In Name Only (Pine Falls #2) - Jennifer Peel Page 0,57

to kiss my neck.

With each kiss, my body relaxed more and more. “Um . . .” My mind went totally blank. All I could comprehend was Brock’s touch. Though something in my brain was batting around trying to remind me that this wasn’t real. Except it felt incredibly real.

Brock’s lips made their way up to my ear, where he drove me wild, nibbling on my lobe while his warm breath brushed against my skin.

My head said to leave, my body begged me to stay, while my heart implored me to hope. “I thought you wanted to talk.” That was my head coming out of my mouth, though my breathless voice was obviously representing my body.

“I decided I wanted to kiss my wife instead,” he groaned.

His wife. With each loud beat of my heart, it began to swell with hope.

Brock took my face in his hands and took a moment to appreciate me. “You are so beautiful.”

His tenderness had my eyes misting.

His lips inched closer to mine.

“I haven’t brushed my teeth,” I blurted out of fear.

“I couldn’t care less.” His mouth crashed into mine.

Fear went out the window with the touch of his tongue and the parting of my lips. His hands went up through my hair, tangling themselves in my dark waves. My legs found their way across his lap. Brock’s hands cascaded down my back, and he drew me closer while exploring my mouth, groaning in pleasure. For a few minutes, all that existed was us, tasting and touching each other. I couldn’t get enough of him. However, Brock must have had his fill. His lips left mine abruptly, leaving them swollen and lonely. His forehead rested against mine while he took in deep breaths.

“Dani,” he whispered before kissing my nose.

“Are you regretting that you kissed me?” I had to ask.

“Not at all. I was thinking we should do that more often.”

I relaxed and snuggled against him.

He wrapped me in his arms and held me.

I soaked in his sandalwood scent mixed in with the smell of hospital antimicrobial soap. It wasn’t a bad combination. And it was him.

“I have Friday off, and I was hoping to steal you away for the day,” he rushed to say, like a nervous schoolboy.

My fingers made circles on his hard chest. “Is that so?”

“I know you’re busy, but Jonah told me about a place in Pine Falls that does hayrides and secluded picnics for two.” That sounded like something Jonah would do for Ariana. “I want to take you there.”

My heart leaped before I remembered what John had said and that I had an appointment with my obstetrician that morning. Bringing it up now was sure to kill the mood. But maybe . . . maybe I could dare to hope. I skimmed my lips with my fingers. His touch still lingered there. “I’d love to go, but . . .” My words got stuck in my throat.

“But what?”

I sat up and peered into his warm, inviting eyes. I saw my Brock in them. My courage ticked up. I rested my hand on his stubbled cheek, my thumb running over his rough skin. “I talked to your dad today, and he suggested that we start telling people about the baby soon. I have an OB appointment on Friday morning, and I was wondering if you would come with me. We could go on that picnic after my appointment.” I ran my words together, trying to get them all out before I lost my nerve.

His entire body went rigid, and I felt the heat in his cheeks before I saw the red manifest. “What’s the rush? You’re not even showing yet.”

My hand dropped, as well as my heart. Hope went flying out the window. “I want to tell my grandparents. I want to plan. I want . . .” His clenched fists and pulsing jaw didn’t go unnoticed. “Well, apparently it doesn’t matter what I want.” I slid my legs off him and stood, shaking. My hands went immediately to my back, which had begun to cramp, but I refused to stretch or rub the pain away. I would not show any sign of weakness in front of him or bring attention to my baby.

I walked toward the staircase as fast as my aching body would let me, holding back a tidal wave of tears that were waiting to drown me.

“Dani, I’m trying,” Brock called out in frustration.

I stopped and grabbed the staircase railing. “What happens when you figure out you can’t accept my