Page 28 of Need You To Choose Me

I run to her, my arm sliding around her and pulling her against my chest as the step beneath her breaks. I can feel her heart thunder against my hand, the erratic beat matching my own.

“Holy…”

Her body is shaking in my arms, so I tighten my hold on her. I put her down on the ground and turn her around so she’s facing me. Those blue eyes are wide like saucers as she stares at me blankly.

“Are you okay?” I cup her cheek as I take in her body, making sure she didn’t get hurt.

She blinks, turning her attention to the big hole in the step. “I almost fell.”

“That house is a death trap. Just another reason why you should marry me. I don’t want you living here.”

My words snap Savannah from her daze. Her head turns in my direction, her eyes shooting daggers my way. “I’mnotmarrying you. And want it or not, this place is my home.”

Stubborn, infuriating…

I grind my teeth together. I could see that she was still scared and upset about the whole situation, and any added stress wasn’t good for her or the baby. “And what will you do when the baby starts walking around?”

She takes a step back, breaking the connection between us. “Well, it’s a good thing that we’re far, far away from that problem, isn’t it?”

“Savannah…”

“I’ll deal with it. The house just needs a little love, that’s all.” I open my mouth to protest, but she shoots me a glare. “It will befixedby the time the baby comes.”

With that, she spins on her heels and starts to reach for the suitcase, but this time, I see it coming. Placing my hands on her shoulders, I gently move her out of my way. “Don’t you dare touch it.”

“I don’t need?—”

“I don’t care, Blondie. You’re not carrying that damn thing up the stairs that are already breaking down. Hell…” I eye the floorboards covering the front porch for a second before I lift her up.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she asks as I lift her over the steps and put her onto the porch. I hold my breath as I wait for a heartbeat and then another one, just in case, before I let go.

“Get your ass inside. I’ll bring in your things.”

She crosses her arms over her chest and gives me her best teacher look. Although, it doesn’t have the effect she wants because I can feel my dick twitch in interest as she glares at me. “Blake Walker, you’ll do no such thing.”

“Oh, yes, I will. You’re not carrying shit around when you’re pregnant.”

“Well, I’ll have you know I was doing just fine on my own so far.”

“Glad to hear that, but now I’m here, and I don’t want to hear a word about it.”

Her lips part, and I move forward. Since she’s standing on the porch, it puts her at the perfect height for me to look her in the eyes. “I swear to God, Savannah, if I hear you protest one more time, I’m going to shut that stubborn mouth with my own.”

She closes her mouth immediately, pink spreading over her cheeks as her gaze drops to my lips for a split second before she looks away.

“Get inside, Blondie,” I mutter, my voice coming out rough.

This time she doesn’t try to protest.

Letting out a long breath, I watch her as she turns around and pulls the key out of her bag, sliding it into the lock. Once she’s safely inside, at least I hope the inside is better than the outside, I grab the suitcase and test the second step. It groans at my weight but doesn’t break, so I quickly make my way up and into the house.

Savannah’s footsteps echo inside the dark house. I leave the suitcase by the door and go back to the car. It takes me a few trips, but finally her car is empty just as she comes from down the hallway.

“Do you need me to carry anything upstairs?”

She glances toward the stairs, her throat bobbing as she swallows. “No, this is fine.”

“Blondie…”

---