What the Heart Desires (Contemporary Erotic Romance) (20 page)

“It’s hard to believe it’s been two years,” Kimberly murmured, slipping her hand into Garrett’
s as her hair danced in the light breeze.

They were walking down their quiet, upscale suburban street on a sleepy Sunday afternoon.  The sun was shining bright
ly down on them.  The air was cool and crisp and everything one would expect of a warm autumn day. 

“In some ways
it is hard to believe it’s been two years already,” Garrett agreed.  “In other ways, it feels like it’s been forever.”

She laughed
, surprised by the response.  “I hope that wasn’t a dig?  Do you really feel like you’ve been dragging ‘the old ball and chain’ around for an eternity already?” 

Garrett chuckled.  “Not at all,” he replied.  “I just mean I can’t even really remember my life before you were in it.  None of it mattered
before you.  You changed everything, Kimmy.” 

Kimberly smiled and leaned over to kiss Garrett.  “Actually,” she corrected him, “
they
changed everything – although I did play a part in that.” 

“Yes dear,” Garrett joked.  “You’re right as usual.”  Then he leaned down to
protectively survey the two pudgy, perfect babies sleeping in the stroller they were pushing in front of them.  “I wish the twins were this quiet all the time!”

“
Sorry to break it to you, but your days of peace and quiet are over, Daddy.” 

Kimberly leaned down to readjust the sunbonnet on their daughter’s head as Garrett lovingly pulled a blanket up around their son’s shoulders.  Their lives had changed forever when they’d married two year ago, committing themselves to one another forever. 
But their lives had
really
changed forever upon the arrival of their two tiny bundles of joy.

“This time last year we were in Hawaii,” Garrett recalled nostalgically.  “
We’d just found out you were pregnant and we were delirious with happiness.  Remember those long walks on the beach every night – and how about those gorgeous sunsets?”

“They were gorgeous,” Kimberly agreed
, blushing as she remembered how they’d had sex on the beach late one night under the cover of darkness.  “But I’d rather be here with the kids than Hawaii. 
This
is my paradise…even with the lack of sleep and spit up and diaper changes.”

“Mine too,” Garrett agreed, “although more sleep and fewer diapers would be nice!  What do you say we take a night off?  Just for tonight – we’ll get a sitter and
celebrate our anniversary. I can probably still get us dinner reservations someplace nice.”

“Really, you’ll get a sitter?” Kimberly repeated incredulously.  “Excuse me, but have you met my husband?  He’s about 6’
2, nice arms with irrational paranoia and suspicion of strangers?”

Garrett laughed.  “I’m working on the paranoia,” he promised.  “Besides, I screened the hell out of the potential sitters at the agency the other day,” he added with a smug wink.  “I’m not leaving our kids with just anyone!”

Kimberly leaned against Garrett affectionately as they strolled down the street, each with one hand on the handle of the oversized double stroller.  “Okay,” she agreed, “let’s make a reservation…but not at a restaurant.  How about we get a hotel?  Just imagine a quiet evening of room service and uninterrupted sleep!”

“Now you’re talking!  I think I’ve forgotten what it feels like to not be sleep-deprived,” Garrett said good-naturedly. 
As if on cue, he stifled a yawn.

As they tu
rned into their driveway and Garrett reached into the pocket of his leather jacket to retrieve the house key, Kimberly gave him a playful tap on the shoulder.

“Yes, Kimmy?”

“Make sure to bring those fuzzy handcuffs to the hotel tonight, okay?” she said with a look on her pretty face that could only be described as simultaneously innocent and devious. 

Garrett’s face lit up.  “Yes dear,” he replied with a knowing grin.

___

Allora Adderly’s second book:
I Married the Prince

Free spirited Allison has aspirations of being a fashion designer.  Unpaid internships don’t pay the bills, but they do pay in experience – especially Allison’s internship.  After some strings are pulled, she finds herself working with the seamstress to the queen in a small, obscure European country.  Even though she works for the palace, given her lowly position, Allison never expected to actually meet any of the royals.  That all changes when the prince and sole heir to the throne takes notice of her and convinces her to help him escape an arranged marriage.  But will their secret arrangement turn out to be more than Allison can handle?

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Blog:
http://alloraadderly.blogspot.com