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Be sensible, Addie. You have to protect yourself.She made herself step back.
Addie wasn’t sure of her footing with him, and with a precious life depending on her, she couldn’t afford to stumble.
She headed toward her building, trying not to notice the dingy paint.
Bram grunted, and she knew that was his way of expressing his unhappiness.
She unlocked the front door and led them into the dimly lit entry. She glanced up and saw a muscle ticking in his tight jaw. The stairs creaked as she headed up them. When she unlocked her apartment door, he gave another unhappy grunt.
“It isn’t much, but it’s enough for me,” she said.
“The lock on the door is shite.”
“It’s fine.” She flicked on the light and tried to keep her smile in place.
Her belly did a sickening turn when she spotted the envelope that had been slipped under her door. She quickly picked it up and stuck it under her arm.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“Just mail. A neighbor must’ve picked it up.”
But she already knew what was inside. Bile rose in her throat.
She couldn’t let Bram see it.
She didn’t want anyone to see it.
The tiny apartment had a brick wall, that she thought added character, and a scarred, mismatched wooden floor. The white paint was…fresh. Okay, fresh-ish. The apartment had a pocket-sized kitchen and bathroom, and her bed took up most of the bedroom. The window had a view of the fire escape and the brick wall of the neighboring building.
Her little stash of baby supplies sat on the floor by the bed. Spying the pretty yellow blanket she’d picked out, covered in tiny toy bears, she wanted to smile. Each week, she saved to buy one new thing for the baby. She had her eye on a sweet, little crib that she wanted to get next.
Bram took it all in, his mouth tight.
“I’m adding you to my health insurance,” he said.
“Bram—”
He skewered her with a look. “Whatever you need, I’ll get it for you.”
She wanted so desperately to believe him, but she hadn’t forgotten how it felt to be so alone, sick, and heartbroken.
She’d cried so many tears.
“You don’t have to worry.” She tried for a smile. “I’m saving money. I have a plan.”
He grunted. Then he cupped her cheek, his calloused fingers brushing over her skin.
She closed her eyes. It had shocked her at first, seeing how gentle this big, rugged man could be.
Although, there were times when he hadn’t been gentle. He’d been rough and needy in the best possible ways. She felt a clench between her legs.
“If you need me, you call. I’ll get Hex to add you to my primary caller list. Your calls will come straight to me.”
She met his gaze.
His eyes dropped to her lips, then flicked back up. “Promise me you’ll call.”
“I promise,” she whispered.
