“Fine. Brooke’s been great at helping me relax.”
“Excellent. I’ve arranged to have a couple of masseuses come in tomorrow afternoon after your nap. I thought you and Brooke would like it.”
“That’d be great.” She beamed at the unexpectedly thoughtful gesture. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He took a long sip of Cabernet, then met and held her eyes. “We have a little over a month left.”
“I know.”
“Having you on bed rest and TLD on the brink of bankruptcy were not things I expected when I made my proposal.” His voice was neutral.
She looked at him. “Are you asking for more time?”
“I’m wondering where things stand so far.”
I’m still in love…but I don’t know if you are. Her mouth dried, and she took a quick sip of the tea before asking, “Why do you want to save our marriage?”
“There are many reasons,” he began. “Our baby, your complicated pregnancy, my…my feelings for you.”
“What are they?”
He toyed with a pickle spear then finally said, “Affection. This need to care and provide for you and our child.
”
Something inside her withered. She’d made a mistake by marrying him without making sure he loved her. She’d hoped love would blossom as they spent more time together, but she wasn’t sure anymore. After all these years, affection was a poor substitute for love.
“Well?” he asked.
“Right now, the answer is still a no.”
His throat worked. “It’s crazy for you to leave me. You’re going to need—”
“So convince me.” Tell me you love me.
His mouth set in a hard flat line. She ran her finger over it. She hated the grimness in his face, hated it more that she put it there.
“You have over a month left,” she whispered, then leaned closer and kissed him gently.
Her hands rested on his chest, then traveled along the strong muscles on his torso to his wide shoulders. She gripped him there and deepened the contact, willing him to understand what she felt for him—what she wanted from him.
His mouth softened under hers. He didn’t grow aggressive or take control the way he usually did. When she moved over and settled on his lap, she felt his cock hardening against the confines of his pants. Her sex clenched. He’d never been able to hide his body’s hunger for her.
“Let’s just go to bed,” she whispered into his ear.
“Jesus.” His voice was harsh with suppressed desire. “You’re on bed rest.”
“Modified bed rest,” she said. “Dr. Silverman said we can still fool around, just no intercourse.”
“You sure?”
She rocked against him. “Very.”
It was more than enough encouragement. She felt him grow harder and thicker through the layers of clothes between them. He scooped her up in his arms and climbed the stairs to the second floor. She buried her face in his neck, loving the effortless way he carried her, how delicate and desirable he made her feel. All male and clean, he smelled amazing. She only needed a whiff of his hot scent to be ready.
He placed her on the bed and studied her with his eyes dark and glittering. The light in the room was on low and romantic, and he looked like he wanted to fall on her and take her hard.
“Fuck.” He ran a hand over his mouth. “I don’t know if I can be gentle. It’s been so long.”