Six months pregnant, a little over a month after marriage, almost a year since I first laid eyes on her, and I couldn’t love her more.
Our baby boy is healthy, and the doctors don’t expect any complications. It’s funny how she was so nervous and anxious, but the moment she got pregnant, she relaxed and I became the one who was worrying about everything.
I open my arms as she slowly walks to me, the lack of sleep seeming to hit her as she reaches me.
Her soft body molds to mine as I hold her and kiss her hair. The smell of her shampoo tickles my nose as I smile. “I missed you I think,” my words reflect my sleepy state. “I can’t sleep when you’re not in bed.”
She lifts her head to look at me, “I just wanted to get this one done before the baby comes.”
My smile only widens at her response. “We have three more months, sweetheart.”
She pouts in response, and it only makes me want to kiss her that much more.
Her lips part to give some excuse, but I don’t let her say a word. I crush my lips to hers, spearing my fingers through her hair and deepening it when she melts into me.
A year since I set eyes on her, and I don’t know how I ever lived without her.
When I pull away from her, Grace’s hands travel toward her belly and I know why; I can feel our little boy kicking her. She looks up at me in wonder, as if it’s the first time she’s felt him.
A chuckle escapes me as I push her hair out of her face and plant a chaste kiss on her lips.
She grabs my hand and places it on her belly and our baby kicks my hand just then. It’s hard enough that I would have pulled back had Grace’s hand not still been on top of mine.
“Is he why you can’t sleep?” I ask her playfully, my hands traveling over her swollen bump.
“No, the lavender pillow spray works really well to put me out.” My eyes reach hers again, and in them I see nothing but happiness. Cheryl has been over nonstop, giving her all sorts of things.
Grace happened to say once at Sunday dinner that she wasn’t sleeping well. The very next day my sisters and mom were over here with all sorts of pillows and aromatherapy sprays. My Ma knew. She knows everything.
I’ve never loved my family more than now. And I know Grace loves them, too.
Together, we’re complete; there’s no doubt in my mind that this is how it was supposed to happen all along.
I tip her chin up, holding her gaze for a moment before kissing her one last time and whispering, “I love you.” I can feel her smile on my lips before she whispers back, “And I love you.”
If you enjoyed Knocking Boots, you’ll love my second chance romance novel, Promise Me, available now! Keep reading for a sneak peek!
Or take a peek at Tell Me To Stay, an emotional second chance romance I know you’ll love!
Click here to sign up to my mailing list, where you’ll get exclusive giveaways, free books and new release alerts!
Follow me on BookBub to be the first to know about my sales!
Text Alerts:
US residents: Text WILLOW to 797979
UK residents: Text WWINTERS to 82228
And if you’re on Facebook, join my reader group, Willow Winters’ Wildflowers for special updates and lots of fun!
Sneak Peek at Promise Me
"Promise me you'll love me after this?" Those were the words I asked my first love on a high school date.
"Always, Vi," he told me before crushing his lips against mine.
I gave him a part of me I can never get back that night. Even worse, I gave him my heart.
That was four years ago. Back when I was young and naive. Back when I thought we’d always be together.
He dumped me right after graduation and left me to join the military. He said I shouldn’t wait for him; it didn’t matter that I wanted to. I would have waited for him forever, but he threw me away and left me here in this small town.
Now he’s home and says he wants me back. Second chances don’t work in love. No matter how much I wish I could erase what’s happened since he’s been gone... no matter how much I think of falling back into his arms…
Prologue
Violet
I shift a little on the blanket as the sounds of crickets from the woods behind us get a bit louder. We're alone out here on the outskirts of the state park. I can hardly breathe in this strapless lace dress, and it’s awkward sitting on the ground with it riding up so high. It’s the prettiest one I have though, and the most revealing. It’s not that it’s too tight, although it feels as if it is.
Tonight’s the night.
I peek up to my right at Hunter and give him a shy smile, feeling the warmth of a blush flood my cheeks. My heart swells, although I’m still a bundle of nerves. He looks so handsome even in his simple faded jeans and white tee shirt.
My lungs fill with the scent of his cologne. He smells so good. He’s never worn it before. He knows tonight is different, too.
We’ve been dating for almost a year. We're high school sweethearts. A full year. I’d say it’s my longest relationship, but it’s my only one ever. And I never want another. I want to be his, and only his. Tonight I’m taking a leap of faith.
I know when we graduate in three months, it’s going to be hard. He’s going into training, and I’ll be
