IS THIS IT?
JESS
The soft glow of the late afternoon sun filtered through the living room blinds, bathing everything in a golden hue. I sat on the couch, cradling Emersyn against my chest. Her tiny hand was curled around my finger, and her little lips puckered as she slept. I couldn’t stop staring at her, utterly mesmerized by the perfection of her button nose, the faint blush on her cheeks, and the quiet rise and fall of her breathing. She was so peaceful, so innocent, and completely ours. My heart swelled, and I leaned down to kiss her soft, downy hair
The front door clicked open, and Luke stepped inside, the familiar creak of his gym bag hitting the floor echoing through the room. I glanced up and smiled as he walked in, sweaty and exhausted from practice but still managing to look ridiculously good. His hair was damp with perspiration, his shirt clung to his body, and there was that satisfied, cocky grin on his face that I’d grown to love and hate in equal measure.
“Hey,” he said, his voice low and warm as his eyes softened at the sight of us.
“Hey yourself,” I replied, tilting my head to look at him.
Luke leaned down and kissed me quickly before brushing his lips across Emersyn’s forehead. “How are my girls?” he murmured.
“Good,” I said softly, glancing down at our sleeping daughter.
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IS THIS IT?
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“She’s been an angel today.”
He smiled, but as he stood upright, I wrinkled my nose, waving a hand in front of my face. “But you? Ew! You’re sweaty!”
He smirked, crossing his arms and leaning against the armrest of the couch. “Sweaty, huh? I don’t hear you complaining when I‘ m on the field.”
“That’s because I’m not standing downwind!” I teased, wrinkling my nose again.
Luke leaned closer, grinning wickedly. “Wanna join me in the shower, then? Help me clean up?”
My cheeks flushed, and I glanced down at Emersyn, trying to ignore the flutter of butterflies in my stomach. “I can’t,” I said, trying to sound casual. “I’m busy. She’s sleeping.”
He crouched down so his face was level with mine, his eyes gleaming mischievously. “Babe. She sleeps through anything, and we have the monitor.”
Before I could respond, Luke carefully scooped Emersyn out of my arms, cradling her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. He walked over to her crib in the corner of the living room and gently laid her down, tucking her in snugly. He flipped. on the video monitor, holding it up for me to see.
“See?” he said, his voice soft as he set the monitor on the coffee table. “She’s fine. Now, where were we?”
I barely had time to protest before Luke reached out and pulled me to my feet. “Luke!” I exclaimed, but he was already grinning, pulling me close and wrapping his arms around me despite the
dampness of his shirt.
“Luke, you’re all gross and sweaty!” I squealed, trying to push him away.
He laughed, tightening his hold. “Gross and sweaty, huh? Let’s see if you can resist me now.”
Before I could escape, his fingers found my sides, and he started tickling me mercilessly. I burst into uncontrollable laughter, twisting and squirming in his arms as I tried to break free.
“Luke! Stop!” I gasped between giggles, but he wasn’t having any of it.
“You sure about that?” he teased, his deep voice vibrating in my ear. “You don’t sound like you want me to stop.”
I shook my head, laughing so hard that tears formed in the corners of my eyes. “I hate you right now!” I managed to choke out.
“No, you don’t,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my temple. “Admit it. You love this.”
“I do not!” I lied, but my traitorous smile gave me away.
Luke leaned back just enough to look into my eyes, his expression softening as his laughter faded. “You’re a terrible liar, Jess,” he said, his voice low and intimate.
Before I could respond, he cupped my face in his hands and kissed me, silencing any protest I might have had. His lips were warm and firm, and the sheer intensity of the kiss made my
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knees weak. I gave up pretending to resist, wrapping my arms. around his neck and melting into him.
When he finally pulled back, I was breathless, my cheeks flushed. “You’re impossible,” I murmured, but my smile betrayed
- me.
“And you love me for it,” he said,
