One More Time - Louisa George Page 0,69

you to regret—’

His mouth pressed against hers and stopped her words. Stopped any kind of rational thought. All she knew was that he was there, with her, and that was all that mattered. Anything else could be talked about and worked on. Now that they both knew how.

His kiss intensified as he meshed his fingers in her hair, crushed his body against hers. And she crushed him right back, clinging to him because this time she would never let him go. His arms held her so tightly she knew he felt the same.

He tasted sweet and dark, promising a day of sinful pleasure. And another, and another. A lifetime.

After yet another mind-numbing kiss he drew back a little and traced his thumb along her bottom lip. She caught it between her teeth, mesmerised by the heat and the love blazing in his gaze. His words came out in a whisper. ‘So how about we work on it together? Slowly.’

‘How slowly?’ She wriggled her hips against him and nodded towards the bedroom. ‘Not too slowly, I hope?’

His hands ran down her back and cupped her bottom as a dangerous glint infiltrated those Maitland eyes. ‘Well, we could start with the physical.. see how we go. Give me a score and we’ll work on improving it. Every day. I can work very hard and I’m a fast learner.’

As he picked her up and walked through to the bedroom she leaned her head against his chest, felt the regular solid thud of his heart. And hers jumped in sync. Whatever the future held for them now, they’d face it together. ‘Sounds like a plan, Maitland One, a very good plan.’

Just like always.

A perfect ten.

Epilogue

Two years later...

‘So Mister Five, happy birthday. How was your first day of school?’ Gabby stepped into Mitch and Jodi’s lounge, handed over the birthday present to her eager nephew, and couldn’t hold back a smile. It was so great to see him tearing around without a care in the world.

He ripped off the wrapping paper and dithered, one eye on the playroom, clearly uninterested in the adult small talk when there was fun to be had with a new fire engine and lots of friends. ‘Cool, Auntie Gabby. We had story time and a birthday cake for me.’

‘Cool indeed. Now, go play with your party guests.’ Gabby ruffled Jamie’s hair until he dodged out of her grip. Then she went to help Jodi in the kitchen, preparing sandwiches for the hyped-up five-year-olds.

Two years had seen her and Jodi becoming fast friends, and the chances to meet up and grow into each other’s life had become more and more frequent. ‘He’s growing up fast.’

‘Way too fast. But healthy, thank goodness. There were times I didn’t dare imagine he could even make five. But he’s like a whirlwind. I wish I had half his energy.’ Jodi stopped cutting and looked up, tired shadows lining her eyes. But they were happy shadows and for good reason. Gabby’s heart did a little dance as she watched the soon-to-be mum press her hand to her bulging tummy. ‘And how I’m going to manage with a baby and a five-year-old demon, I don’t know.’

‘Just so long as you take care and get lots of rest. And we’ll be there to help.’

As Gabby spoke she heard the door latch drop, felt the familiar flicker of heat, and her body’s immediate response. Max was here. She wandered through to the front room, trying to keep her excitement in check. ‘Hey, husband.’

‘Hi, Charge Nurse Maitland. Sorry I’m late. You know what it’s like. Things don’t always go as planned.’

‘You’re here now and that’s all that matters.’ She curled into his waiting arms, pressed a kiss on his cheek. Then, leaning her head against his chest, she took a breath. ‘I have news.’

‘We got the house?’ He drew back a little. ‘I thought we were exchanging contracts tomorrow.’

‘Yes. Tomorrow, and as far as I know that’s all going well.’ She bit her bottom lip, weighing up the words. For over ten years she’d shunned this—then struggled to believe it could be possible. ‘Phillipe rang.’

‘And?’ Max’s face clouded. Their journey had not been easy. Two rounds of assisted fertility had been testing on both of them, but they’d stuck through it, holding each other up when it had seemed impossible. He’d been there for her throughout, solid and determined and reliable. And had infused it all with his sense of fun and his love. Anything seemed possible with him around.

Her heart almost beat out of her chest. ‘And it worked. I’m pregnant.’

‘Okay. Sit down.’ He steered her to a chair as if she would break at the tiniest touch. His mouth twitched into a slow smile that spread and lit up his face. ‘How many eggs took?’

They both knew they had a long way to go. But she knew—felt deep in her soul—that this time it was going to be all right. This time it would work. She played with the necklace at her throat, knowing that no child could ever take the place of her firstborn, but would equally fill her heart. ‘Just the one.’

‘One. A baby. Our baby.’ His hand tenderly touched her stomach and he gazed at her with such love she wondered how it was possible she could be so lucky. ‘So definitely no multiples in there?’

‘Two? Are you completely mad?’ She smiled over at Jodi who nodded in agreement. ‘One set of Maitland twins is more than enough for the world to handle.’

Also by Louisa George

Thank you for picking up One More Time. If you enjoyed it, please head on over to my Amazon Author page to see all my other books: Louisa George

Healing Hearts series:

Still The One

No One But You

One More Time (this book!)

Something Borrowed series:

Something Borrowed (Book 1)

Something About You (Book 2)

Something Beginning With Mistletoe (Book 3)

Something Secret (Book 4)

Something Blue (Book 5)

Contemporary romance:

Enemies With Benefits (RITA® nominated 2015)

Her Client From Hell

Backstage With Her Ex

Contemporary romance novella:

A Deal With The Devil

Still The One

Women’s Fiction

The Other Life Of Charlotte Evans

The Secret Art Of Forgiveness

Contemporary Medical Romance

Saved By Their One-Night Baby

A Nurse To Heal His Heart

Reunited By Their Secret Son

The Nurse’s Special Delivery

Tempted By Hollywood’s Top Doc

Her Doctor’s Christmas Proposal

Tempted By Her Italian Surgeon (KORU Award winner 2016)

A Baby On Her Christmas List

200 Harley Street: The Shameless Maverick

One More Time (formerly How To Resist A Heartbreaker KORU Award Winner 2014)

No One But You (formerly The Last Doctor She Should Ever Date)

The War Hero’s Locked-Away Heart

Waking Up With His Runaway Bride

One Month To Become A Mum