teddy’s eyes lit up, and Sin pointed at me. “Tell her.”
“I love you, Mommy.” His smile, so much like his father’s, was infectious.
“I love you, too.”
Sin cupped his hands around Teddy’s ear and whispered again.
“Daddy love you, Mommy.”
“I love Daddy, too.”
Laura bustled in from the kitchen with lunch, and before long we were all laughing at big Teddy’s and little Teddy’s antics.
I lay my head on Sin’s shoulder, and he pulled me close. The long shadow of the Acquisition no longer darkened our doorstep, and the nightmares were nothing more than ghosts.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you, reader, for giving me your most valuable asset—your time. This has been a dark and twisted journey, one I’m glad you’ve taken with me. This story is over, but there are more to tell. I hope you’ll come along with me on some new adventures—some dark, some light—in the near future.
There are so many people who helped this series go from a dream to words on a page. My family, who let me run off for days on end to get this story out of my head. My friends, who encouraged me to keep writing. And the readers who chatted with me, made fabulous art, or wrote beautiful reviews.
Thank you to Mr. Aaron for going over just how depraved I could get and working through different scenarios for Acquisition payback. Thank you to Sloane Howell, my first line of editing defense and my writing bestie. Thanks to Jeff, for doing the heavy lifting on comma placement and my overuse of the word “but.” Thanks to Rachel at The Saucy Owl for being my beta guinea pig.
Thanks to Neda, who is awesome at PR and life in general. Thanks to my Acquisitions, the most supportive bunch of readers a gal could have. Thanks to Vivian at Beaute de Livres, Terilyn, SueBee, The Literary Gossip, Irene, the PinkLadies, Leia, Warhawke, Jabberwocky, Kay, Shhluts, Heather, PopKitty, Agents of Romance, GetYourSmutOn, WhoSheReads, Samantha, Sissy, Lin (my first fan ever), and every other blogger, reader, supporter, or person who has sent me a note or just followed me on social media (if I left anyone out, I’m sorry, but the Oscar music started playing and they dragged me off stage).
Readers and book lovers like you are what keep me writing. You keep doing you, and I’ll keep doing me. And we can all dream that we keep doing Sin.
PS Keep your eyes peeled for Cash Remington and the Missing Heiress, out in May. I hear Cash is up to some shenanigans. He’s a real character.
Short Sexy Reads by Celia Aaron
F*ck of the Irish
The Hard and Dirty Holidays
Eamon is my crush, the one guy I can’t stop thinking about. His Irish accent, toned body, and sparkling eyes captivated me the second I saw him. But since he slept with my roommate, who claims she still loves him, he’s been off limits. Despite my prohibition on dating him, he has other other ideas. Resisting him is the key to keeping my roommate happy, but giving in may bring me more pleasure than I ever imagined.
A Stepbrother for Christmas
The Hard and Dirty Holidays
Annalise dreads seeing her stepbrother at her family’s Christmas get-together. Niles had always been so nasty, tormenting her in high school after their parents had gotten married. British and snobby, Niles did everything he could to hurt Annalise when they were younger. Now, Annalise hasn’t seen Niles in three years; he’s been away at school in England and Annalise has started her pre-med program in Dallas. When they reconnect, dark memories threaten, sparks fly, and they give true meaning to the “hard and dirty holidays.”
Bad Boy Valentine
The Hard and Dirty Holidays
Jess has always been shy. Keeping her head down and staying out of sight have served her well, especially when a sexy photographer moves in across the hall from her. Michael has a budding career, a dark past, and enough ink and piercings to make Jess’ mouth water. She is well equipped to watched him through her peephole and stalk him on social media. But what happens when the bad boy next door comes knocking?
Bad Boy Valentine Wedding
The Hard and Dirty Holidays
Jess and Michael have been engaged for three years, waiting patiently
for Jess to finish law school before taking the next step in their relationship. As the wedding date approaches, their dedication to each other only grows, but outside forces seek to tear them apart. The bad boy will have to fight to keep his bride and Jess will have to trust him with her whole heart to make their happy ending a reality.
***
Forced by the Kingpin
Forced Series, Book 1
I’ve been on the trail of the local mob kingpin for months. I know his haunts, habits, and vices. The only thing I didn’t know was how obsessed he was with me. Now, caught in his trap, I’m about to find out how far he and his local cop-on-the-take will go to keep me silent.
Forced by the Professor
Forced Series, Book 2
I’ve been in Professor Stevens’ class for a semester. He’s brilliant, severe, and hot as hell. I haven’t been particularly attentive, prepared, or timely, but he hasn’t said anything to me about it. I figure he must not mind and intends to let me slide. At least I thought that was the case until he told me to stay after class today. Maybe he’ll let me off with a warning?
Forced by the Hitmen
Forced Series, Book 3
I stayed out of my father’s business. His dirty money never mattered to me, so long as my trust fund was full of it. But now I’ve been kidnapped by his enemies and stuffed in a bag. The rough men who took me have promised to hurt me if I make a sound or try to run. I know, deep down, they are going to hurt me no matter what I do. Now I’m cuffed to their bed. Will I ever see the light of day again?
Forced by the Stepbrother
Forced Series, Book 4
Dancing for strange men was the biggest turn on I’d ever known. Until I met him. He was able to control me, make me hot, make me need him, with nothing more than a look. But he was a fantasy. Just another client who worked me up and paid my bills. Until he found me, the real me. Now, he’s backed me into a corner. His threats and promises, darkly whispered in tones of sex and violence, have bound me surer than the cruelest ropes. At first I was unsure, but now I know – him being my stepbrother is the least of my worries.
Forced by the Quarterback
Forced Series, Book 5
For three years, I’d lusted after Jericho, my brother’s best friend and quarterback of our college football team. He’s never paid me any attention, considering me nothing more than a little sister he never had. Now, I’m starting freshman year and I’m sharing a suite with my brother. Jericho is over all the time, but he’ll never see me as anything other than the shy girl he met three years ago. But that’s not who I am. Not really. To get over Jericho – and to finally get off – I’ve arranged a meeting with HardcoreDom. If I can’t have Jericho, I’ll give myself to a man who will master me, force me, and dominate me the way I desperately need.
***
Zeus
Taken by Olympus, Book 1
One minute I’m looking after an injured gelding, the next I’m tied to a luxurious bed. I never believed in fairy tales, never gave a second thought to myths. Now that I’ve been kidnapped by a man with golden eyes and a body that makes my mouth water, I’m not sure what I believe anymore. . . But I know what I want.
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