He took her breath away.
Jolie bit her lip at seeing the way he was staring at her as she lay there in her swimsuit in the shade holding their baby girl.
“Hey partner,” Max breathed tenderly.
“Hey there yourself,” she replied softly, and then raised an eyebrow to taunt her husband. “Jase wants to swim without a vest today because you don’t wear one.”
“Did you tell him the truth?”
“No, I thought I would let you,” she challenged, putting the ball back in his court. Max threw back his head and laughed, reaching for a towel. He dried his hair a bit and knelt before their son.
“Jase, it’s a tremendous secret,” Max said tenderly. “Can you keep a secret, Jase?”
“Yes, papa.”
“Good, now no one else knows this, but…” Jolie craned her neck to hear the two of them whispering. “… Your mama loves you more than me and would be devastated if something happened to you. You need to wear the life-vest until you can touch the bottom of the ocean, okay? When you can stand up and touch the bottom, you don’t have to wear it ever again.”
“You can touch the bottom of the ocean?” the little boy gaped.
“That’s how you know you are a grownup,” Max said smoothly, evading the answer and glancing at Jolie. She tried to keep from laughing, knowing that Max was exaggerating only because he believed the children would never be old enough to be without one. They both adored the children and the deep water was far too dangerous to chance their precious lives.
“Go get your vest, little one, and I will take you swimming.”
“Yes, papa.”
Jolie stared at her husband heatedly, knowing that every time this man spoke or smiled at her, she fell in love with him all over again. Max walked over and knelt down beside her, kissing Elena’s cheek tenderly.
“You are so beautiful right now,” he whispered, reaching out to trace her lips before he kissed her. She adored the way his blue-green eyes would darken with love when he looked at her.
“It’s because I am head-over-heels-in-love,” she admitted, reaching upwards to cup his neck and pulling him to her in a kiss. She watched as he arched his back to keep from crushing the baby between them and held himself aloft, his arms flexing.
“Elena is drooling milk on your arm, my love,” he teased, kissing her.
“I’m not surprised in the slightest,” she admitted, arching up to meet his kiss.
Jase ran into the room and immediately groaned in disgust.
“Matera, papa, you are always kissing,” he whined. “I want to swim.”
“Your papa won’t take you until that vest is buckled, young man.”
“Mama….”
“Jase…” she warned.
“Is two of them too many for you, my love?” Max teased softly, kissing her cheek and nibbling on her ear.
“I certainly hope not because the third one will be here in seven months,” Jolie confessed softly, feeling Max tense against her. He pulled back slightly, smiling, and looked at her with more love in his eyes than she’d ever seen. She felt herself start to tear up. “I’m pregnant again, Max.”
“I love you so very much,” he breathed.
“I know,” she teased with a wink. “I keep getting pregnant because of it.”
Max laughed and grimaced as Jase grabbed his leg, nearly dislodging his sister. He stood up quickly and shook his finger at his son.
“Just a moment, young man. We have to be gentle with our girls.”
“I’m sorry, papa.”
“It’s okay, just be careful we never hurt them.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh, and Jase?” Max hesitated, smiling at Jolie. “I lied earlier. I can’t touch the ocean floor and promise to wear a life vest too. I want to make sure I am here for a long time for your mama to boss us both around.”
“Max!”
“I’m teasing you, love,” he laughed, kissing her quickly on the cheek. “It’s time to lead by example and teach him right from wrong.”
“He’s blessed to have a wonderful papa then.”
“And a wonderful mama,” Max countered easily, “I love you, partner.”
“I love you too.”
Afterword
Thank you for taking the time to read Billionaire Birthday Wish. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Doesn’t have to be much, just a simple rating and a few kind words work wonders. Your thoughts, opinions and feedback are much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ginny
Remember Home
CPO John Griffin’s story - the book that launched the series Healing Hearts
Dear John…
For teacher Lily Hogan, those words would come to mean so much. She knew that giving back to the community brought joy into people’s lives. When her fourth-grade class writes letters to the military overseas in Afghanistan, she takes up her own pen and leads her students by example – writing a letter to an unknown soldier.
CPO John Griffin and his K-9 dog, Radar, have been through so much together over the last several years. Sniffing out bombs, searching the hills and mentoring his team, he feels so alone and unsure of his future- until a letter reminds him that there’s more to life in this world he’s protecting. Simple words, a kind gesture and feeling that he isn’t forgotten out there in the desert, compels him to write back. Before long, he finds himself looking forward to the care packages and letters from his pen-pal halfway across the world.
With every letter and every word, they begin to develop a friendship and wonder what the other person is truly like? Major life changes are scary enough as it is - but is it possible to fall in love with someone before you’ve even laid eyes upon them? Can the magic of the season bring the sweetest gift of all?
Remember Laughter
Grab Remember Laughter today on Kindle Unlimited
When one door closes, another one opens...
Leia Ketch has been through more than any one person should ever experience. An untimely demise, starting over anew, and having to rely on herself has all been a brutal education in the game of life. Putting on a brave face and trying to remain strong, she gives in to her loneliness and replies to a stranger’s email as a favor to a friend.
Jason Hody is caught off-guard when his former chief calls in an unexpected favor. He knows that he’s an obnoxious, playful, and outgoing—but it’s a mask. There’s so much more to the soldier hidden deep inside. Emailing some woman as a favor causes a blip on his internal radar, but something about her sparks an interest he can’t resist.
Can they develop a friendship to fill in the missing pieces of their hearts? Does this attempt at matchmaking turn awry? Could opposites truly attract despite being thousands of miles apart?
The Disaster City Search and Rescue Series
The Oil Tycoon Rescue
Claudia Jenkins wasn’t about to let anyone tell her what to do! When fire threatens the safety of her team, she knows the right thing is to evacuate the oil platform until a gorgeous rescuer tries to bully her. This is her rig, her money, and her dominion – so who does Tobin Randall think he is by telling her to abandon it?
Tobin has never met anyone so stubborn in his life! The enchanting blonde with a smear of oil on her cheek is adorable in her hardhat; but when she opens that beautiful mouth, it's like arguing with any of the ‘boys’. She's tough, smart, and irritating – until he sweeps her up into his arms.
When temperatures flare, can Claudia get past her initial reactions to Tobin? He has no intention of leaving her emotionally and financially compromised once he sets his sights on the Roughneck woman who sets fire to his heart.
The Daring Rescue - A short story
Molly Fuentes has had an adventurous life, grabbing every chance at freedom she can. She spends all her free time rock climbing with no emotional entanglements to hold her back. One small mistake, however, and her whole world, both past and present,
comes crashing down around her as she stares into the eyes of her rescuer, Caleb Jellison.
Caleb never got over his first love – nor being abandoned at the altar. When he discovers that the woman hanging over the precipice is his beloved Molly, her safety and future are quite literally in his hands. Control and fear of commitment were the reasons she left the last time; but now that she’s immobile, can they work together to put the past behind them once and for all?
The Rising River Rescue - A short story
Historian Caroline Dawson has always felt like she was born in the wrong era. She loves the idea of chivalry, sweeping ballgowns, and a time forever ‘gone with the wind’. When the opportunity to tour several antebellum homes in Baton Rouge comes out of nowhere, it sounds superb – until the downpour begins. Now, she is swept into the arms of a local rapscallion, Cade Richards.
Cade cannot believe the scene before his eyes! Homes are flooding and debris is being swept into the streets faster than they are able to compensate with sandbags. When a stubborn woman is discovered clinging to a pianoforte in the waist deep water, he’s amused to hear her calling for the ‘bluebellies’ to rescue her.
Will this lovely woman in her period costume continue to fight for the cause - or will she lay down arms and surrender her heart?
About the Author
Ginny Sterling is a Texas transplant living in Kentucky. She spends her free time (Ha!) writing, quilting, and spending time with her husband and two children. Ginny can be reached on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or via email at [email protected]
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The Billionaire's Birthday Love Page 8
