“It’s been two weeks. How can it be over?”
“Because I don’t want her anywhere near you, and I can’t stand to be around her. Knowing she cornered you infuriates me. The first time you see her should have been with me, so I could protect you. Either way, it got worse.”
“Worse?”
“She mistook my indifference, and when it was time for the actual ultrasound, she reached for my hand.”
“Oh,” is all I can say.
“I remained in place, not acknowledging her. That pissed her off again, and when the tech couldn’t determine the gender because of the baby’s position, Sasha went on a rampage again. She blamed you and Nicky for upsetting her.”
“That’s ridiculous!” I argue.
“I know.”
“Outside of the gender, is the baby okay?”
“Yes, everything looks good.”
I lean into his chest, both of us quiet. After a few minutes, he reluctantly lets me go and we walk, hand in hand, back to the nurse’s station.
“Wake me up when you get in.” He kisses my forehead sweetly.
“I’ll go home tonight. You have to work tomorrow.”
He pauses, lifting my chin so I’m forced to look at him. Fiery determination flares in his eyes. “My bed. After today, we both need it.”
I nod in agreement, and he makes me promise twice before he finally leaves. As soon as the elevator doors shut, the weight of the day washes over me, and I’m exhausted. I go back to my folders, glad for the monotony of the project.
Out of nowhere, a crazy idea pops into my head. I try to shake it off, but it keeps coming back.
I can’t go through with it, can I? Is it selfish… or selfless?
Can I do this to him?
The answer is yes. He’s too worried about me. He’s not focused on what’s most important because he’s too scared I’m going to break, and that’s my fault.
I practically run down the hall, talking to myself the whole time, hoping it’s not too late. Evie’s in her office reviewing patient charts.
“Bizzy, you okay?” She gives me a sympathetic look.
“I want in. I want to go to Charlotte. Please, tell me it’s not too late,” I blurt out.
She studies me for a minute, my words hanging in the air. Then her face breaks into a wide smile. “It’s not too late.”
There’s a small tinge of guilt, but Shaw will understand…
He has to.
Because I’m doing this for him.
Chapter 22
Shaw
I should let her sleep. I stare at her from across the room and adjust the towel around my waist. My dick is already hard, scraping uncomfortably against the terrycloth.
Fuck it. I want her, NOW.