Whether he really meant it, or was just being polite, I couldn’t quite tell.
I looked up to find Anderson returning, giving me a reassuring smile.
“Well, I’m tired. It’s been a long day. I’m going to get some rest,” I said.
“Okay, I’ll talk to you later, Jo. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I said, and ended the call.
“Sounds like that went well,” Anderson said.
I nodded and smiled. “Yeah, it did. He’s really come around.”
Anderson came to my side and sat down, wrapping his arm around me and kissing my temple. “I figured you could use a relaxing bath after what you’ve been through.”
“Sounds heavenly,” I said, suddenly realizing just how stiff and achy my muscles felt.
“Come on,” Anderson said, gently taking me by the hand. I stood and let him guide me to the bathroom, where he had run a warm bubble bath that I already couldn’t wait to sink into.
I turned around, gently kissing his lips. He slowly began to disrobe me, tossing my clothes aside, and then holding my hand as I stepped into the tub.
I sighed as my body submerged in the warm water and I breathed in the fragrance of the bubbles.
“So,” Anderson said, taking a bath sponge and running down my back. “I’ve already talked to a few lawyers about what’s going on. They’ve advised me that I can’t—or that I shouldn’t, rather—set out to kill Zander on my own.”
I laughed. “Okay. I figured that much.”
“They’re more than willing to help me out on the case.”
“Good. And Tobias said he’s already looking into some lawyers and investigators too.”
“Yep,” Anderson said. “So to put it simply, Zander isn’t going to get away with this. His days of facing no repercussions are over. He’s about to learn the hard way that if he ever comes anywhere near you again… god help him.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead again. “Because no one messes with my family.”
Family. My throat closed up when I heard him say it, and my vision blurred with tears. After everything that happened with Zander and the revelation I was pregnant, I felt more emotional than ever. I leaned against him and let my head fall over his shoulder, closing my eyes.
“Thank you, Anderson. I…” My heart swelled with a potent emotion, and it dawned on me.
I was in love with him. I loved Anderson. And now, I couldn’t imagine my life without him, the father of my child.
“I love you,” I told him, my pulse skyrocketing. He was all I ever needed.
I held my breath as I waited for him to say something. He snaked his arms around my waist, holding me like he never wanted to let me go.
“I love you too, Joanna. I love you so much.” I broke into a huge smile, feeling like everything had come to its place.
He loved me. Anderson Lawrence, my brother’s best friend and my old crush, loved me. I was euphoric.
I turned my head and kissed him, showing him just how much I loved him. “You’re a true gem,” I whispered into his mouth and nibbled it.
“And you’re my everything.” He kissed my earlobe, which brought fire to my insides.
“I want to make you happy. I want you safe.” His lips grazed my neck before he took my earlobe into his mouth and licked it. “But right now I want to make you feel good.”
He lowered his hand from my stomach to my mound, and I moaned in response. His fingers found my clit instantly, while his other hand covered my breast.
“That does feel good,” I muttered, my whole body warming when he started pleasuring me. “Please, keep touching me. I love when you touching me…”
“I love it too. You just feel so good. Your lips, your body, your pussy… I can’t stop thinking about you and all those things I want to do to you. The mother of my baby.”