Free Valentino's Pregnancy Bombshell by Amy Andrews Page A

Harry, this time it was simply incredible.
    She rose from her chair and in three paces was by McKenzie’s side, picking her up, kissing her face, rocking from side to side. She wanted to spin and twirl, dance like a mad thing, but was aware of the cord attaching McKenzie to the laptop.
    Still McKenzie rocked enthusiastically and giggled, holding tight to her mother’s neck, enjoying the ride. Paige laughed too, giddy with joy and hope, lighter than air.
    â€˜It’s amazing. Amazing, amazing, amazing!’
    Valentino chuckled. ‘Yes, it is.’
    Paige slowed and pulled McKenzie against her for a long hard hug. Valentino was watching them with a big smile, dimples on high beam. Even sitting in his chair, he looked big and broad. His long bronzed fingers rested against the keyboard.
    Fingers that had given the gift of hearing to her daughter.
    â€˜Thank you Valentino. Thank you,’ she said over McKenzie’s head. ‘I don’t know how I could possibly thank you enough. Words just seem…inadequate.’
    Valentino dismissed her words with a quick wave of his hand. McKenzie’s reaction, Paige’s reaction, hadbeen thanks enough. He grinned at her. ‘I have a great job, don’t I?’
    Paige grinned back. ‘Yes, you do.’
    McKenzie squirmed and Paige realised she was still holding her tight. ‘Sorry, darling,’ she said, lowering her to the floor. McKenzie went back to her puzzle as if nothing momentous had happened and Paige laughed again.
    Valentino adored the sound. It was quite melodious and he realised he hadn’t heard her laugh, truly laugh with joy and abandon, until now. He guessed she hadn’t had a whole lot to be happy about in the last three years. He was glad to have been instrumental in it.
    â€˜I like hearing you laugh,’ he murmured.
    Paige dragged her gaze away from her daughter, sobering a little. He was staring at her mouth and there was intenseness in his espresso depths. Her stomach muscles undulated as if he’d brushed seductive fingers against her belly. ‘It’s nice to have something to laugh about for once.’
    Valentino nodded. ‘Shall we continue?’
    Paige drew in a suddenly husky breath. ‘Please.’
    Â 
    That evening Paige flopped down on her couch utterly exhausted. Who’d have thought excitement could wear you out? They’d spent the rest of the day at her parents’ place, watching McKenzie like a hawk, engaging her as much as possible, trying to gauge the extent of her new-found ability.
    On the whole there were no major changes toindicate anything had changed. McKenzie didn’t seem to respond to their voices but Paige had no doubt now that would come. Towards the end of their visit, however, McKenzie did, very obviously, hear the crash when her grandfather accidentally dropped a metal bowl on the kitchen floor, turning instantly towards the sound and running to the kitchen to check it out.
    They spent a hilarious hour dropping as many non-breakables on the floor as possible and revelling in McKenzie’s amazed reactions. It was like watching her discover the world for the first time and Paige seriously doubted she’d ever tire of it.
    There was a long way to go. She knew that. But today had been a resounding success and as she propped her feet up on the lounge, McKenzie tucked up safely in bed, Paige could honestly say she was content.
    She sighed and shut her eyes, weary beyond belief but with a smile on her face. This had been an absolutely fantastic day!
    The sharp peal of the doorbell startled her. Who on earth could that be at…she checked her watch…eight o’clock? She groaned. It was only eight o’clock? It felt like three in the morning.
    Paige struggled out of the chair, a feeling deep down in her gut intensifying the closer she got to the door. It couldn’t be? Could it?
    She eyed her standard trackpants and baggy top and briefly