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I nod and we sit on the edge of the bed together, as far apart as we can get. Jesse sucks in a deep breath, and I exhale.
His eyes find mine. "First things first," he says. "My familydoes not hate you. They just...don't know you. And you hurt someone they love, and family is everything to the Harts."
"I didn't mean to hurt him," I murmur.
Jesse puts his hand on my knee.
"I know that," Jesse says. "I know you were dealing with your own shit and that it's never been easy for you. I understand. So...tell my mom."
"Seriously?" I ask. "Jesse, I was an addict. It's the most shameful part of my life."
Jesse shakes his head and rubs his jaw. "Nah...my brother Grayson--you know, I don't know if I've told you this story. Grayson almost killed a kid in high school. And then he went to prison, and when he got out, he didn't even try to find us. He cut himself off and changed his name. He went through hell...but he had to go through it alone. And when my mom heard the story, she understood."
"But I'm not a Hart, Jesse," I tell him. "Your mom is fiercely protective of y'all, and the fact of the matter is that I'm not one of you."
"You're carrying her grandchild," Jesse says. "You're one of us."
I swallow the lump in my throat.
"Okay," I say, nodding. "I need to just...stop freaking out. And then we'll tell her."
Jesse gives my knee a squeeze. "Thank you."
I stand from the bed, hesitating for just a second. "Jesse..." I start, but I don't know how to finish the sentence.
He looks up at me, his eyes meeting mine. "Yeah?"
I take a deep breath. "Are we...over? I mean, you asked me to move in, but...are we still...together?"
Jesse stands up, and he's so close to me that I can feel his breath on my cheek.
"I don't know, Piper," he murmurs. "Are we?"
All the feelings I had for him come rushing back, especially with the sensation of my belly between us.
He did that to me.
This tall, gorgeous Texan biker got me pregnant, and I would let him do it again.
Jesse reaches out and takes my hand in his, his fingers lacing through mine. "I don't want us to be over, darlin'," he says, his voice low. "I asked you to move in because I want us to be a family. I know we've got a lot to work through--but I'm willing to try if you are."
I feel the tears prickling at the corners of my eyes, and I bite my lip to try and keep them at bay. "I'm willing," I whisper.
Jesse steps closer, his free hand moving to my jaw, and he tilts my face up to look at him. "Good," he murmurs, and then his lips are on mine.
It's like coming home--like everything is finally falling into place. Our kiss is soft, slow, and tender, a contrast to the passion we've shared before. I feel his hand on my belly, the warmth of his palm seeping through my top.
I want him to undress me.
To undress him.
To sleep skin to skin.
"I missed you," I whisper. "I missed you so much, Jesse."
"I missed you too, Piper," he murmurs against my lips. "I never stopped."
We break apart, both of us breathing heavily, and Jesse leans his forehead against mine. I want him so bad...but his mom doesn't even know I'm here.
