Page 140 of Big Bad Wolfe

“Jillian? Sweetheart, you okay?”

Long blond lashes drifted up. She stared at him with a bewildered expression, eyes dazed. “Wha ... what?” she slurred.

“Are you all right?” he enunciated slowly and clearly.

“I thi … think so. Can’t feel the lower half of my body,” she mumbled. “Gone missing.”

He laughed as he gently withdrew from her, not so sure about the state of his own body. His arms and legs didn’t seem to want to work either. “I hope not.”

“Me too. ‘Comes’ in kind of handy.” She smiled woozily. “Ha. Ha.”

He laughed again. “Jillian Wolfe, you are a bad girl.”

“Yes, and aren’t you glad?”

He kissed her damp forehead. “Yeah, I am.”

He pulled her into his embrace and they dozed, the ocean humming soothingly at their feet. He woke before she did and watched her sleep, fierce protectiveness gripping his heart. For the rest of his life, he would love and cherish her. Wonder and happiness expanded inside him. This remarkable woman was his.

Forever.

Finally, she stretched, arching her back like a lazy cat. She opened her eyes. The velvety depths were sleepy and sated. He loved knowing he’d made her look that way. He gave her his most wicked wolf grin. “What would you say to a three-week honeymoon in Hawaii when the Center shuts down for the final phase of remodeling over Christmas Break? We can bring your Pop, Loucinda and Casey, so we don’t have to leave him, but we’ll be able to sneak off alone. I know it’s a bit unconventional, but—”

“Yes! Let’s do it!” She laughed. “Nothing about our marriage has been conventional, so why start now?”

“Do you want another wedding? A big fancy blowout, this time? Because if you do, then I’m game for that, too.”

“I used to think that’s what I wanted, but … no. I have everything I need. Everything I want.”

“Not quite everything. I’m going to try to have my vasectomy reversed.”

“Oh, Zane!” she breathed. “That is so incredibly generous and wonderful. But it’s not necessary. I’ve learned from Casey that a child doesn’t have to be born of my body to love them as my own. There are lots of children who need homes. We can adopt as many as we can handle.”

In her, he’d found his own heart. In her, he’d discovered his capacity for love, for passion. For joy. He kissed her, pouring out his love and all his promises for tomorrow. “Yeah. Why not?” He gave her a considering look. “Uh … how many do you think that is?”

She traced a heart on his chest with her fingertip, making his heart beneath stumble. “Let’s start with one. How you think Casey will react to having a baby brother or sister?”

He kissed her again, a shard of apprehension marring his contentment. They’d agreed in private with the counselor to wait and let Casey settle from recent events before telling him Zane was his father. Casey liked having Zane for a friend, but how would he feel about him as a dad?

Would Zane be able to live up to the child’s expectations of a hero who soared in the clouds, rescuing people and saving lives? Would Casey be disappointed or upset?

Zane took a fortifying breath. “Speaking of our son … we should probably be getting back to the house.”

“Yes. But, Zane? Before we do—” Her irises sparked with the impish twinkle he recognized well. “Do you suppose we could get a jump-start on that honeymoon?”

An amazing, breathless, very satisfying hour later, Zane and Jillian walked into Casey’s room, where he and Dean were snuggled on the bed, coloring.

Dean’s shrewd gaze lingered on Zane’s tousled hair and torn shirt. Then moved to scrutinize Jillian’s flushed skin, rumpled clothes and rosy, kiss-swollen lips. Any moron with half a brain could see they’d been going at it hot and heavy for the last three hours. And Dean Ramsay was anything but stupid.

Zane had every right to make love to his wife, but a spear of discomfort impaled him. No father probably appreciated a guy thoroughly mauling his daughter. Whether she’d enthusiastically participated in the mauling or not. Andhoo baby, had she ever. In spite of his unease, Zane squelched a smile.

A mischievous grin creased Dean’s broad, tanned face. He stood and offered a very relieved Zane his hand. “Welcome to the family, son.” He gave Zane a hearty handshake and a hard hug. After a kiss for Jillian and Casey, Dean departed, saying he was going to check in on Loucinda.

Jillian smiled as she sat beside Casey. “How are you doing, kiddo?”

Casey looked up from his picture of a green giraffe. “Good. But I sure could use one of them juice pops.” The little boy studied Zane, his wary perusal making Zane’s stomach jitter. What lurked behind those watchful, intelligent brown eyes?WasCasey angry at him over the accident? “Hi. Where ya been?”

“I ... ah ... had to do some stuff.” Zane’s palms grew damp and his heart pounded. He sat beside the little boy, he and Jillian enclosing the child in a protective circle. “I’m sorry you got hurt today.”

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