Laughing, Joey threw his head back. “Not that. Well, always that, but I built you something a few weeks ago that has never been used. I thought it was time.”
He laid out the towels on the ground near the fire pit and started to add kindling and twigs he had stacked there for future use. Within a few minutes he had a nice little blaze going. After pulling up a hose from along the side of the house, Joey joined her on the towels, adjusting her so she was lying in his arms.
For a few minutes, Marti simply laid there, alternating between staring up at him and enjoying the flickering flames. Finally she spoke. “You couldn’t have this life with anyone else.”
Giving her a squeeze, he nodded. “Oh, I know. Why do you think I’m here? Why do you think we’re together? You, Marti, are something.”
After being so unhappy with Blaine for so long, Marti soaked up his compliments like a plant thirsting for water. “What kind of something? Like...they should name something after me?”
Chuckling, he kissed her temple. “Oh, absolutely. Don’t they have names for all the natural disasters?” Then he braced himself for the jabs, which were to come. Once he had blocked a few playful punches, Joey held her close. “Hurricane Marti. You blew through my life, changing everything. I’ll never be the same,” he murmured. “For that, I’m eternally grateful. I’ll love you forever, Marti almost Masters.”
Laying her hand on the side of his face, she stared into his eyes. “I like the sound of that.”
When she heard water running, she panicked. Peeking into the bathroom, Marti saw it was only the sink. Joey was bent over the vanity, brushing his teeth, wearing nothing but boxer briefs. “Don’t even think about getting in that shower before me,” she warned. “I have a doctor’s appointment and need to leave in twenty minutes. It’s an ultrasound this time.”
Looking disappointed, he slowly made his way back to the bed and pulled up the covers while Marti picked clothes from the closet and drawers and readied them on the bed. “You know, you could join me in the shower,” she teased.
Sitting up in bed, Joey perked right up. “Oh yeah?” He was about to throw back the covers when she spoke again.
“Yeah.” Marti walked into the bathroom and partially closed the door behind her before she removed her panties and threw them out the cracked door and into the hamper. Leaning out, she added, “You just have to shower with your eyes closed.”
“Now how am I supposed to do that?” he asked grumpily.
“Please. I’ve seen you shower. You know the part when you close your eyes to get the shampoo out of your hair?”
He nodded.
“Like that. Only the whole time.” She giggled at her own cleverness.
“Why can’t I see you naked?” he begged.
“Because you knocked me up and I’m huge. You happy?” She threw open the door and let her bathrobe drop to the floor so he could truly witness the damage he had done while she stood there completely naked.
Whipping the covers off, he stood and walked over to her, hands outstretched. In a heartbeat, his palms had found their target, either side of her stomach. Leaning in, he kissed her lovingly, passionately. Their tongues danced together in a way that spoke of forever. When they finally broke apart, he gazed into her eyes while cupping the side of her face. “Am I happy?” Joey shook his head. “Nah. I’m ecstatic.” Turning her around carefully, he gave her a gentle pat on her shapely buttock. “Let’s get ready. I want to see my baby.”
Coming March 31, 2015
Under Umbrellas
Book Three of the New Hope Series
It has been six months since Marti agreed to marry Joey. Despite her history, she’s having a healthy pregnancy. They finally have her house to themselves. And Joey has finished her To Do list. Life should be perfect, but it’s not. Joey is pressuring Marti to make it legal before the baby arrives, which is proving impossible since Blaine refuses to let go. Their situation is further complicated when Finn refuses to go away. Add in a town divided, a legacy to uphold, and a particularly vicious hurricane season, and then hang on.
Because life is full of storms and love means sharing an umbrella.
Nicole has been an author since 2011, but it was after the birth of her daughter, Kenna in January of 2012, that she was determined to make it a full-time career. As the fourth smallest preemie in the world, Kenna’s medical needs would prevent her from ever going to day care.
For fun, she spends time with those she cares about, cooks, reads, writes, and especially lives to travel. The current travel goal: visit every Margaritaville. Three down! (Eleven to go?)
Her writing can also be found on Shine, where she is a Shine Parenting Guru and an award winning Yahoo! Contributor on YourWisdom as the relationship and dating expert. In addition, she has been published by McClatchy News in their syndicated papers.
Her books can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Apple, and Smashwords in ebook, paperback, and even some audiobooks.
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Kate, you have no idea how much I appreciate the way you dropped everything to make covers for this series. I know the publishing company keeps you busy, but your vision for this series was simply amazing.
To the team at Love Kissed Books. You told me it could be done. I wanted to believe you. You sure did deliver. Thank you for helping me meet my goal and making this book (and the New Hope Series) a reality. The support you’ve given is just awesome. I have my mojo back.
To Tammy and Lindsay, my darling beta readers, thank you for all the time you spent helping me finish this book. This was a commitment and a half. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Shannon, your graphics are beautiful and the work you do on the blog hasn’t gone unnoticed. Thank you for everything.
Team Nick’s Chicks, I appreciate your devotion. I’m so blessed to have so many of you who are willing to step up at a moment’s notice to help me out.
To all the dedicated book bloggers who help me, thank you for your patience. I know I left you hanging on this book. Lorraine, you rock my world. Sarah, Becky, Becky, April, Georgia, Danielle, Tanya, Shayna…so much thanks.
Hope it was worth the wait!
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