Page 221 of Fierce Storm
“Why not?” She pouts and it’s so adorable I want to laugh, but I also don’t want to wake Linc. “It’s impossible to keep things hidden these days,” Hayley whispers as I open the door, her expression screaming “so there.”
“It was a friend’s photography project in college. Trust me—you’re not going to find it.” I lift our perfect little human into my arms and almost tell Hayley she’s wrong about his height. At just over two months old, he still looks tiny to me.
“I have to see these photos,” Hayley continues on as she shuts the car door and runs around to grab Lincoln’s bag from the trunk.
“Sorry, butIhave to get Linc inside,” I tease, making her huff.
“This conversation isn’t over, Reedy Boy.”
“Oh, I know. And I’m the fool that brought it up.”
“Yeah, you are.” Hayley bounces her eyebrows and I roll my eyes, waiting for her to unlock the front door before carrying Linc to his bedroom down the hall from ours.
I’m on edge as I lower him into his crib, mentally crossing my fingers that he’ll stay asleep. He stretches his long legs before tucking his perfect little hands up to his chin and scrunching his nose. A few seconds later, he’s quiet and I finally release my breath.
After grabbing the monitor, I pull his door softly closed and turn to creep away, jumping when I find Hayley waiting by the door. “Jesus Christ, Hayls. What are you doing?”
“Waiting for you.”
“Did you have to wait so close?”
“I did. Where are the photos, Reed?” She taps her foot and I burst out laughing, covering my mouth to stifle the noise.
“Bedroom, Hayls. Now.”
“Uh-uh. I’m not giving you anything?—”
With one smooth movement, I grab her around the legs and throw her over my shoulder, turning her complaint into a squeal.
“You can’t do this every time you want me to go somewhere.”
“Sure I can. Did you see how easy that was?”
When we get to our bedroom, I toss her gently onto the bed, staring down at my beautiful wife. “God, you’re incredible, Mrs. Coombs.”
“It’s Ms. Jackman.”
“Nope. The people get to call you Ms. Jackman. To me, you’re Mrs. Coombs.”
She tries unsuccessfully to hide a grin and I chuckle softly. From the moment we said I do, in a much smaller ceremonythan we’d originally planned, Hayley announced herself as Mrs. Coombs, before the officiant did. She loves having my name, but has kept Jackman for work.
“Fine, Mr. Coombs. May I pretty please see the photos of your modeling career?” She bats her eyelashes and...
Dammit. The things I do for this woman.
“Anything for you, Hayley Baby. But you have to promisemesomething.”
“What’s that?”
“You won’t laugh.”
“Oh, Reed. There is no way I will ever make that promise.”
ZANE
Blair’s quiet on our way home, but there’s an energy buzzing around her that wasn’t present earlier in the night, and I’m dying to know what it is.
“Did you have a good night?” she asks, trying to keep her cool.
