Page 9 of Wistful Whispers

Chapter 4

Hannah

Round ligament pain. Whohas ever even heard of something like that? Apparently when your uterus grows it can cause occasional pain. The doctor in the hospital was nice about me wasting his time though. He and the nurse tried to reassure me that it’s always better to get checked out but I still felt silly.

When we got back to mine at six Jake looked shattered. I insisted that he took a nap before driving anywhere else. My cottage isn’t far from his, but still. Sheila texted him to say he could take the day off so there was no rush.

That’s how I find myself as the little spoon to his big spoon. Sometime during our nap he must have pulled me into his arms and now I don’t dare move in case he wakes up.

His large hand is splayed on my belly. Even in his sleep, he seems to want to protect his princess. His soft breath sends ripples through my hair, lifting the strands ever so slightly like a gentle breeze moving the grass on the hills. Why does this feel so right? The butterflies in my stomach make me feel giddy but it’s nonsense to think that we could be anything more than friends. We’ve been friends for eight years. Surely if there were more we would have acted on it by now.

Hello!I’m pregnant by another man. No way do I think of Jake as more than a friend, it must be the pregnancy hormones. I’m about to enter the third trimester and don’t some pregnant women turn into horny vixens right around now? Yeah, I’m sure it’s just that.

Jake pulls me closer and nuzzles his head against my back. The simple gesture is all it takes for my heart to skip a beat. That’s the problem right there. I’m not horny… well, maybe a little bit, but the excited heartbeat, the butterflies, that’s not horniness, that’s attraction.Shit, I am attracted to Jake!

I force myself into a seating position. Although I try to be careful Jake stirs from his sleep.

“Everything okay?” he mumbles.

“Yes, I just need a glass of water.”

“I’ll get—”

“No, go back to sleep. I need the bathroom as well,” I persuade him. Jake mumbles something I can’t make out before dropping his head back on the pillow. For a few seconds my fingers hover over his dark curls itching to stroke through them but then I get myself under control.

The flimsy kitchen window rattles in the ferocious winter storm that is howling outside. Whilst I wait for the kettle to boil I yank up the heating to drive out the chill of the wind. I love my cottage but it’s old and not the most energy efficient. I really should get the windows changed to insulate the house better but with our company not doing brilliantly until recently, there hasn’t really been the option of splashing out on any renovations.

Luckily, thanks to Keeley’s help—who has done wonders for our marketing—we have a promising year ahead of us.. So maybe before next winter I can get some work done on the cottage.

“Can I have one?” Jake’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. He’s standing in the doorway with messy bed hair and a sleepy look on his face. His tight black shirt shows off his lean, muscular body and—holy fuck, I need to get my hormones under control.

“What’s that look?” he asks curiously.

“Someone needs to brush their hair,” I laugh, trying to make light of my unruly thoughts.

“Oh.” He slides his fingers through his black locks to get them straightened out but he just ends up with even wilder hair than before.

“Better?” he grins with this swoon-worthy boyish smile he has. We both turned forty this year but he definitely looks younger than me.

“Come here.” I wet my fingers under the tap and turn to Jake who looks at me intensely. Our eyes lock as I slide my wet fingers through his soft hair, at first with purpose. But my movements turn gentler under his scrutiny until they become strokes. His eyes widen and the look he gives me sends a fire through my body. It’s difficult to breathe. Every cell in my body wants me to step closer, to sink into his arms and to kiss him. But I stop myself and instead take a deep breath and step back. My phone starts ringing on the counter.

“There, that’s better,” I whisper before answering the call. “Hey, Ols.”

“Oh my god Hannah, are you both okay?” is my brothers stressed reply. I texted him after we got home to let him know I’d have to stay at home today and asked him to cover for me.

“Yes,” I try to get him to calm down, “as I said in my text, it was nothing. Something called round ligament pain. Totally normal and no risk to me or your niece.”

“Okay… you know you can call me at any time.” I can hear the relief in his voice. After the initial shock Ols has been nothing but supportive. I couldn’t ask for a better older brother.

“You never have your phone on,” I laugh. Oliver is a light sleeper who’s always put his phone on silent overnight.

“I do since you announced that you’re pregnant,” he replies. I’m speechless.

“Why?”

“In case you need me, of course.” I swallow hard.

“Oh, Ols—” Jake gives me a concerned look when he sees a tear roll over my cheek.

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