She gazed at him, tried to focus her weeping eyes. He looked so nervous, so terrified about what he’d just admitted. At that moment, his guard was truly down. She loved him more than ever.
‘I love you, Autumn. I tried to deny it, hide it, forget you, but I couldn’t. I can’t. I don’t want to,’ he said, his voice faltering.
He reached a hand up and tucked a section of her red hair behind one ear, his thumb trailing her cheek. She wrapped her arms around his neck again and reveled in feeling his muscular frame pressed against hers.
‘Will you forgive me? Will you be with me? Will you have me back?’ Nathan whispered, rubbing a hand up and down her back.
‘Actually… it’s us. Will we have you back?’
‘What?’
She moved away from him to spend a second absorbing his expression. He hadn’t guessed, and she wasn’t entirely sure what his reaction would be. Her secret had stopped her from going insane these last few weeks.
‘I’m pregnant,’ she informed him. ‘I’m having your baby.’
*
His heart felt like it was going to burst open, and for a man who had been resuscitated several times en route to the operating theater, it was not such a great position to be in. But, despite the shock, he didn’t stop the mile-wide smile from lighting up his face. He was back with the woman he loved, and they were going to be a family.
*
‘I know it’s a shock, but, to be honest, having you appear back from the dead has to be worse, well, more of a surprise, you know, and… I don’t know how you feel about having more children because of Marie, but…’Autumn began, pulling at her fingers.
Nathan took her hands in his. ‘Will you both have me back?’ he asked.
‘Yes!’ Autumn squealed and leaped up into his arms.
He looked at her, those gold-flecked eyes no longer harsh, but soft and full of love and desire for her.
‘Will you both have dinner with me?’ Nathan asked, lifting up his leg and waving his foot about.
Autumn let out a laugh. ‘What are you wearing?’ she exclaimed.
‘Listen, where I come from, this is a formal shoe. I remember someone telling me once I needed a formal shoe to eat here.’
She went on tip-toes and kissed him. He stroked her hair with his hands.
‘I can’t do it. Take them off… please… take them off, they’re terrible!’ Autumn exclaimed.
‘Lose the dress.’
‘Nathan!’
‘That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.’
She slowly traced her finger along his jaw and waited, waited for what was coming next.
He lowered his head, his lips meeting hers, and all the memories she’d had to evoke of their precious moments together came alive again—just like he had.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to the fabulous team at Sapphire Star Publishing—Amy, Katie, Chad and Devyn. I adore working with such a supportive family!
Thank you to all the associate readers and authors with Loveahappyending, but particularly Sue Fortin and Linn B. Halton. You two have been a constant support this year and your friendship means so much!
A huge thank you to all my friends on Twitter and Facebook and all the readers who support my writing. You are all amazing people and I am so lucky to have you in my life! Keep reading and I’ll keep bringing you the love stories!
And last but not least—thank you to my Mr Big! I know sometimes your shirts aren’t ironed as well as they could be and dinner is something random with chips. But you’ll love this book, there’s some kick-ass action, so it will be worth it! Love you!
About the Author
MANDY BAGGOT is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer. The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance, her romantic comedy novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016. Mandy’s books have so far been translated into German, Italian, Czech and Hungarian. Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, white wine, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor. Mandy is a member of the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.
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