Page 58 of Wired Fear

“We’re together, Felicia.”God, she hoped they were.Sophie held the girl’s eyes with a compassionate gaze. “I hope that won’t be a problem at the office.”

Felicia straightened. “Nope. I get it.” She spun on a heel, and if she was crying as she hurried away down the hall, she had too much pride to let it show.

Sophie picked up Jake’s hand in the darkened room.Unusual for it to be so relaxed, open. Jake was always in motion, those hands at work, at play, in use all the time. And it had been way too long since they’d touched her, held her, loved her—and she, him.

Sophie traced the calluses at the base of Jake’s fingers, the thickened skin in the web of his thumb.All of the places a weapon touched.

Each of the men she’d loved, and she could admit now that there had been three, had such different calluses—butthiswas the hand she chose, she wanted, she needed. She kissed the hardened skin. Her eyes closed, breathing him in.

“My angel is still here.” Jake’s voice above Sophie was a hoarse croak.

“Jake!” Sophie stood swiftly, checking the monitors.

All of the beeping seemed normal. The doctor had told her he’d wake naturally when the swelling in his skull had gone down enough. She brought her gaze to Jake’s shadowed face, leaning over to kiss him gently. His lips felt like marble. She wanted to kiss them longer and warm them up. “I would have been an angel for sure if you hadn’t done what you did. How are you feeling?”

“Like I got shot in the head.” He groaned, raising the hand that wasn’t clutching hers to touch the thick bandage covering one side of his skull. “Feels like someone’s playing the bongos in there.”

Sophie began to sit back down, but he sidled over in the bed and opened his arm. “Can you come up here?”

“Of course.” Sophie’s pulse pounded with hope—he wanted her close! She climbed onto the bed, awkward with all of his monitors, tucking herself alongside him in a tight fit. They both emitted a sigh of contentment as she settled in. Sophie’s eyes drifted shut as Jake’s heat penetrated, melting her like wax into boneless contentment.He was always so warm.

Long moments went by as their breathing fell into sync.

“I have something to say.” Jake’s voice was more of a rumbling vibration than anything else, but Sophie tensed.

“We can talk later. When you’re feeling better.” The news about Alika being the baby’s father felt like a weight on her chest.

“No. I have to say this now.” Jake shifted her, groaned as his head was jostled, but persisted, positioning Sophie so that he could look into her face. “I’ve had time to think. About everything.”

Sophie stiffened further. “Please. Let’s do this when you’re better. You should rest.”

Jake’s eyes were caves of shadow; she wished she could see the expression in them. “I’ve had time to take a long, hard look at myself and my issues. And what I’ve decided is this: I don’t care who the baby’s father is. I love you. And I love the baby because it’s part of you.” Jake’s free hand slid around to cup her breast. “These are bigger, you know. I spotted that right away.”

Relief swamped Sophie, but she was about to put his words to the test. She wriggled as his thumb found her sensitive nipple. “I have to tell you the news about the baby’s father.”

“I guessed that was why you texted me. And I guessed it’s Alika’s baby, because you didn’t just tell me right off the bat.” He sounded matter-of-fact.

“And still you took a bullet for me. Forus.” Sophie pushed the button on the bed that turned on the light.She had to see his face.

“And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” Jake’s eyes were sunk in puffy lids, their silver color muted by the swelling distorting his face—but his gaze was unwavering, warm and loving on hers.

“I wish the baby were yours,” she whispered.

“It would have been nice.” Jake leaned forward to kiss her. “But it truly doesn’t matter.” His hand was still wandering, and now it rested gently on the grapefruit-sized hardness just beginning to reshape her abdomen. “This kid is going to have the best of both worlds—Alika’s awesome home and family, and you and me, too.”

Tears slid down Sophie’s cheeks. “I love you. I should have told you a long time ago, but I was uncertain. Afraid. I’ve made so many mistakes.”

“You know, my sister told me how to deal with a woman like you.” Jake snuggled Sophie closer, stroking her body from breast to hip, heating her up in spite of the hospital bed’s impedimenta. “She said not to be needy. To be so good you’d want to be with me.”

“Your sister is a wise woman,” Sophie said, and kissed him.

Chapter Forty-Four

The Edith Kanaka`ole Stadium seemed to vibrate from within like a giant drum, as the male dancers spun in perfect unison. The slap and thump of bare feet was emphasized by the percussion ofipuand chant, resonating in a silence held by the crowd, a bowl containing the performance. Skin gleamed over muscle and bone, and crisp, powerful movement gave an almost martial arts feel to thekanehula, the men’s stabbing motions of arms and hands warlike and riveting.

Connor sat beside Sophie in the front row, his eyes recording the amazing sight of the Merrie Monarch competition in full swing, but his real attention was on the woman beside him.

Sophie was holding Jake’s hand as he sat next to her. Both of their faces were turned up toward the stage, their eyes glued to the dancers, expressions rapt.

---