Casualties of Love (22 page)
Read Casualties of Love Online
Authors: Denise Riley
Tags: #Romance, #Military, #Multicultural & Interracial, #Contemporary, #Literature & Fiction
“Mommy has a secret,” Tyson, Jr. blurted out in a stage whisper after his long, mostly-monologue.
That got Jessica’s attention. Her head whipped around to look at her son. The look of total innocence on his small, lightly bronzed face didn’t fool her one bit. She raised her brow at him and the little scamp had the audacity to wink at her. Too much of his father in him.
“A secret, hmm? What’s this about a secret, Mommy?” Tyson asked Jessica. He’d stopped their movement and was looking at her with a grin.
“Since he brought it up,” she said using a hand to tickle her boy. “Maybe your son should tell you.” Jessica gave Tyson, Jr. a knowing look as the smiling little boy practically bounced in his father’s arms. They’d come to an agreement about their announcement that he had clearly had no intention of sticking to. “Go on,” she told him.
“Well, Sir,” he started dramatically by putting both of his little hands on Tyson’s cheeks. “We’re having a baby.” His serious expression and tone made Jessica roll her eyes.
Tyson, Jr. giggled at his father’s surprise. Jessica couldn’t help but grin at the boy’s antics and joy at telling the news.
“We are?” Tyson said looking at Jessica. His light eyes were gazing at her tenderly and in question.
“Yeah,” she said with a smile and a nod. Jessica had found out about the pregnancy very shortly after Tyson had left. Since he was only going to be TDY for a short time, she had decided to wait until he returned to give him the news.
“Ah, babe,” he said in wonderment as he pulled her close again. He kissed her softly, putting his free hand to the back of her neck. He broke the kiss but didn’t pull away. He put his forehead against hers. They both ignored the fact that they were in still in the midst of other airport patrons. Tyson, Jr. put his arms around both of their necks and they all shared a hug.
“I hope you’re ready for another one of these,” Jessica teased in a soft voice.
“I’m more than ready. I want a girl this time. One that looks just like you,” Tyson said. His low, whispered tone matched hers.
“Hmm. A little girl would be nice,” Jessica agreed.
She was so happy that he was happy. He was home; he was safe; they were growing their family and every wish Jessica had ever wanted for them was coming true. It was wonderful and heartwarming and...
“I don’t know about a girl,” Tyson Jr. blurted out, completely butting into the tender moment.
“Hush, boy,” Jessica said with a sigh.
Tyson chuckled and then kissed Jessica’s cheek before getting them moving again.
“I love you, Tyson.”
“I love you, Jess.”
“Me too, Daddy?”
“You too, buddy. Always.”
THE END
Friends and Lovers: At Last (Book 1: Dominick and Jaylyn) also by Denise Riley.
“Hey, Mira? Do you think it’s a good idea for friends to become romantically involved? Or, well, um, more accurately, I suppose, sexually involved.”
“Hmm. That’s an interesting question. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, just wondering…you know.” Jaylyn almost grimaced at the terrible lie. “So what do you think; good idea or no?”
“Well, I guess it depends,” Mira said nonchalantly. She was flipping through her book.
“Okay. On what?” Jaylyn asked.
“You know...maybe…how long they’ve been friends. How close their friendship is.” Mira paused before saying, “Or…how good the sex with Nick really was.”
******
When Jaylyn Marks wakes up naked in the bed of her best friend and roommate she has vowed never to become intimate with, she can’t believe she’s let herself become another name on the long list of women he’s slept with. Although she’s freaking out about the significant breach in the boundaries of their friendship, Dominick seems to be taking it all in stride. Jaylyn’s not sure whether to be relieved he’s so nonchalant about the fact they’re suddenly having sex or if she should be insulted by his casual attitude. Even though having something deeper with Dominick has been what she’s hoped for for a long time, the last thing Jaylyn wants is to lose his friendship if things don’t work out.
When death, family conflict, and a boyfriend who might find out about what they’ve been doing threatens Jaylyn’s peace of mind, can she and Dominick find a way to retain their friendship or will anger and confused feelings compromise everything they’ve always been to each other?
Friends and Lovers: Worth the Wait (Book 2: Mira and Neil) also by Denise Riley.
“What the hell
was
that?” Mira asked. She turned toward Neil.
“What are you talking about?”
“That kiss,” Mira answered. She looked at Neil with unblinking eyes.
“You
demanded
that I kiss you,” Neil defended.
“Yeah, but that was…well, more than... I thought you hadn’t done that in a while,” Mira remarked in an accusatory tone.
“I haven’t.”
“You certainly don’t seem out of practice,” she drawled.
“You mentioned your ex; I thought you wanted it to be believable.” Neil shrugged.
“Well…mission accomplished,” Mira muttered loudly.
“Does that mean you liked it?” Neil asked her.
“What kind of question is that?” Mira countered with a startled look.
“A simple yes or no question, Mira,” Neil said.
Neil moved closer to Mira. He wanted to kiss her again. He wanted more of her sweet flavor, and he wanted her to know that he wanted it.
“Neil…,” Mira started.
“Yes or no, Mira? Did you enjoy the kiss?” Neil leaned in close and spoke in Mira’s ear. His voice had gone very deep. “I did, Mira. And, I’m going to do it again.”
******
Miracle Childe has been in a self-imposed dry spell for three, long years.
Three years
. Did she say dry spell? Make that a drought. No men, no dating, no sex. After a failed marriage and with no real interest in any man, Mira figured that also means no worries. The celibate life was going just peachy until she started hanging out with Neil Reynolds. Neil is the gorgeous brother of a friend, and as a fellow celibate, he should be the ideal companion. But when an unexpected kiss causes sparks to fly between them the very first night they go out, Mira isn’t sure what to do. What starts off simple, quickly becomes too complicated for Mira. When long suppressed urges battle for control and old fears rear their ugly heads, will the heat prove too much for Mira to handle or will Neil succeed in convincing her to give what might be blooming between them a chance?
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