The Purest of Diamonds(77)

                ‘Strange. I’ve never seen you like that, Leila—’

                She huffed with amusement. ‘Whether you have or not, I can’t be like that ever again, because I’m going to be a mother and I’ve got these two to think about.’ Her face lit up. ‘Two babies at one time! Who’d have thought it?’

                ‘I would. And you’ve never been the mouse you think you are. Your sisters always turn to you for advice—can’t you see that? They trust you to be cool and calm when you consider a problem.’

                ‘Like now?’ she said dryly.

                ‘There’s a difference between keeping your voice down, and being quiet and retiring, and the fact you don’t shout the odds as loudly as your sisters doesn’t mean you can’t be heard. In fact, yours is the voice we all remember.’

                Wrapping his arms around her, he drew Leila close so he could rest his face against her belly. His heart filled with love the moment he felt movement beneath him. It made him laugh; it made him smile. It was a miracle and he was part of it. Even more of a miracle was the fact that the babies and Leila had allowed him to feel after so many years of denying that pleasure. Thanks to them he could let loose his emotions and experience every life-changing moment to the full from now on. Reaching up, he drew Leila into his arms and kissed her, but what began as a tender expression of his love for Leila, and for their children, soon grew in passion. ‘I’ll never leave you again,’ he pledged fiercely.

                ‘Even if I want you to?’ she challenged with a smile against his mouth.

                ‘Even then.’

                ‘Except for when you have to be away on business,’ she guessed.

                ‘I’ve only got a couple of appointments before Christmas and then I’m going to devote myself to you and the babies.’

                ‘Really?’

                ‘Give me your shopping list,’ Raffa murmured.

                ‘Most of what I want can be found right here,’ she whispered. ‘But if you’re serious...’

                ‘Absolutely.’

                She could taste her tears on Raffa’s mouth, but she could see her happiness reflected in his eyes. Like him, she had smothered her emotions, fearing them, but they had freed each other and she felt a settling and a peace inside her that she had never known before.

                ‘I’ve never seen you like this,’ Raffa said as she sniffed and laughed.

                ‘You’ve never seen me this pregnant before.’

                Raffa’s sexy mouth slanted in a smile that warmed her through. ‘I must admit two babies does account for some extra hormonal activity.’

                Leila was just content to relish the strength of his arms and the sense of being safe.

                ‘It’s so good to be home finally, Leila.’

                ‘And so surprising to want both the man and the baby,’ she teased Raffa gently as he rested his brow against hers.

                ‘Babies,’ he reminded her wryly. ‘What?’ he queried lazily, brushing her lips with his.

                ‘I thought we were going to have something to eat?’

                ‘We are,’ he confirmed. ‘But not yet.’