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She dropped down on her side, her hand resting on his chest.
“Good night, Alison.” He stressed the first word. It seemed like a lifetime ago when she’d won their contest with this phrase.
“Night, Harker.”
“Ouch.” He grinned and kissed her head. “You’re right. That does hurt a bit.” But not nearly as much as her leaving.
She laughed, her hand moving in little circles over his heart until she drifted off to sleep.
He did his best not to fall asleep. He wanted to remember every moment of this night, holding her by his side—naked and heavy with his child. His hand rested on hers, keeping it over his heart. This might be the only time he would ever have a family of his own.
CHAPTER 29: Alison
Alison rolled onto her back and stretched, wincing slightly. Her body was still a little sore from last night. She glanced at the empty space beside her. She was used to waking up alone, but this was different. In her own bed Harker’s scent wasn’t there, fogging her head. She grabbed his pillow and buried her face in it, inhaling. Her body melted with her memories—Harker above her, inside her, his words rough in her ear, calling her his love. No. She wasn’t doing this. She couldn't allow herself to fall for him anymore.
She threw the pillow to the side and wobbled until she sat up. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and her heart skipped a beat. Sitting on the nightstand was a note, a bottle of water and some soda crackers. She wiped at the tears in her eyes. The big jerk had remembered that sometimes she was still a little nauseous in the morning. Her hand shook as she picked up the paper and opened it. She didn’t know if she could handle anymore. Her body couldn’t stay away from dominant, bossy Harker and her heart was no match for thoughtful, loving Harker.
Take the day off. Rest. I’ll see you after work.
Harker
The curtains were pulled tight, but she had a feeling that it was late. She touched the bottle of water. It was warm. He’d worn her out last night and it’d been wonderful. At some point between her third and seventh orgasm, she'd stopped fighting him and had just surrendered to the pleasure of being with him.
He’d held her, kissed her and fucked her, over and over. He’d brought them food and at one point, they’d sat in bed and had watched TV, laughing and talking before making lo…having sex again. Afterwards, he’d held her in his arms, and she’d slept like she was home, like she hadn’t had in months, like she probably never would again.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. She didn’t know what to do. She wanted him, loved him but she needed space. She jumped out of bed, or her version of jumping. It was more like a lurch with her giant stomach. She had to talk to him and get him to let her go because she needed to think—to figure out if she really loved him or if this was all pretend.
CHAPTER 30: Harker
When Alison walked into Harker’s office, his mood crashed through the floor. For the first time in months he’d been having a good day. After last night, he hadn’t thought anything could put him in a bad mood, but Alison was an overachiever. She always knew right where to strike to cause him the most pain. He’d been grinning like a fool all day and by her red eyes and puffy face, she’d been crying.
“We need to talk.” She closed the door.
Those were the worst four words in the English language. He looked at his computer. “Can it wait until tonight? I’m kind of busy.” He knew Alison. He should’ve been preparing for this conversation all day, but damn it, he’d just wanted to relive last night. She’d slept in his arms, snuggled against his side, her hand over his heart just like she used to do.
“No.” She moved to the chair and started to sit.
“Hold on.” He hurried to her side, taking her arm and helping her to lower herself onto the chair.
“Thank you.” Her words were polite, but her face was tight.
He needed to get control of this conversation. “Alison, I know what you’re going to say but I don't know how many times I can tell you that I'm sorry. Can’t we just move forward?” He sat on the chair next to hers and took her hand. “Last night was wonderful. Don’t pretend it wasn’t.” He held his breath, waiting for her answer.
“It was wonderful.”
The tightness in his chest eased.
“But it wasn’t real. It was just a game. Pretend.”
“It doesn’t have to be.” He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. His heart raced and his throat dried like he’d swallowed a mouthful of chalk. “Stay with me, Alison. We’ll throw away the contract and make this a real marriage.” He placed her hand on her stomach and covered it with his. “A real family.”
“I…I wish I could.” Her eyes filled with tears.
“You can.” He moved his hand, wiping a tear from her cheek. “You know this is real. What you feel for me. What I feel for you.”
“I know.” Her lips trembled.
“You do?” Warning bells sounded in his head like he was on a sinking ship. “Then, I don’t—”
