Rising Read online

  “Who said I trusted them? I trust you.” Her blue eyes shine with happiness.

  “I’ve waited a long time to hear you say that.”

  She nods. “Like I said, we took the rocky road. But I’m glad we’ve reached the end.”

  I look around the room. Most of the food went quickly, and the small amount that’s left is tucked away for us to eat tomorrow. We said goodbye to everyone leaving dishes to be done, and crumbs to vacuum up, but I’ll take care of that tomorrow while my wife recovers from wedding night sex.

  The best kind.

  “Should we clean up?” Brooke asks.

  “No. Leave it. We’ve got other more important things to do.”

  She smiles. “Like what?”

  Taking her hand, I lead her toward the bedroom. “I want to set the world record for the number of times I’ve been inside my wife in a single night.”

  Brooke throws her head back and laughs. “We both know I’ll be asleep by ten.”

  “Well, we’d better get started then.”

  I lie on my back.

  Her blond hair hangs in curls around her face, and I wrap one lock around my index finger, pulling her down to kiss me. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” She leans back. Her breasts are already bigger thanks to the pregnancy. Was she like this with Kaia? I’m ashamed not to remember.

  Her hips jolt me into life as her pussy closes around my cock. Once upon a time, I thought we’d never reach this level of love and trust again. Now it wraps us in its warm glow, and feeds my need for her.

  She thrusts hard, taking me deep inside her, and I smile at the look of concentration on her face.

  “You’re just going to take what you need, aren’t you?”

  A sly smile crosses her lips. “I need everything.”

  “Just as well I have everything to give.”

  And then I’m lost, surrounded by the woman I love. I might have lost four years with her, but I’ll never lose another second.

  She presses her hands to my pecs, grinding her hips until I let out a moan. I’m floating on the wave of this climax, gripping her body tight against mine. Her eyes widen with her own, and I smile at the strain on her face when she comes. I could do this all night.

  She rolls to my side, and I take her in my arms and kiss her. Long. Slow. Deep. A sigh catches in her throat, and I drop my lips to her neck to follow it.

  “Cole.” Her loving tone fills my heart. “I’d like to get some sleep now.”

  “If you weren’t pregnant, I’d do my best to keep you awake.” I chuckle. Laying my palm on her stomach, I smile at the thought of our growing baby. This is a symbol of our renewed love, and he or she will be the center of our universe, along with big sister Kaia.

  “I’m glad I have an excuse to snooze.” She yawns. “No, not really. I’d much rather fool around with you all night.”

  “We’ll have plenty of other nights. A lifetime of them.”

  Brooke raises her hand to stroke my cheek. “Thank you for today.”

  “It was for all of us.”

  “Your promise to Kaia was so sweet. I hope she remembers that for the rest of her life.”

  “Me too.” I suck in a breath. “As nice as it is not to have to worry about her bursting in here, I miss her.”

  Brooke laughs. “So do I. It’s like I have a missing limb when she’s not around.”

  I run my index finger down her neck, all the way to her nipple. She gasps when I pinch it. “Are you really sure you need to sleep?”

  A sly smile crosses her lips. “I think I just got a better offer.”

  “I love you, wife.”

  “Love you too, husband.”

  This couldn’t be any more different to our first wedding night.

  Two souls have finally become one, united in the love that we kept coming back to, no matter how many barriers were put between us.

  My love for Brooke trumps everything.

  It’s for life.

  Always growing.

  Always rising.

  Pinky promise.

  Also by Wendy Smith

  Writing as Wendy Smith

  Coming Home

  Doctor’s Orders

  Baker’s Dozen

  Hunter’s Mark

  Coming 2018 Teacher’s Pet

  * * *

  Fall and Rise Duet

  Falling

  Rising

  * * *

  Writing as Ariadne Wayne

  The Friends Series

  Loving Rowan

  Three Days

  Something Real

  The Right One

  Unexpected

  * * *

  Chances Series

  Another Chance

  Taking Chances

  * * *

  Lifetime Series

  In a Lifetime

  In an Instant

  In a Heartbeat

  In the End

  * * *

  Lifetime novella series

  At the Start

  Coming 2018 In the Middle

  Coming 2018 At the Finish

  About the Author

  Wendy Smith published as Ariadne Wayne for three years before deciding she didn’t want to be someone else all the time. Heavily influenced by stories in the media, she decided to try something new, and the Copper Creek series was born. With lots of love and a touch of darkness, her stories will twist their way into your heart.

  Find me online

  www.authorwendysmith.com

  [email protected]