Outer Core Read Online Free PDF Page B

contain love I feel for him and the thought of the potential outcome of our lovemaking, I feel my throat swell. A shiny screen suffuses my eyes when my hands haste to grab his face and pull his mouth to mine.
    Deep inside of me, Daniel stills, gazing at me. A creases forms between his eyebrows as he leans in for his lips to kiss the moist trail under my eye. “Hales, I love you so much, it aches. I never want this pain to go away. Nothing feels this incredible.”
    I swallow hard because it is painfully incredible, and it’s a feeling that’s scarce and precious beyond comprehension.
    Â 
    â€œHales?” Daniel’s husky voice pulls me out of my post-ecstasy soaring, blissfully sprawled on his warm body. Lazily, I raise my head from his chest.
    â€œYou’re quiet . . .”
    â€œJust thinking, you know.”
    â€œI hope it will look like you. A mini version of you,” he says next.
    A smile, the naughty kind, crawls up my lips. “God forbid it will take after its daddy. We’ll have a psycho kid.”
    â€œI’m giving you a second and a half to take that back. I can’t be held accountable for my actions if you don’t.”
    I narrow my eyes at his humored hazel ones. His scarred lip tips up. Before I know it, I’m on my back with an amused Daniel straddling me, holding my hands stretched above my head. I roll my eyes in utter joy. He shifts to hold my hands with one hand while the other travels right to my most ticklish spot.
    â€œNo!” I beg through choked laughter, which of course just encourages him to take even greater pleasure in my misery. “Please, Daniel . . .” Nothing. “I take it back,” I exhale, trying to even my breathing.
    Daniel stops his assault, his lips in a gigantic grin. He dips to press a light kiss on my panting lips. “I never want to do life without you again,” he says, shooting a warm surge right through me.
    Saying things like that could be irreparable to a girl’s heart, D.

Chapter 7
The One Thing
    Daniel
    Â 
    It’s the third time I’ve tried to read this damn long email. My thoughts wander with each attempt. Wander off to the one place that sets my mind at ease. A smile tugs at my lips as snippets from last weekend run through my mind. I shake my head grinning. Fucking surreal . Hales might be pregnant with my child.
    â€œMr. Stark, I’m sorry. Can I interrupt for a moment?”
    I give Anne a sharp gaze. “It’s the kind of question that should be asked at the door, not halfway through the room.”
    Anne’s round cheeks tint with a smear of a pink hue. I sigh and fold my shirt’s sleeves to my elbows, waiting for her to speak.
    â€œDo you still want to talk to Ms. Taylor, or would you like me to reschedule the meeting?”
    My jaw clutches. “It’s on the calendar, right?” I ask, irritation rapidly taking over my patience.
    â€œUm, yes.” Her edginess grows. She presses the stack of papers she’s holding closer to her chest.
    â€œWhy would I want to reschedule then?”
    â€œOkay, I see. I will call her right in.” Hastily spinning around, she almost loses her balance and leaves the room. My eyes meet the ceiling.
    Waiting for Natasha to come in, I give Hayley’s framed photo a quick glance. I can’t even try to fight the grin that’s spreading on my lips.
    Nodding, I gesture for Natasha to take a seat as she greets me.
    â€œOkay, I’ll cut to the chase,” I say, leaning back in my chair and steepling my fingers.
    â€œOh, wow . . .” Natasha gapes at me for an absorbing moment, her mouth rounded with surprise. I wait for her to digest everything I just told her, offered her. “Um.” She straightens up and wets her lips. “Do you need an immediate answer?”
    I shake my head. “I wouldn’t expect you to have an answer right away. Think about it.