Page 41 of Clara's Secure Hideaway

Instead, he wrapped his other arm around her and held her tight. He could feel every beat of her heart, sense the unease clinging to her skin. He grazed his fingertips along her biceps, and her body shivered.

She glanced up. “I’m not worried when I’m with you. Even knowing he’s out there. I know you’ll keep me safe.” Her gaze went to his mouth, and she moved a little bit closer.

His pulse raced and an army of butterflies flapped their wings in his stomach. He wanted to kiss her, to taste her, to show her how deep his feelings had grown. But he didn’t want to rush her, to move too fast and scare her away.

As if reading his mind, she fisted the material at the neck of his t-shirt. “I’d really like you to kiss me now.”

He grinned. “You sure?”

“Only if you want to.”

“Honey, I’ve wanted to do nothing else for weeks. But I don’t want to rush anything. You’re worth the wait. All three of you are.”

“Well, the wait is over. For all of us.”

Not needing any more encouragement, he kissed her lips and stars exploded behind his closed eyelids. His body screamed to take more, to kiss her harder, but reason held him back. Told him to take his time—build the anticipation and prove to her he’d cherish her always.

A small moan purred from her throat and almost tore his restraint to shreds. She shifted, sliding her arms around his neck and her breasts pressed against his chest.

His nerve endings sparked with lust, heat pooling in his core. Dear God in heaven she was amazing.

“Mama?” Davey’s voice floated down the hall seconds before the patter of little feet reached Heath’s ears.

Clara broke the kiss, her forehead resting on his for a second before shifting to face the hallway. “Baby, you’re supposed to be sleeping.”

Davey rubbed his eyes and climbed into Clara’s lap. “Avery and I can’t sleep. We’re too hungry.”

The expression she shot Heath was filled with an apology that was completely unnecessary. Clara was a package deal. A package that he was thrilled to have, inconvenient interruptions and all. “Can I drink my coffee before I make you lunch?”

Avery ran down the hall next, catapulting herself onto Heath’s lap. She rested her head on his chest and popped her thumb in her mouth.

“See,” Davey said. “She’s so hungry she’s eating her thumb.”

Heath couldn’t stop his chuckle at the little boy’s serious tone, implying the two of them were starving. “How about we order a pizza?”

Davey straightened. “Really?”

“Really.” He fished his phone from his pocket and pulled up the website to his favorite local pizza shop. “Pepperoni okay?”

“Cheese, please,” Avery sang.

“Two pizzas it is. I’ll pay for it on the app because I don’t know about you, but I don’t have any cash on me.” He plugged the information into the site and submitted the order just before his phone rang, showcasing his mom’s number. Frowning, he answered. “Hello?”

“Heath, it’s Mila. We’ve been in an accident. You need to come to the hospital to see your mom. Now.”

* * *

Alarm straightenedClara’s spine as the color drained from Heath’s face. She grabbed Avery off his lap and held both the kids close. “Do you two want to watch a cartoon?”

“Yes!”

She scooted them to the den and situated them in front of one of their favorite shows then hurried back to the living room.

Heath paced across the colorful rug. “Okay. I’ll be right there.”

She waited in the doorway and bit her thumbnail. Her mind spun as she wondered who was on the other line and what news they’d delivered that had gotten Heath so worked up. She kept her questions to herself while he ended the call and shoved his phone back in his pocket.

Facing her, Heath tunneled his hand through his hair. “That was Mila. They were in an accident and ran into a tree. Mom was taken to the hospital.”

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