After The One (The One Series Duet) Read Online Free PDF Page A

lips. “Better?”
    “Much.”
    Freeing my hand from his grasp, I opened the paper and immediately sighed.
    Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda.
    My heart fluttered as I read the words of my favorite poet in the handwriting of my favorite man. Bringing the paper to my chest, I covered it with both hands. I lifted my gaze to find Julian watching me, his expression unreadable, but I could feel the love.
    I love the way he looks at me.
    “Zoe,” he began softly, placing his hands on my hips. He pulled me closer. “I know we had a plan. I know… I know I love you.”
    I wrapped my arms around his neck and searched his face. “I love you, too.”
    My heart drummed in my chest as I tried to figure out what his next words were going to be. I didn’t know why I was nervous, but there was something in the way he bit down on his bottom lip.
    “If the test was right, if it’s positive…” His broad chest lifted and fell with the deep breath he took.
    “Everything will change,” I finished for him.
    “Yeah.” He kissed my forehead before resting his against mine. “But regardless of what we find out tonight—”
    “Zoe Jordan,” a nurse called out, interrupting our moment.
    I held on to Julian’s stare for a second longer before turning toward the voice. “Right here,” I replied, lifting my hand in the air to catch the nurse’s attention.
    Refolding my poem, I tucked it away in my pocket.
    Julian cleared his throat. “I’ll be right here.”
    I looked at him. The insanely talented Greek god of a man that I was in love with stood with his hands stuffed in his pockets, appearing uncertain. I reached my hand out to him.
    “I want you with me.”
    He didn’t hesitate to intertwine his fingers with mine.
    We followed the white-haired nurse through the doors to the clinic and after taking my height and weight, she put us in the third exam room.
    “Change into this gown and the doctor will be with you shortly.” She handed me a blue cloth gown and gave Julian a look. “Young man, will you follow me please? It’ll just take a minute.”
    She turned on her heels, leaving Julian and I in a stunned silence. We stared at each other with our mouths hanging open, stifling our laughter.
    “I think you’re in trouble,” I whispered, giggling behind my hand as he stood and followed the nurse out of the room.
    Once I was alone, I stripped out of my clothes and stood in front of the full-length mirror. I pulled the hair tie out of my hair and shook my kinky curls out before repositioning the ponytail, keeping the hair off of my neck. I took a second to appreciate the way the emerald green bra and panties complimented my bronze skin.
    I love this bra.
    My C-cup breasts spilled from the top of the bra sexily. I cocked my head to the side and ran my hands down the curve of my waist before settling on the fullness of my hips. I turned to the side and put my hand on my belly.
    Although the scale confirmed I’d lost seven pounds, the voice in the back of my head still nagged at me.
    I’m pregnant.
    “You’re beautiful.” Julian’s voice cut through the room, startling me. I turned my head toward his voice quickly. My body heated as I watched his eyes rake over my body. He shook his head as if he were in a daze and then gave me a smile. “The doctor wants to know if you’re ready.”
    I pulled on the gown and tied it closed in record time. “Ready!”
    Julian laughed and then opened the curtain.
    A balding man with thick black glasses followed him into the room.
    “Hello, Zoe. I’m Dr. Nelson, how are you?”
    I shook his outstretched hand. “I’m well, thank you. How are you?”
    “I’m pretty good for an old man,” he joked. “What brings you in tonight?”
    “Well, I’ve been extremely busy for the past three months working on a case I was expected to lose.” My words started tumbling out of my mouth in a rush. “I started my cycle a week after getting assigned to the case and then two weeks later, Julian went