Page 36 of Bless My Heart

He keeps his eyes on the road but says, “Well, I wouldn’t mind seeing you on your knees.” I turn to see that smirk pulling on his lips. “But you’ll never have to beg me, Hazel. Like I said before, I’m here because I want to be.”

I can’t help but smile at his words.

On the drive home, I think about everything that happened last night. Wes’s hands on me. His tongue. Oh God, his tongue. I didn’t even know orgasms could be so intense.

A sinking feeling fills my stomach when we drive into Brunswick and pass by the University.

I crossed a line last night. I shouldn’t have done that. It’s one thing to pretend to be in a relationship, but it’s another to act on it and be intimate.

I could lose my job if anyone got wind of what happened last night. At least I got pregnant before the semester started, but now … now I would have no way to explain myself out of trouble if someone found out.

It tears my heart apart. I hate that I can’t give Wes more. I want to, so badly. But it would hurt my reputation, and it could affect Wes, too. If someone found out and accused me of fixing his grades—even though I’m not and would never—he might have to take the class over, which would delay his graduation.

Hell, they might not even allow him to graduate. I don’t know how these things work. I’ve never been involved with a student, so I’ve never thought to look into it.

Wes walks me up to my door when we get to my apartment building.

“You were awfully quiet on the drive here. What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” he asks, leaning against the doorframe while I set my stuff down in the living room.

I take a deep breath. There’s no way around this. I’ve just got to come out at say it.

“Wes, thank you for this weekend. Everything went better than I expected, obviously. You were perfect.”

I look up, and he has a little smirk plastered on his face. He’s waiting for something to drop. “But?”

“But we can’t have a repeat of last night. I crossed a line. It’s one thing to pretend to be in a relationship, but it’s completely different to act on it.”

“Why are you so scared? Why do you keep fighting this? We’re both attracted to each other. A we’re having a freaking baby. We should be allowed to do this.”

“I know, Wes. I know. But I could lose my job, and it could hurt your reputation in the finance program. I just don’t want this to have bad repercussions for either of us.”

“So, what are you saying? What do you want?”

“I think we need to spend some time apart. I need to clear my head, so I think we should just see each other at school for now.”

“For now?”

“Yes.” He nods slowly but doesn’t seem angry. He almost seems…amused. As if I’m playing a joke on him.

“I’m sorry, Wes.”

“No need to be sorry. I don’t want you to lose your job. I know you’ve worked hard for it. I just want you to know I’m not going anywhere, ok? I’ll give you space if that’s what you need, but I’m always going to be around. I’m always going to want you.”

He takes a step closer to me and puts his hands on my belly. “Remember the magic we can make, ok? Think about it when you miss me. When you want me inside you. And when you’re ready, I’ll be right here to make those sparks fly all over again. You just say the word.”

He leans down and presses a gentle kiss to my lips. It doesn’t feel like a goodbye, though. It almost feels like a challenge.

“I’ll see you around, Dr. Greenwood.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

WES

Hazel wants to be difficult now.

Ok, I can deal with that. I’ve never backed down from a challenge. I get that she’s worried about her job, and I appreciate her concern for me. But, we have this thing. I can’t explain it, but it’s there.

She knows it and is scared. That’s why she’s trying to push me away. She doesn’t understand the feeling that passes between us. Trust me, I don’t understand it either.