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Cord’s silky avowal reminded her that they were really back together again. It was wonderful. She needed to tell him all the things she was feeling in her heart, but too much had happened in one day. It was impossible to stay awake and she eventually fell into a deep sleep on the way back to the hospital.
Aside from a feeling of being cherished, she remembered nothing of the walk to their floor or being put to bed.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Cord—” she murmured groggily. “What time is it?”
“Ten to eight.”
“You’re kidding! I thought it must be the middle of the night!”
She bolted straight up in bed but had forgotten her stomach was in the way. Once again her muscles protested and she let out a muffled groan.
In an instant he reached her side, molding his palm to her sleep-warmed cheek. “What’s wrong?” He sounded so anxious, she sat there in amazement.
“N-nothing,” she stammered. The loose green robe revealed his hair-dusted chest, reminding her that he was wearing nothing else underneath. His hands anywhere on her body created overwhelming excitement. “I just sat up too fast. These days I need to move very carefully.”
His hard-boned physique relaxed, but his hands had slid down her arms. “You’re telling me the truth?” he demanded with a gentle shake.
In the obscure light, it was impossible to see the deep blue of his eyes, but she could feel his glance wandering over her. The covers had fallen around her hips, exposing her swollen belly to his probing gaze.
“I promise,” she said in a tiny voice.
“Swear you’ll never lie to me about your condition.”
“I swear it.”
“I’ll need more proof,” he came back gruffly.
Before she could think, his head descended, blotting out all light. He’d trapped her mouth with his own.
The force of his passion drove her back against the pillow. Ashley let out a slight gasp before she found herself being hungrily devoured.
Caught completely off guard, she began returning her husband’s ardor with a ferocity that knew no bounds. Without realizing it, her hands crept up his chest to clasp him around the neck. Their kiss deepened. She never wanted it to end.
Somehow, she didn’t know how, Cord had stretched out on the hospital bed beside her, the fingers of one hand twisted in her short hair as he covered her face and neck with kisses.
“Darling,” he whispered against her lips, kissing them over and over again. “Last night you fell asleep on me, and now I want you so much I’m burning alive. You want me, too. I can tell because wherever I touch you, you tremble,” he murmured provocatively against her throat where a little pulse raced. “Sit up a little so I can remove your—”
“Good morning you two.”
“Vince—” they both cried at the same time.
Turning every shade of red, Ashley pulled the sheet over her head.
“Sorry to disturb. It looks like you two forgot about breakfast. I’ll come back in five minutes. All right?”
“I guess it will have to be,” Cord mocked dryly. She felt the mattress give as he got to his feet. “But I’m letting you know right now your timing is lousy.” Ashley heard Vince’s delighted chuckle before he left them alone again.
“While you turn yourself into a decent woman, Mrs. McKnight, I’ll put on some clothes and bring us back whatever’s left of breakfast.”
Anything she might have said in response was smothered by another hungry kiss before he helped her from the bed.
“Oh, boy,” she muttered in self-disgust as she fairly waddled across the room.
Cord’s teasing laughter didn’t help as she closed the bathroom door on him. She never expected to hear that happy sound again and leaned against it for a minute. This morning, her joy could hardly be contained.
Fortunately for her and Cord, Vince gave them closer to a half hour before he returned to the room. In that amount of time they’d eaten, and Ashley had made herself presentable in one of her pants and flowered tops.
