Just One More Temptation (The Sterling Family Book 4)

Another Six Months Later

Noah waited for Fallon to walk down the aisle escorted by her father. As he stood and looked over the crowd of family and close friends, he thought over the last year of his life, which had turned out better than he could have hoped for. The twins had adjusted to Fallon moving in easily and she’d stepped into the role of stepmom like a champ. She didn’t let them get away with their shenanigans but had a special way of dealing with them to avoid anger, tantrums or tears. Sometimes. They were kids, after all.

And it meant everything to him to fall asleep with her in his arms at night and wake up beside her in the morning. Now they’d make it legal before heading to Aruba for their honeymoon. The girls waited inside, dressed in light blue dresses, looking too old for his liking and utterly beautiful. Along with Brooke, they were Fallon’s maids of honor. Though she could have made them junior bridesmaids, she said she’d wanted to give them starring roles to show how important they were to her.

The music started and the processional began. Noah fidgeted in anticipation, appreciating those in the wedding party, especially his daughters who walked down side by side. No giggling, they were little ladies and he couldn’t be more proud.

They stood close by him, and the bridesmaids and groomsmen stood in a line on either side. Finally, the “Wedding March” began and the curtains at the end of the aisle parted. Fallon appeared, her arm hooked around her father’s, and they started down the aisle.

She took his breath away in a stunning, strapless gown fitted to her lithe body. One look at her and all he wanted was to say I do, drag her into a private room, and ravage his wife.

He made it through the ceremony, speaking over the lump in his throat. He was touched by the sheen of tears in her eyes as he slipped the diamond band onto her finger beside her mother’s stone.

They were declared husband and wife and he pulled her into his arms, dipped her low, and kissed his bride. Hand in hand, they walked up the aisle to the cheers and whistles of their guests. A few short minutes later and he had her alone in the bridal room and pulled her into his arms.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Powers.”

She smiled, beaming, her face flushed. “Congratulations to you, Mr. Powers.”

“I thought the ceremony would never end. Now that you’re mine, I can breathe.”

Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes. “I have a surprise for you.”

“Is it a string bikini for the honeymoon?”

She laughed at his comment. “I have one of those, yes, but that isn’t it.” She stepped out of his embrace and walked over to the small, white pearl purse on the counter. “I hope it’s a good surprise even if it is an unplanned one.”

He narrowed his gaze, wondering what she had for him. “I will love anything you give me, sweetheart. You know that.”

She turned back to him, her throat moving as she visibly swallowed hard. “I hope so,” she whispered, holding up a white stick. Turning it toward him, a plus sign was visible. “Surprise! I’m pregnant.”

He heard the hesitancy in her tone, the slightly fearful hitch to her voice. Still, he took a second to process the news, then grinned. “Seriously?”

“I wouldn’t joke about this. Please tell me you’re happy.”

He lowered himself to one knee, leaned forward, and pressed a kiss to her still flat belly. “I don’t know how it happened but I told you I’d be lucky as hell if you were pregnant and I meant it, Fallon. I love you.”

Rising, he glanced at her face. Large crocodile tears had formed in her eyes. “Really?”

“Truly.”

“Remember when I had strep?”

“How could I forget? It ran rampant throughout the house.” And all four of them had come down with the infection.

She nodded. “The antibiotic affected the pill I take and, to be honest, we were so busy, it never dawned on me. I know we said we’d wait but—”

“But we’re having a baby. It’s great news,” he assured her, pressing his mouth to hers. “Let’s go share the news!” He braced, bent at the knees, and lifted her into his arms, carrying her out of the bridal room and into the cocktail hour.

“We’re having a baby!” he yelled out and they spent the next half hour accepting congratulations and listening to the twins argue about what roles they’d each step up and help with.

* * *

Fallon was dizzy from the whirlwind events of the day. Between finding out she was pregnant this morning, getting married, and dancing the night away, she was ready to collapse. She stood by their small table of four with sweetheart chairs for Noah and Fallon, and regular ones for the twins. Of course, they popped into the oversize chairs with large fan-style backs every chance they got.

Noah strode up to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Hi,” he said, speaking in her ear to be heard over the band.

“Hi, yourself.”

“Check it out,” Noah said, tipping his head toward the bar in the back of the room.

She scanned the dance floor, watching the twins dance with her father and Noah’s parents, her gaze landing on the bar. The area was empty but for her brother Jared and Charlie.

He handed her a drink, picked up his glass, and together they walked toward a secluded corner of the room, their heads together as they spoke.

“Well, that’s interesting,” she said, smiling at the sight. “I wouldn’t have thought they were each other’s type. Who knew?”

“She’s headed back for another four to six months,” he reminded Fallon. Charlie, who’d been happy for them, had flown in for the wedding.

She nodded. “I don’t think Jared’s looking for anything serious. Though he’s the quieter one. I don’t know what he really wants.” With a shrug, she said, “As long as they enjoy each other’s company, I’m happy for them.”

“And it’s none of our business.”

“But it is fun to speculate.”

She turned toward him. “I’m ready to go up to our hotel room.” They’d reserved the bridal suite for the night before they left tomorrow. The twins would be staying with Noah’s parents while they were away since Charlie would be returning to her dig in Egypt.

He placed a proprietary hand over her stomach, something he’d been doing all night. “I can’t wait to peel you out of this dress,” he said in a husky voice.

“Then what are we waiting for?”

After saying quick good nights, Noah picked her up—again—and carried her across the threshold of the suite where he did, indeed, strip her out of the dress and make love to her all night long.