Page 45

“Tasha,” I say, cupping her cheek, my voice soft but firm, “you already are a success. Look at you, you’re working, going to college, handling more responsibility than most people twice your age. Everyone around you sees it. Hell, I see it every day.”

Her bright eyes search mine, and I can see the hint of doubt, the flicker of hope, and it kills me that she can’t see herself the way I do.

“You’re an amazing woman, Tasha. And whatever you choose, whether it’s this life, or another, you’ve got people who believe in you. And you’ve got me.”

“I’m scared,” she whispers to me.

“I know,” I tell her, rocking her back and forth.

“I don’t feel good,” she says to me. “The morning sickness…” Her voice trails off and I lean back to look down at her.

“Come on,” I say. “Let’s call it a day and head back home. I'll drive. We can get your car tomorrow.”

She nods and lets me take her by the hand and lead her to my truck. I help her get into the passenger seat, and then I climb in myself and start driving.

We aren’t that far from the exit to head out of the city, but she falls asleep almost right away, frowning in her sleep.

I want to wipe the frown off her face when I glance over at her as I drive. The thing is, I have no idea what comes next. Do we get married? Does she even want to have me involved with the baby? Is she going to even keep it?

That last thought turns my stomach and I close my eyes briefly before turning down the lane toward my driveway. I won’t think about that now.

When we stop in front of the house, she stirs a little, blinking at me sleepily. “We’re here?”

“Yes,” I tell her, coming around to her side and lifting her out of the truck. I carry her in my arms to my bedroom and help her slip out of her work clothing.

“Do you want a bath?” I ask her, and she nods silently.

I get the bath filled up and help her to climb in, then go to the kitchen to get her some food and a bottle of water.

When I come back, she’s washed her hair, but it seems that she’s fallen asleep again, her head leaning against the soft padded headrest in my fancy tub.

“All done?” I ask her. “I brought you some food.”

“Okay,” she says dreamily. “Thank you.”

I wrap her up in my bathrobe, which is huge on her, and then bring her into my bedroom. I turn on the fireplace and sit her down in front of it, putting the tray of food on the end table next to her.

I watch her pick at her food like a sleepwalker for a while. Finally, she turns to look at me.

“I don’t think I can eat any more,” she says to me.

“Let’s get you in bed,” I agree, pulling her to her feet and slipping her out of the bathrobe. “Do you want pajamas?”

She shakes her head, curling up in a ball. “I just want you,” she says to me, looking over her shoulder invitingly.

I sigh. I should let her rest, but I give in to temptation and slide under the covers with her. Her body is so warm that I feel a prickle of sweat tingle over my skin.

“I want you,” she breathes to me, flipping around and slipping under the covers.

Soon I feel her lips wrapping around my cock, stroking back and forth, bringing me out of my sleepy state and into full arousal. Her hands wrap around my hips, one cupping my ass cheek as she bobs back and forth, back and forth, making my toes curl and sending my eyes rolling in the back of my head.

I tangle my hand gently in her hair, tugging lightly. She sighs, which makes my cock lift with pleasure, and I feel my hips gently rock toward her, mimicking her motions, and she moans again.

Her hand is between her legs, whipping back and forth, a small, wet, sloshing sound coming from her busy hand.

“Here, let me,” I say, placing my finger beneath her tiny chin and lifting her face up toward me. I crawl on top of her, kissing up her perfect feet, across her angular ankles, which are trim and beautiful.

I lift her left leg in the air, my lips trailing along the inside, past her knee, past her mid-thigh. I watch her head tilt back, an impatienthuffin her sighs.