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‘Eight!’

‘It’s never been about that’ Her whisper was soft, her breathing fast and deep She couldn’t hold out against this for long Not when she loved him so much

‘Seven!’

‘I was a da and I abused that love in the worst way possible, but I want to spend the rest ofyou’

‘Six!’

‘And the baby?’ She drew in a ragged breath as he lowered his gaze ‘Max?’

‘Five!’

‘Our baby will have all the love it can ever want from its father because I’m not my father I’m not the cold, hard, mercenary man he was, not when I love my ith all my heart’

‘Four!’

It was just seconds until the new year, until a fresh start, and Lisa knew she couldn’t ignore that omen, couldn’t turn Max ahen her heart ached so badly for him and he’d finally destroyed the barrier of steel he’d spent so long behind

‘Oh, Max,’ she whispered as shehis Almost

The look on his face, the purity of the love she could see in his eyes ed what needed to be said What he needed to hear

‘I love you, Max So much’

‘Three!’

His lips claimed hers in a hard kiss as the hand at the nape of her neck pulled her toward him Her arms wound around his neck and she kissed him as if her life depended on it

‘Two!’

He pulled back from her, still so close ‘It’s time for a fresh start You and I and our baby’

‘One!’

‘The perfect ti with it all the pain and heartache

‘Happy New Year!’