The Contract by Marsh, Nicola (read aloud books .txt) 📕

“Enough.” Luke covered his ears with his hands. “I’ve already apologised. Leave it alone, will you?”

Matt chuckled. “Sounds like we need to find you a woman, Saunders. The sooner the better, before you start cracking onto my wife too.”

“You two are a real riot. Why don’t you go play happy families and leave me the hell alone.”

Luke tried to look fierce for a moment but ended up joining in the laughter. “Besides, you’re cramping my style. I didn’t know Kara had so many cute friends.”

Steve glanced around the crowd, noticing quite a few attractive women. None of them captured his attention like his wife, resplendent in matching maternity pants and top made from a slinky, black material that clung to her lush curves and outlined the swell of his child nestled deep in her belly. She looked up at that moment, as if sensing his gaze, and smiled at him across the lawn.

A strange tremor shot through him, his reaction to her beauty almost visceral at times. He loved her with every fibre of his being.

Matt nudged Luke. “Don’t look now, but Rockwell’s making eyes at his wife. Doesn’t it make you sick?”

Luke nodded. “You both do. Later.” He strolled away, making a beeline for a group of beautiful women in designer dresses.

Matt jerked his head towards the bevy of beauties. “Do you miss it, Rockwell? The thrill of the chase?”

“Hell, no.”

Matt laughed and glanced over at Kara. “Me either. Give me good, old-fashioned loving any day.”

“Amen to that.”

Steve’s gaze drifted back to Amber, who beckoned him over. “Duty calls, Byrne. Catch you later.”

Amber met him halfway across the lawn. “My ears were burning. Singing my praises again?”

He chuckled. “Loud and clear, sweetheart. What did you want?”

She stood on tiptoe and tried to press against him, no mean feat considering her girth.

“To tell you this.”

She cupped a hand to his ear and whispered, “I love you, Hotshot.”

Reaching for her, he pulled her rounded body into his arms, eternally grateful for the joy she’d brought into his life.

Burying his face in the soft, fragrant skin between her neck and shoulder, he whispered, “The feeling is entirely mutual.”

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READ THE ‘ROMANCE IN THE CITY’ SERIES.

MY CHARMING ENEMY

MY SECRET CRUSH

MY SECOND CHANCE

MY BEWITCHING BOSS

MY REBEL GROOM

MY FOREVER GUY

MY ROMANTIC EX

And check out the EXOTIC ESCAPES series.

HOT PROPOSAL

HOT SHOT

HOT STUFF

HOT SEAL

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BRASH

BLUSH

BOLD

BAD

BOMBSHELLS BOXED SET

The WORLD APART series

WALKING THE LINE (FREE!)

CROSSING THE LINE

TOWING THE LINE

BLURRING THE LINE

WORLD APART BOXED SET

The HOT ISLAND NIGHTS duo

WICKED NIGHTS

WANTON NIGHTS

The BOLLYWOOD BILLIONAIRES series

FAKING IT

The LOOKING FOR LOVE series

LUCKY LOVE

CRAZY LOVE

Check out Nicola’s website for a full list of her books.

About the Author

USA TODAY bestselling and multi-award winning author Nicola Marsh writes feel-good fiction…with a twist.

She’s published 70 books and sold 8 million copies worldwide.

She currently writes contemporary romance for Penguin Random House USA Berkley imprint, domestic suspense for Hachette UK’s Bookouture imprint, and rural romance for Harper Collins Australia’s Mira imprint.

She’s also a Waldenbooks, Bookscan, Amazon, iBooks and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a RBY (Romantic Book of the Year) and National Readers’ Choice Award winner, and a multi-finalist for a number of awards including the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, Booksellers’ Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath, and More than Magic.

A physiotherapist for thirteen years, she now adores writing full time, raising her two dashing young heroes, sharing fine food with family and friends, and her favorite, curling up with a good book!