Perfectly Unpredictable Page 16
She bucked and grabbed his hips, ready to guide him inside.
“Condom?”
Kalia groaned. “Nightstand.”
Mack ripped open the package and rolled the condom on.
Kalia watched, her heart tripping, impatient for his touch. She clung to his shoulders, loving the weight of his body on top of hers. And raised her hips. When he slid inside, she moved to take him deeper. Long hard strokes. Tighter. Faster. She tried to stay grounded, but her body floated, her heart filled, and her breath caught on a shudder. Mack braced his weight and, with one last deep thrust, let the waves rock them both.
Mack lowered himself on top of her, then flipped and rolled and cuddled her to his side. He kissed her hair. “I love you,” he whispered hoarsely.
It took her breath away. She had to blink back tears before she spoke. “I love you, too.”
Mack squeezed her against him and pulled a light sheet over them. “Why are naps only for kids? I think we’re on to something here.”
Kalia smiled. “I’d have to agree. If I didn’t know Mani was going to be up in an hour, I’d say we should stay this way all day.”
Mack grunted. “I could get on top of that.”
Kalia laughed, pulled back the sheet, and sat up to straddle him. “Good idea.”
Later, they sat together at the kitchen table eating breakfast.
“This is delicious. You make a mean French toast,” Kalia said, licking maple syrup off her finger.
“My limited repertoire of breakfast food. Tastes even better with whipping cream,” he said with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
Kalia laughed. “I think we still have chocolate sauce to use up, too.”
Mack grinned. “Can’t wait.” After a few more bites, Mack set his cutlery down. “Kalia?”
Kalia glanced at him, and her heart stumbled at his expression. His eyes were serious, his eyebrows drawn together in a frown.
“You are beautiful.” He reached out to hold her hand. “It’s not just your gorgeous eyes or the way you smile that takes my breath away. It’s everything about you. You are generous and loving. Selfless and smart. You make me laugh, and you brighten each day. I don’t think I really understood what love was all about until I met you.” He threaded his fingers in hers. “Now all I know is that I don’t want to live without you.”
Kalia blinked back tears.
“I don’t know if it’s too soon for you, Kalia … I love Mani and want to be a family. If you’ll let me, I want to adopt Mani and make him my son. I don’t know if I can be half the parent you are, but I’d like to try. I love you both with all my heart.” He brought their clasped hands to his lips for a kiss.
Her hand trembled in his.
He went down on one knee. “Kalia, will you marry me?”
“Oh, Mack.” Kalia brushed away tears and reached for him to stand. “Yes. Yes, please.”
Mack’s smile widened, and with a whoop, he lifted her up and twirled her around. He set her down and kissed her deeply.
When they broke apart, Mack ran a gentle hand down Kalia’s cheek and brushed away tears. “I want you to be happy.”
“I am, Mack. I really am. I love you with all my heart. I want to be a family, raise Mani together, and maybe have more?” She watched for his reaction.
“Absolutely.” He kissed her again. “I don’t know what the future will bring for my music, but if you’re willing to walk through it together, I think we can figure it out as we go.”
He brushed a lock of hair from her face. “I haven’t bought a ring yet. I wanted to ask you.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t know if this is a good idea, but I thought I’d ask.” He shifted from one foot to the other and his eyes clouded. “I know that Alexandre will always have a piece of your heart.”
Kalia raised watery eyes to his. “I can’t help it, Mack. But my love for you–”
“Shhh … it’s okay.” He touched his lips to hers. “I wondered if you would like to have an engagement ring designed that incorporates the ring Alexandre gave you. Blend it with a new ring – to symbolize the love we both hold in our hearts for you.”
Tears streamed down Kalia’s cheeks. She couldn’t speak.
Mack raised his hands in the air and stepped back. “I’m sorry. It’s a bad idea. I’ll–”
Kalia pressed a finger to his lips. “I–” she swallowed “–I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you would think of that,” she whispered. “I love that idea.” She kissed him. “My love for you is so huge, Mack. I can’t wait to start our life together. I want to stand by your side and be there with you, for whatever the future holds for us. To help you be the best that you can be, through the ups and downs, and share the laughter and the tears.”
Mack brushed her cheek with his thumb. “Hopefully there won’t be many tears.”
“Tears of happiness.” She hugged him close.
A ray of sunshine flooded the kitchen. Kalia looked at the strong bright beam of light and felt Alexandre’s blessing. A feeling of contentment washed over her.
“I feel very lucky to have you in my life. Who’d have thought?”
Mack looked at her with love in his eyes. “It’s true. Unpredictable. But perfect.”
“Perfectly unpredictable,” Kalia said, and kissed him. “It fits. And as long as I’m with you, I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“Me either.”
Music filtered down from upstairs, and Mani babbled.
“But you know what is predictable?” Mack gave a crooked grin.
“What?”
“I think I’m going to have diaper changing lessons in my future.”
Kalia pressed a hand to her heart. “I’d be happy to teach you.”
They shared a laugh, and hand in hand, went up to draw Mani into their circle of love.
About the Author
Linda O’Connor started writing a few years ago when she needed a creative outlet other than subtly rearranging the displays at HomeSense. It turns out she loves writing romantic comedies and has a few more stories to tell. When not writing, she’s a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic (well, even when she is writing she’s a physician, and it shows up in her stories :D). She hangs out at www.lindaoconnor.net.
Laugh every day. Love every minute.
The Perfectly Series
Perfectly Honest (Book 1)
You never know where your words will take you …
When Mikaela Finn agreed to be Sam’s ‘fiancée’ for a weekend, she probably should have told him that she’s a doctor.
Sam O’Brien, aka ‘Dr. Eye Candy’, is trying to shed his playboy reputation and convince a small town hospital that he’s ready to settle down. But when his ‘fiancée’ helps deliver a baby in the middle of the meet and greet, it’s a bit of a shock. If he’d known the whole truth, he might have done things a little differently because somehow his ‘fiancée’ ends up stealing his job and his heart. Not exactly the change he wanted.
Lies and deceit – it’s a match made in heaven!
Available at https://www.amazon.com/author/lindaoconnor
Perfectly Reasonable (Book 2)
Love what you do and do what you love. Sounds perfectly reasonable, but chances are, you’ll find your passion in the last place you look …
Margo MacMillan finished medical school, but in the process, her self-confidence and self-esteem took a beating. So for the sake of self-preservation, she’s stepped away from medicine to re-group. In the meantime, painting soothes her soul and pays the bills.
Trace Bennett set his sights on a medical degree and has to prepare the perfect medical school application. His big plan is to paint his condo for a little feng shui divine luck. When Margo shows up to paint, he realizes he’s found exactly what he’s looking for. He just has to convince Margo to share more than the art of medicine.
She’s got it. He wants it. It’s Perfectly Reasonable.
Available at https://www.amazon.com/author/lindaoconnor
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br /> Perfectly Planned (Book 3)
She has it all Perfectly Planned …
Chloe Keay is on the hunt for the perfect sperm donor, but who knew it would be this hard? So many things to consider in a father – sure height and hair color are important, but what about the real issues. How does he feel about bagpipe music? Does he buy the extended warranty? Skittles or M&Ms? She doesn’t want an average Joe. She’s narrowed it down to two candidates and has the perfect plan to pick the heir and the spare.
Staff Sergeant Rip Logan, head of the elite Tactics and Rescue Unit, has a gut feeling that Chloe Keay is trouble. She’s a sexy little spark plug who radiates innocence, but it doesn’t jibe with her suspicious behavior and probing questions. The fact that he’s attracted irritates him. What exactly is she after? And should he go with his gut or follow his heart?
Planning for love – what could possibly go wrong?
Available at https://www.amazon.com/author/lindaoconnor