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My eyes popped open at the low, sexy whisper that sent a shiver through my body, and I gasped. His brown eyes were just inches from my face and I couldn’t look away, not from the worried expression on his face or the half-smile that tugged up one side of his face. “What smells so good?”
Miles chuckled and shook his head. “You’ve got a one-track mind, woman. Sit up. I made you some pancakes. They should be easier to get down than lobster quesadillas.”
My stomach lurched. “Don’t say those words, please.”
“Up you go,” he said and tugged my arms until I was upright. Miles set the platter on my lap and I looked down at the steaming cup of tea and the stack of three pancakes with no butter and just a light coating of syrup. “Take a small bite and chew slowly.”
“This is so sweet, Miles. Thank you.” My voice came out on a shaky whisper and I looked away, shoving the urge to cry down deep, because there would be no hiding my condition if I got all emotional over pancakes. “Thank you for caring, Miles. For taking care of me. You really are a good friend.”
Something flickered in his gaze but he covered it quickly. “Yeah, thanks.”
It wasn’t the words he wanted or hoped to hear, but they were true. “I think you just might be my best friend.”
Those words brought a sweet, genuine smile to his face and Miles stood tall, hands shoved deep in his pockets. “That is an unexpected compliment and I now I know you’re sicker than you’re letting on.” I opened my mouth to argue but Miles pointed at me. “Eat.”
“I am eating. They’re delicious, thanks.”
“You’re welcome, Shannon. You know I’d do anything I can to help you. Anything.” He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my cheek, giving me a chance to inhale his scent. “Call me if you need something, Shannon.” His gaze wouldn’t leave mine until I nodded.
“I promise.” There was only so much he could do to help at the moment so when he turned his back to me, ready to leave and get on with his night, I knew exactly what I needed. “Stay.” The word popped out of my mouth before I could stop myself. “Please? I don’t want to be alone tonight.” I was a jerk for not telling him the truth and asking such a big favor, but all I knew was that I needed Miles tonight. Needed to feel that warmth and that safety that I felt whenever he was around.
“You sure?”
I nodded, certain about this when I wasn’t sure about anything else. “I am.”
“Okay.” It was just that simple for Miles, which only made it harder to stay silent, so I went upstairs and changed into my pajamas before I snuggled into the crook of his arm while we watched a horror movie.
Part of a horror movie, anyway. I fell asleep before the movie ended, which I did often these days, and when I woke up for a middle of the night trip to the bathroom, I was in my bedroom. In my bedroom with the hot, hard muscles of Mile’s upper body wrapped tightly around me. No wonder I slept so soundly. His heartbeat was slow and steady, his body heat so protective and comforting I had to pry myself away from him to use the bathroom and I hurried back as quickly as I possibly could, sliding right into that same spot with a soft sigh.
My heart stuttered to a stop and then kicked into high gear, excited by just the proximity of this man and that’s when I knew. I was in real trouble. I didn’t just feel a general affection for Miles and this wasn’t just platonic love, it was something much deeper. Something real and messy and wonderful.
Something I couldn’t have. Not with this man and not while I was pregnant with his baby and lying to him about it. Those thoughts and feelings kept me awake for most of the night, sleeping in fits and starts, as guilt and fear weighed heavy on me.
When the first streaks of sun lit the sky and Miles stirred beside me, I pretended to be asleep, unable to face the man or the feelings he stirred within me. I listened to him move around the room, the only sound in the room that of the fabric of his t-shirt sliding over his arms and down his back, the rough scratch of denim as he put on his jeans, and the soft thud of his footsteps as he left the bedroom and then the house.
Leaving me alone with my thoughts. My hopes. My dreams for the future.
Eventually that fake sleep turned real and I fell into a dreamland where Miles and I could be together.
