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For the next five and half weeks, they'd have time to explore the facets of their relationship and make important decisions regarding their future.
Together.
Drew shifted so he could see Hope's face. "How about we use our time here to get to know each other better? Just do what comes naturally and see what happens."
"You just put a stop to one thing that comes quite naturally," Hope pointed out.
"Because I don't want our physical attraction and compatibility to overshadow everything else."
"Some men wouldn't care about that."
"I'm not like most men, Hope. Not when it comes to you." His gaze fell to her abdomen. "Or our little nugget." Drew raised his eyes back to hers. "So, what do you say? Are you willing to use this time in Virginia to explore our relationship beyond the pregnancy factor?"
Hope nodded. "Yeah. We can do that."
Relieved, Drew pressed a kiss to her forehead before retrieving the shirt she slept in. "Let me help you get dressed for bed."
One dark brow arched, challenging him. "That could prove dangerous."
"We'll have to force ourselves to be strong."
Pulling her off the bed, Drew slipped the nightshirt over her head, and Hope pushed her arms through the sleeves. The material slid to mid-thigh. She removed her khakis and tossed them into a corner. He took her hand and led her to the side of the bed where she'd been sleeping.
Smiling, Drew stripped to his boxer briefs and slid into the bed beside Hope, curling himself around her. With her back to his front, Drew draped his arm across her waist, splaying his hand over the swell of her abdomen. He nuzzled her neck. "Have you felt any movement yet?"
"No." She laid her hand over his. "From everything I've read, I could start to feel something anywhere between sixteen and twenty-five weeks. With the first pregnancy, it's generally not as early. Mainly because the feeling can be attributed to many things, which makes it more difficult to recognize."
"Do you want to know if it's a boy or a girl?"
"I don't know. Maybe. What about you?"
"Kind of. When can we find out?"
"Around twenty weeks, I think."
Drew snuggled Hope closer. "You'll let me be there, won't you?"
"Of course."
"Should you see a doctor while we're here?"
"Not unless there's a problem. I saw my OB before leaving Louisville and explained that I'd be out of town for a while. She said everything looked good and I should be fine until I get back. I have an appointment in early January. They'll probably do an ultrasound then."
"I'd like to be there."
When she nodded, Drew pressed a kiss against her cheek. "Good night, Hope."
"Good night." She burrowed in closer to him and interlaced her fingers with his.
After what had just transpired between them, they were off to a damn good start.
Chapter Nine
Hope awoke to the heavenly scent of coffee. Stretching, she raked her tangled hair away from her face and pushed herself out of bed. The need for her one cup of caffeine overrode a bathroom stop. There was no doubt she looked like a hot mess, but she was sure Drew had seen her looking far worse after they'd spent a night nursing a sick horse or assisting a mare through a difficult delivery.
Or even a night of unbridled passion fueled by way too many tequila shots.
She found Drew seated at the breakfast bar reading the morning paper and nursing his own mug of liquid energy. His hair was damp and finger-combed away from his handsome face, but the dark scruff of the beard he hadn't shaved shadowed the hard line of his jaw. He was already dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt. His feet, however, were bare.
