Awaken to Pleasure - By Nalini Singh Page 0,59

a child with this magnificent man. What a terrible and wonderful gift, she thought.

He chuckled. "Have you been studying Italian, mia moglie ?"

"I have no idea what you mean, mio marito ." She put the same possessive emphasis on the word husband that he'd put on wife .

His delighted laughter gave her hope. Yes, having a baby terrified her, but so had making love. With Jackson, anything was possible.
Chapter 12
Amonth later, she toldJacksonhe'd been right. To her shock, they'd made a baby on the first go.

Standing in front of him, while he sat in his armchair, she couldn't miss the joy that lit his dark eyes from deep within.

"A baby," hewhispered, his voice rough. Shaking visibly, he put his hands on her waist and looked up at her. " Nostrobambina is inside of you?"

"Our baby is definitely inside me. I did six of those home pregnancy tests." She was touched in the most secret part of her heart that he trusted her enough to show her his vulnerability. JacksonSantorini's reputation did not allow for eyes glazed with elation at the announcement that he was about to become a father.

"Come sit with me, piccola ."

With a woman's instinct,Taylorknew that this was the closest her very masculine husband would ever come to asking to be held. Going into his arms, she embraced him while he digested the news, her heart overflowing with tenderness sogreat, she was afraid what it meant.

LikeJackson, Nick couldn't contain his happiness when he was told the news. "Really, a baby? Cool!"

He made a face. "I won't miss anything when I go to the soccer camp?"

Taylorhad to stifle a grin. "No, honey. You've got almost eight months to look forward to."

He glanced from her toJackson. "Are you ... I mean..."

She frowned butJacksonapparently knew what was causing her brother's anxious expression. Tousling Nick's hair, he said, "The adoption papers have been lodged. You are my eldest son, Nicolas. Make me proud."

"I will." Nick hugged a startled but happyJackson.

Tears pricked her eyes at the way her husband had accepted her brother, so hungry for male attention, but it was only when he was outside that she allowed herself a little sniffle. "I'll miss him while he's at that training camp." Nick would always be her baby boy.

Jacksonput down the paper he'd been reading and came over to hug her from behind. "It'll only be a few days."

She leaned back into his strength. "He's going to be all grown up soon, and then what'll I do?"

Kissing her neck, her sexy man laughed in a way that sent tingles up her spine. "Love our four other children."

"Four?" She laughed. "Let's get this one out first."

"I like to plan ahead."

She bit back a smile. "Speaking of planning ahead - don't forget we have to go to that premiere tomorrow."

"Nick?"

"He wants to visit Mrs. Willis and she adores him, so we'll drop him off at her place on the way to the theater."

Jacksonmade a sound of agreement. "There's a family film premiering in three months - Nick can come to that with us."

Emotion shot through her at the way her husband never forgot her brother, never tried to push him aside.

"He'll love that." Reaching up, she clasped her hands over his arms. "Is this premiere going to be like the last one?" Three weeks ago, she'd attended her first glittering premiere byJackson's side.

The pre-movie get-together had been interesting. Relaxed because she knew several people from her dinner party, people who'd made it a point to introduce her to others who hadn't yet met her, she'd enjoyed the energy in the air as nervous actors and directors mingled with just as nervous producers.

However, the movie itself had left her with a headache - from trying to comprehend the plot.

Jacksonchuckled. "I promise this one's not a would-be art film that takes itself way too seriously. It's a chick-flick - sure to be a big hit for us."

Smiling at the resignation in his tone at being obliged to sit through the production, she turned to nuzzle him. "You have good taste, darling. I would've had to kill you ifSantorini Studios had backed that other picture."

" You are proof of my good taste." He kissed heruptilted lips, the caress an invitation. "Nick's busy.Come upstairs, little wife. I have an intimate matter to discuss concerning our future plans."

TaylorgaveJacksona very female look but let him coax her up to their bedroom. Once there, her generous response soothed his possessive need for her. He