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The Photographer Page 4


  I smile back at him and give a subtle nod as we both turn and face the pastor.

  “Dearly beloved, we are assembled here in the presence of family and friends to celebrate the joining together of Axel and Harper in the holy covenant of marriage.”

  For just a second, the photographer in me worries that there’s no camera behind the alter. I’ve always thought ceremony photos that only show the backs of the bride and groom are so boring, but then I see one of the photographers off the side, camera at the ready. I force myself to relax, to focus on being the bride for a change. After working, and so much more, with Axel for a little over a year I should know he wouldn’t hire just anyone to cover our wedding.

  I suddenly realize the pastor and my husband-to-be are looking at me expectantly. Oh. Crap. Definitely not the time to be thinking of photography. Luckily, I know they can only be waiting on one thing. I smile at Axel. “I do.”

  Epilogue 2

  Axel

  I hold my beautiful wife close as we stand in front of the fireplace, admiring the new portrait hanging over the mantle. It’s a breathtaking painting of Harper, topless, her arms folded gently over her pregnant belly. The artist, a young woman who goes by the name Umbra, works exclusively with black, white, and shades of gray to create images that should be stark with their contrast but are, instead, gentle, almost peaceful. Incredible talent, and I was thrilled when I learned the artist was a woman because, otherwise, this particular pose — our favorite — wouldn’t have happened. There’s simply no way another man will ever see my wife in such an intimate pose.

  I feel her gaze upon me and glance down at her, looking into her gorgeous blue eyes. “What are you thinking?” she asks.

  I smile and squeeze her shoulder. “I’m thinking I’m the luckiest man in the world to have such a beautiful woman by my side.”

  She stands up on her tiptoes and kisses me. “That’s sweet. Want to know what I’m thinking?”

  I nod. “Always.”

  She places a hand on my chest, letting it slowly slide down. “I’m thinking that I never realized pregnancy would make me horny. All. The. Time.” Her hand slides between my legs and squeezes. She flashes me a wicked grin. “Think you can help with that?”

  I grin back at her. “Actually, I think I can.”

  ****

  Also by Becca Colton

  Art Lovers Trilogy

  The Collector

  The Artist

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  Copyright Notice

  Copyright © August 2019 Becca Colton

  Cover image © Can Stock Photo / StarsStudio

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations used for review purposes.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, organizations, actual events or locales is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademark status of products referred to in this book and acknowledges that trademarks have been used without permission.

  This book is intended for mature, adult audiences only. It contains extremely sexually explicit and graphic scenes and language which may be considered offensive by some readers. This book is strictly intended for those over the age of 18.

  All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older. All acts of a sexual nature are completely consensual. No one is related in this book.