Would she ever really be warm again?
“You’re really leaving tonight?”
“Yeah. From here, I’m heading to the office to tie up some loose ends. And this is important: If I don’t make it back, go see Logan. He’ll have all my paperwork and he’ll know what to do.”
“Pierce…” Her voice cracked. “Don’t say—”
“I’m being practical. It’s all right. He’ll make sure you and the baby are taken care of. Then after I’m done at the office, I’ll be heading to DFW for my flight later.”
“Where are you going?”
He hesitated. “After I land, that’s something I’ll have to figure out.”
“But you must have some idea…”
“No. And even if I did, you’re safer without that information.”
He was leaving her no way to find him—on purpose. She understood, but it made her angry. “Don’t do this. Please.”
Pierce sighed. “We’ve been over this.”
They had, and she was only making things harder. Brea took a deep breath and clutched him as close as she could while pressing his big palm to her belly. “We’ll miss you.”
“Oh, pretty girl, I already miss you and the baby so much.”
“Will you think of us?”
He settled his lips on hers for a soft kiss. “I won’t think of anything else. But I don’t want you to focus on me, just worry about you and the baby. If things go my way, I’ll be back for you two. I’ll meet your father and explain everything.”
“Then we’ll live the rest of our lives?”
“Yeah. That’s what I want.”
“Do you, really?”
“More than anything, Brea Felicity Bell.” He took her hands and stared into her eyes. “I do.”
His words rang with the solemnity of a wedding vow, and she felt his commitment all the way to her soul. “Pierce Jackson Walker, I do, too.”
They sealed their impromptu vow with a lingering kiss that Brea wished would go on forever.
But an unexpected tap on the door cut it short. The clock in her line of vision said it wasn’t even five a.m.
“Brea?” Her dad’s voice had her eyes widening in panic.
He never knocked this early.
Pierce gripped her shoulders and whispered, “It’s okay. I’m going. I’m leaving my phone behind, so I’ll be underground for a while.”
She tried not to cry again even as she clung to him, wishing she could melt into him and become one with him. “You haven’t even left and I’m terrified.”
“I know.” He kissed her forehead. “But I’ll do everything in my power to come back.”
“If you don’t?” She barely managed to get the words out.
“Be happy and don’t forget I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she sobbed. “Pierce…”
“Shh. Take care of you both.” He dropped his hand to her belly.
“Brea?” Daddy asked a bit more loudly through the closed door. “Who are you talking to?”
“J-just a minute.”
She didn’t dare speak another word to Pierce. Instead, he pressed his lips to hers, lingered through a few short heartbeats, then eased away with a caress. She was still clutching his hand when he climbed out the window, looking back at her with a black-eyed stare full of longing she’d never forget—as if he meant to memorize her.
Then he was gone.
With her heart wrenching and clutching, she tried to stem the tide of her tears as she smoothed her hair, tossed on a robe, padded to the door, and pulled it open.
Daddy stood in the portal, his phone in hand. He raked her body up and down, focusing on her middle. A frown furrowed his brows. “We need to talk.”
Her heart stopped. He’d read the gossip. He knew she was pregnant.
It had become an ingrained habit to conceal her relationship with Pierce, along with the life that had resulted from it. But she was tired of hiding her love. She wasn’t going to keep acting as if she was ashamed. Yes, she’d be cautious about Daddy’s heart, have her phone ready and an aspirin nearby. But she was done burying her head in the sand.
Pierce was facing their obstacles head on. It was time for her to do the same.
“All right.”
“I’ve made a pot of coffee. Why don’t you get dressed and come to the kitchen?”
After a quick few minutes with her toothbrush, she dragged on some yoga pants and a baggy T-shirt with shaking hands. Everything else in her closet was getting too tight. Once she’d donned fuzzy socks and pulled her hair back, she padded out to the kitchen, grabbed the bottle of aspirin, took a deep breath, and met her father’s gaze. “You want to ask me if I’m pregnant.”
He looked taken aback by her directness. “Yes.”
“I’ll save you the breath. I am. I’m sorry if that disappoints you—”
“It’s not Cutter’s, is it? You’re pregnant by the man who left you.”
“Pierce. That’s his name. Yes, the baby is his, and I love him. He didn’t leave me, Daddy. In fact, he was just here to explain how he intends to keep me safe. His job is dangerous and—”