Tangled: A Moreno Brothers novella by Elizabeth Reyes Read Free Book Online

never happens to me. I was so relieved when you
weren’t mad about it.”
    Damn it. He should’ve known Izzy would be hard on herself over
something like this, and then his dumb ass goes and accuses her of forgetting the kids.
    “I’m an asshole,” he said, kissing her again. “I wasn’t mad at
you then and I’m not now. I know you’d never forget them, babe. It was a stupid
choice of words.” He kissed her again and again because the more he thought
about it the more he realized how upset with herself she must’ve been. He’d
completely misinterpreted the panic he’d seen in her eyes. “Seriously,” he said,
bringing his arms around her tightly and wanting nothing more than to assure
her he was fine with her not being so perfect all the time. “I was just
curious. But don’t beat yourself up about this, Izzy. Manny got them and there
was no harm done. If it ever happens again, one of those two will always be
around.” He shrugged with a smile, remembering how puffed up his uncles’ chests
had gotten when Izzy had informed them she’d added their names to the kids’
emergency contact info. “Those two love feeling needed.”
    He pulled back to look at her, and to his relief, she didn’t seem
so upset anymore. She even smiled weakly. “Yeah, well, don’t expect it to
happen ever again.”
    He smiled even bigger now. “Izzy, never say never. I know you’re
perfect, but there are things even you have no control over. Shit happens. So
if this ever happens again, don’t sweat it. No one’s gonna be mad at you, least
of all me, okay?” He leaned his forehead against hers. “I’m sorry I upset you. You
forgive me?”
    Smiling a little bigger this time, she raised an eyebrow then
surprised him by placing her hand over the front of his briefs, instantly
getting a rise out of him. “Depends on how you plan on making it up to me.”
    Groaning, he lifted her in his arms, overwhelmed with relief that
their night hadn’t been ruined after all. “Oh, I’ll make it up to you in more
ways than one.”
    She giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck as he rushed her
back to the bed. The moment he realized the naughty lingerie she’d bought was
crotch-less he knew the first time was going to be fast. After that, he’d take
it slowly. Now that he’d managed to fix what could’ve easily taken a more
disastrous turn, he had every intention of making it up to her all night.
     

 
     
     
    Five
    Late
     
    T
    hat marathon lovemaking night almost a month ago had
come back to haunt Isabel. As satisfying as it was, she was fairly certain that
night was the culprit. Now here she was at Valerie’s house, waiting on the
results of her home-pregnancy test.
    This was more of a formality just so she could confirm it. She
already knew she was. She was two full weeks late. Her breasts were tender, and
even morning sickness had already started. It was still mild enough that Romero
hadn’t noticed, but it was enough that she was certain she was pregnant.
    At first, when she’d been late, she’d been sort of pissed at
herself. Why hadn’t she been more responsible? But as the weeks passed while
she waited for more time to go by before she took the test, she’d begun to get
excited.
    Another baby.
    The thought alone made her smile. This was why she’d initially
said she’d wait until next year to decide. Unlike Romero what had accused her
of, her mind hadn’t been made up. She really was on the fence about another
baby. Now she couldn’t be happier. But this close to Christmas she decided,
along with Valerie’s eager encouragement, she’d surprise Romero.
    Isabel knew how badly he wanted another baby. This would be hands
down the best gift she could give him. This worked out in more ways than one.
He’d warned her more than once subtly and not so subtly that working even part-time
and dealing with the house and kids would be too much. And she’d be damned if
she was going to bring in some young nanny to raise