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“The thing you have to understand about the guys is the way they were brought up,” she says. “When Neal started making serious money, they were both worried it would affect the boys—that they’d all grow up spoiled. I think because of that, they overcompensated. They went to great lengths to instill in them this really strong sense of right and wrong, and honor and duty. They were very strict—stricter than my parents were. And so even though all three brothers are funny and act like clowns half the time, they have this inner compass that is always pointing north. Saxon wants to be with you, I mean, God, when I rang him and said you were in trouble, he didn’t bat an eyelid, he practically sprinted out of the door. But just picture him like a Victorian gentleman. Doing the right thing is of the utmost importance to him.”
“I know what you’re saying.”
Her brows draw together. “I just want to say please wait for him. I’ve not seen him like this with anyone. After Christian died… he was so low, and it affected him so much. He got better, but somehow, I think what happened with you four months ago triggered those memories. He thought he’d lost you, the same way he lost Christian.”
And that’s when I realize the truth. Why he’s tried so hard to take it slow. And why he wants me to live with him. He’s terrified I’m going to run again. He’s frightened he’s going to lose me.
Kennedy looks so earnest, and my heart goes out to her. “You’re obviously very fond of him.”
“He can be a grumpy grizzly on the outside, but inside he’s more like Pooh Bear. He wants you, Catie. I swear it. Just give him time.”
At that moment, the song changes to Ed Sheeran’sShape of You. It brings back vivid memories of me choosing it in the hotel room, and Saxon telling me to follow his lead as he slid inside me.
I look over at him, not totally shocked to see him watching me. Lips curving up, he starts walking across the terrace toward me.
“Uh-oh,” Kennedy says. “He’s on the prowl. Hold onto your horses.”
“Thank you,” I say to her.
Smiling, she leaves me to it and returns to the others.
I turn and lean on the barrier as he walks up to me. “Hello,” I say. “Nice day for it.”
He chuckles, picks up my right hand with his left, and pulls me into his arms. “This takes me back,” he murmurs, sliding his other hand onto the base of my spine.
“It gives me goose bumps.” I look up into his eyes, remembering the way he kissed all my freckles.
“Me too.” His gaze drifts away for a moment, then comes back to mine, hot and sultry. It’s funny that he’s thinking about making love with me. I’ve never been the source of anyone’s fantasies before, as far as I know.
He spins me around a few times, and I laugh as I almost lose my footing.
“Kennedy said your center of gravity is off when you’re pregnant,” I say as he catches me. “I can see what she means.”
“Maybe a few less spins might be in order.”
“I don’t know whether learning to dance is the best idea.”
He shrugs. “You’re still elegant and light on your feet. As long as I’m there to catch you, we’ll manage.”
A light early summer breeze blows across the terrace, and I shiver—or is it the look in his eyes that sends a tremor through me?
The song changes to something I don’t recognize, a slow tune. “What’s this?” I ask.
“Simply Red.For Your Babies.” He smiles and pulls me a bit closer—as close as my bump allows, and his fingers skate over the side of it before returning to my back.
I look up, into his eyes. I thought they were a dark brown that was almost black, but in the sunlight they’re almost the color of kauri wood in the center, a light yellowish brown, quite beautiful.
The breeze blows across us, lifting my hair and making it float around me. He raises a hand and catches a handful. “It’s like candy floss,” he murmurs.
He looks at my mouth, and I feel an ache deep inside at the thought of him kissing me. I desperately want him to. I feel as if he’s on the verge of admitting his feelings, and telling me he doesn’t want to wait any longer.
But then a pressure on my legs makes me look down, and I see Pongo standing there, tail wagging. Saxon laughs and moves back. “Come on. We’ll get going soon.”
*
In the end, we stay for another hour or so, chatting to the others, enjoying the pleasant afternoon and the company.
Eventually, though, Saxon says, “Okay, we should make a move.”
