Page 40 of Hidden By His Side

Summer had always loved Ramiro’s house. She’d dreamed about moving in with him one day, but not like this—not out of pity. She moved into the sunken living room, her stomach knotting.

“Let me give you a quick tour.” Ramiro’s hand slid to the small of her back to guide her along.

She remembered the layout of the house, and every piece of furniture she’d picked out to furnish it, but she let him lead her along. The kitchen would be fabulous to cook in, the bathrooms were spotless, his office was a mess that she wanted to fix for him, and the guest bedrooms were still put together as if no one had used them.

No one ever had.

He set her suitcase inside the room midway down the hallway that led to his bedroom at the end. She remembered hisbedroom. It was dark and masculine, with the largest bed she could find.

She barely remembered the green comforter set she’d picked out for the spare room.

Ramiro ran his hand through his hair, leaving behind a disheveled mess that she itched to smooth. He released the handle on her suitcase. “My room is down the hall. This one’s closest, just in case you need me.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him she always needed him. She swallowed the words. She’d already been needy enough.

The green of the comforter was now a color that she hated.

He cleared his throat. “I need to take care of a few things. You remember where my office is?”

She nodded, sinking down to sit on the edge of the bed.

He hovered in the doorway. Staring at her own feet let her see his at the edge of her vision.

“Say something, Summer. You haven’t, not since you woke up again.”

She’d woken up in his arms. Despite the way she’d gotten there, it had been a wonderful feeling. Anytime she touched Ramiro, she got exactly what she wanted. Her tears had tied him tighter to herself. When would it be enough?

Summer lifted her head, her lips spreading into a smile. “I’m fine.”

He frowned, crossing to stand in front of her. His hand caressed along her jaw, and a shiver ran through her. “Don’t smile if you don’t feel it.”

How often had he told her that? She let the brittle expression fall, unable to resist leaning her head against his hand. “I’m a little hungry,” she admitted.

He nodded, the tightness around his eyes easing. “We haven’t eaten anything today, have we? We slept most of the day away instead.”

Summer doubted he’d slept much. He’d likely held her because that was exactly what she’d needed. “I could order something,” she offered, knowing he likely had an empty fridge. Ramiro neglected himself if left to his own devices.

“I’ll order something. You rest. I haven’t forgotten that you passed out on the bathroom floor.” He brushed her hair behind her ear before pulling his hand away.

She lifted an eyebrow. “Do you even know what to order?”

Ramiro’s lips twitched like she’d hoped. “Are you going into secretary mode?”

She lifted an eyebrow. “After seeing the state of your office? I know what I’m doing tomorrow.”

He shook his head, frowning. “Don’t even think about it. You need to rest.”

That was the last thing she needed—hours upon hours of her thoughts spiraling out of control.

“And stop trying to distract me. The way you passed out scared me. First thing Monday, I’d like you to see an obstetrician.”His eyes dropped to her stomach. “We need to make sure everything is okay.”

Her breath caught in her throat. She let it out slowly, closing her eyes. “I already have an appointment scheduled for Monday morning.” That was why she’d taken another pregnancy test with Derek. She’d wanted him to know in case he wanted to go with her. She’d been so stupid.

“I’m going with you,” Ramiro said.

She met his eyes, wondering how she could still feel so cold. Ramiro was taking care of her. She was there in his house. He’d told her he loved her.

Her nails sank into the comforter as she watched him back toward the doorway, the distance between them growing and making her even colder.

---