GRUPO FOCAL 1 (UNIMINUTO)

Dahlia watched Cruz blink in confusion, lashes moving in slow motion, a frown wrinkling his brow. Her news hadn’t registered yet, so she waited, the heat of his open palm seeping through her clothes and warming her stomach.

He didn’t know. Hadn’t known and he’d come back to declare his love without any duress.

“I-we...” He shook his head, those green eyes clearing as understanding dawned. His hand curved over her belly. His gaze flicked over her face. “Really? You’re pregnant?” His shaky voice was a thread of sound.

“Yes.” She held him to her, shifting closer. “The night you left. Our baby is your parting gift.”

His eyes widened. “I’m so sorry.”

Her heart stopped. “So-sorry for what?” Sorry for getting her pregnant? Didn’t he want their baby?

He must’ve read the expression on her face because he cupped her cheek. “I’m sorry for leaving, for making you deal with this all on your own.”

Dahlia took in a breath as her heart jumpstarted.

“I’m not sorry about our baby.” He spoke tentatively, as if gauging her reaction.

She granted him a watery grin. “That’s good. I’m not either.”

He smiled, his eyes glowing from within. “Come.” He guided her back to the couch where he sat and pulled her onto his lap.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. Cruz was back and she knew in her gut, they were going to be fine. He loved her and they were having a baby.

“How far along are you?” He touched her stomach, rubbing gently through her t-shirt. ‘When did you find out? Who’s your doctor?”

She giggled at the rapidly fired questions then gave him all the information she had. He listened attentively as she talked about morning sickness and sore breasts and all her body aches.

When she finished speaking he hugged her to him. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help, but I’m here now and I’m not leaving.”

“How’s that going to work with what you do for a living?” She lifted an eyebrow. “You’re not exactly the nine-to-five kind of guy.” To put that shit mildly.

He shrugged easily. “I do what I do because I like it, not because I have to. I can stop and I will. I want to be a hands-on dad and partner.”

She laughed. “Is that we are? Partners?”

“We can be whoever and whatever you decide.” He brushed his lips over hers. “I just want us to be us, together.”

She nodded solemnly. “We can do that.” One step at a time.

“Good.” He squeezed her. “So how do you feel now? You hungry, want me to make you something to eat or drink or—”

“Yes, actually.” She slid off him and sat on the couch. “I was about to make me a sandwich.” She waved a hand in the direction of the kitchen. “There’s ham, bananas, and pickles in the fridge. The peanut butter is on the counter. Have at it.”

His eyes widened with each ingredient she named. “That’s—wow.”

“Yeah.” She chuckled. Her cravings were weird.

“Do we know the sex yet?” Cruz got to his feet and went to the kitchen, raising his voice so she could hear him where she reclined on the couch.

“My next appointment is in two weeks,” she said. “We find out then.” “We need a house and toys and clothes and—”

“Slow down there, driver.” She shook her head. “What’s wrong with my house?”

“Are you kidding? It’s not big enough for a growing family like ours.” She resented his tone, but she really liked that he referred to them as a

family. That they were. A family.

He came in minutes later with her sandwich and a glass of the ginger ale she kept all over the place now. She gobbled down the food while Cruz massaged her feet.

I can get used to shit like this.

“Do we agree we need a new house?”

She licked her lips and placed her empty plate on the floor. “Fine.” He grinned and leaned forward, kissing her softly, his curved lips clinging to her. “Thank you for giving me a chance. For our baby, and for loving me.” He met her gaze. “I love you and I’ll spend my life showing you just how much.”

“I love you, too and I’ll hold you to that promise.” She yawned against his mouth. “Now take your baby mama to bed, I’m tired as hell.”

He scooped her up in his arms with a chuckle. “I’m ever at your service, ma’am.”

As she drifted off to sleep she heard him whisper, “So where do you want to live? I was thinking the Bahamas.”

Dahlia smiled.

About Avril

l always wanted to have a sexy bio, one to reflect who I am, but after drawing a blank, l

could only come up with: I eat cake and I read books…ooh, and I write ‘em too. No

one liked it and after massive peer-pressure and pouting, I managed something much…suitable?

A Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y with a tolerant Spousal Equivalent. Together they raise a daughter who loves reading and school (not so much school anymore). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing plot points of The Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother

Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.

Visit: http://www.avrilashton.webs.com http://www.avril-ashton.blogspot.com

Friend Avril on: http://www.facebook.com/writeravrilashton http://www.twitter.com/#!/AvrilAsh

Av’s Books

The Wicked series w/eXtasy Books

A Wicked Ride, bk#1 One Wicked Night, bk#2

In Wicked Chains, bk#3

Paranormal Security Council series w/Total E Bound

Till Abandon, bk#1

Till Surrender, bk#2 *Coming May, 2012

w/Secret Cravings Publishing

w/Evernight Publishing

Make Me Sweat

Dulce: Midnight Seduction: Man Love Edition Anthology Far From the Usual *Coming April, 2012

Make Me Burn *Coming April, 2012

w/Ellora’s Cave

Love The Sinner *Coming Soon