wasn’t going to win. There’s another thing I’m not wearing—panties.
From behind, Ari wraps his arms around me, savoring the life inside me that kicks after each time we make love. He nuzzles the back of my neck. “Saarah…”
No matter how often he breathes my name, my body tingles all over.
“You look like a goddess.”
I sneak a peek of this beautiful man holding me in the mirror. And sometimes I still can’t believe this god is mine.
“And The Toy of the Year Award goes to…”
There is tension in the Waldorf ballroom, I grip Ari’s hand; he squeezes it as I hold my breath.
“Sarah…”
Holy shit.
“Greene-Golden of Ike’s Tikes for Brainy Trainz.”
I don’t know what comes first—Ari’s hug or the screaming applause in the audience.
But I know what comes second. Ari’s kiss. His lips consume mine. A fireworks-like display of sparks shoots inside me. Everywhere.
In shock, I rise slowly, but a surge of adrenaline makes me run up to the stage. Weaving in and out of the tables, I shake hands and accept hugs from well-wishers along the way. An exuberant Fernando and his partner… a dressed-to-the-nines Lauren and her new boyfriend, the therapist, and Ari’s stunning sister Gwen and her husband, Greg. “Congratulations! You look beautiful,” says Gwen after a warm hug. The big smile on my face cannot begin to tell her how beautiful I feel.
I take the steps to the stage two at a time, and dart behind the podium. The Chairman of the North American Toy Association hands me my award. My shaking hands clutch my TOTY award as my eyes survey the audience. I can’t believe it. A standing ovation. For me. My eyes find Ari’s in the crowd. He, too, is standing. He’s holding Ben in his arms. Our smiles connect, and my sweet little boy shoots me a thumbs-up. Oh, how I love this child!
I take a deep breath, loud enough for the audience to hear it. Laughter. The audience takes their seats, and the applause finally dies down.
Speech time. Shit! I didn’t prepare one. I never thought I would win. OK, I’m going to wing it and remember one of my favorite sayings: “Less is best.” Although when it comes to Ari, more is better. I can never have enough of him.
“First, I want to thank Ike Abrams for taking a chance on me…”
My eyes scour the crowd and find my boss beaming.
“I also want to thank my best friend and colleague, Fernando Valásquez, with whom I truly share this award…”
I applaud Fernando as his handsome partner smacks a kiss on his lips.
“…My mother who’s always believed in me.”
I blow her a kiss. Seated next to Ari, she looks so beautiful. She’s still in remission, and her hair has grown back. Though we take each day at a time, Ari and I are both convinced that she’ll live to see our children get married. Amid more applause, she blows the kiss back with both hands. Oh, how I love my mother! Tears prick my eyes as they move to smiley-face Ben.
“…My darling son who’s been my sounding board and inspiration…”
“… And of course, my beloved husband Ari, for making me the woman I am. I love you, my hero.”
I pause as our eyes connect. The tears start rolling. I’m swarmed with emotion.
He mouths back the words “I love you” and blows me an air kiss. I can only imagine what’s going on beneath the table. A freight full of memories bombards me. As I victoriously hold up my award, an encounter in one particular car on a certain Amtrak train fills my head. I jolt.
A sudden rush of warm liquid pours down between my thighs. From somewhere deep inside me. My heart skips a beat. My water’s broken! I smile the biggest smile I’ve ever smiled and stay focused only on the man I love.
“…And last but not least, I dedicate this award to a little Traingirl who’s on her way.”
THE END
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I want to thank my friend, Artemis Hunt, the bestselling author of the new, captivating erotic romance series,
From behind, Ari wraps his arms around me, savoring the life inside me that kicks after each time we make love. He nuzzles the back of my neck. “Saarah…”
No matter how often he breathes my name, my body tingles all over.
“You look like a goddess.”
I sneak a peek of this beautiful man holding me in the mirror. And sometimes I still can’t believe this god is mine.
“And The Toy of the Year Award goes to…”
There is tension in the Waldorf ballroom, I grip Ari’s hand; he squeezes it as I hold my breath.
“Sarah…”
Holy shit.
“Greene-Golden of Ike’s Tikes for Brainy Trainz.”
I don’t know what comes first—Ari’s hug or the screaming applause in the audience.
But I know what comes second. Ari’s kiss. His lips consume mine. A fireworks-like display of sparks shoots inside me. Everywhere.
In shock, I rise slowly, but a surge of adrenaline makes me run up to the stage. Weaving in and out of the tables, I shake hands and accept hugs from well-wishers along the way. An exuberant Fernando and his partner… a dressed-to-the-nines Lauren and her new boyfriend, the therapist, and Ari’s stunning sister Gwen and her husband, Greg. “Congratulations! You look beautiful,” says Gwen after a warm hug. The big smile on my face cannot begin to tell her how beautiful I feel.
I take the steps to the stage two at a time, and dart behind the podium. The Chairman of the North American Toy Association hands me my award. My shaking hands clutch my TOTY award as my eyes survey the audience. I can’t believe it. A standing ovation. For me. My eyes find Ari’s in the crowd. He, too, is standing. He’s holding Ben in his arms. Our smiles connect, and my sweet little boy shoots me a thumbs-up. Oh, how I love this child!
I take a deep breath, loud enough for the audience to hear it. Laughter. The audience takes their seats, and the applause finally dies down.
Speech time. Shit! I didn’t prepare one. I never thought I would win. OK, I’m going to wing it and remember one of my favorite sayings: “Less is best.” Although when it comes to Ari, more is better. I can never have enough of him.
“First, I want to thank Ike Abrams for taking a chance on me…”
My eyes scour the crowd and find my boss beaming.
“I also want to thank my best friend and colleague, Fernando Valásquez, with whom I truly share this award…”
I applaud Fernando as his handsome partner smacks a kiss on his lips.
“…My mother who’s always believed in me.”
I blow her a kiss. Seated next to Ari, she looks so beautiful. She’s still in remission, and her hair has grown back. Though we take each day at a time, Ari and I are both convinced that she’ll live to see our children get married. Amid more applause, she blows the kiss back with both hands. Oh, how I love my mother! Tears prick my eyes as they move to smiley-face Ben.
“…My darling son who’s been my sounding board and inspiration…”
“… And of course, my beloved husband Ari, for making me the woman I am. I love you, my hero.”
I pause as our eyes connect. The tears start rolling. I’m swarmed with emotion.
He mouths back the words “I love you” and blows me an air kiss. I can only imagine what’s going on beneath the table. A freight full of memories bombards me. As I victoriously hold up my award, an encounter in one particular car on a certain Amtrak train fills my head. I jolt.
A sudden rush of warm liquid pours down between my thighs. From somewhere deep inside me. My heart skips a beat. My water’s broken! I smile the biggest smile I’ve ever smiled and stay focused only on the man I love.
“…And last but not least, I dedicate this award to a little Traingirl who’s on her way.”
THE END
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I want to thank my friend, Artemis Hunt, the bestselling author of the new, captivating erotic romance series,
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