Page 52 of Jordan

"I don't want you to move."

"Just let me--" Twisting slightly, he moved until he was beside her, arms wrapped around her waist. "Better." He kissed her forehead and then the tip of her nose.

"I brought you back something."

"Yeah?" Her tapered brow lifted. "I happen to love presents. What is it?"

"I'll show you later." He touched the tip of her nose. "I want to take you away--a trip. Anywhere you want to go."

"Here's where I want to be." She brushed at a lock of hair that had fallen over his forehead. "Just be alone with you. Like this." She took a deep breath. "I suppose it's time to talk."

He closed his eyes briefly and nodded. "I suppose we should."

"We should--" He inched up towards the headboard and brought her up against him. She settled against his chest. "Comfy?"

She nodded and stayed silent for a few seconds as if contemplating how to begin.

"I was wrong about my dad," she began. "For years, I mistakenly believed he was perfect. Yes, I knew he drank and could be mean with it. I closed myself off and did not want to know that he was abusing my mom and my brother. He was so sweet to me, you see--" Shifting, so she could look at him, she continued. "I told myself that Caleb had left because he wanted to." Her lips tightened. "And I held onto that even after he died. He used to tell me stories, called me his princess, and pampered me. I refused to look past that." She stared down at the hand splayed over his chest for a tense few seconds. And he waited.

Her eyes lifted to his and he felt his heart moved at the agonized look on her face. "Caleb and I spoke just last week and for the first time, I really listened. My dad was a monster--" Her breath hitched, lips quivering. "I knew it and I refused to see it--" She shook her head.

"Baby--"

"No. Let me finish. I need to get it out. Everything." Her eyes met his and he tensed because he knew what that meant.

"All right." Taking a deep breath, he tightened his hold on her as if to reassure her that no matter what, he was with her.

"I hated your family. Hatred consumed me for years. I blamed them for everything, including my dad turning to alcohol. Every problem we faced, I laid them at their door. I wanted to pay them back for making our lives so unhappy. But that was not entirely true, and it took me a while to face that. When I did, I discovered that none of it mattered. That I love you." Her lips trembled and she had to press them together. Tears blurred her vision, and her fingers curled in the hairs on his chest.

He felt his entire life shifting and focusing on her. Just on her. "Baby." His hands were trembling as he used them to frame her face. "I promise you right now that I will try and make up for every bad thing that ever happened to you."

Her hands encircled his wrists, expression sincere and dazed with love. "It doesn't matter, not anymore. I want a family with you, Jordan. I am hoping that I am even now pregnant. I want to feel your seed growing inside me."

His eyes darkened, his heart turning over inside his chest.

"Why don't we start working on that right now?" he suggested thickly.

"I thought we already had." Smiling tremulously, she climbed on top of him, sending emotions clamoring for release. "And I see that you're more than ready."

"Always." Lifting her hips, he drove into her, fingers digging into her skin. Rearing up, he latched onto her nipple and sent her tumbling headlong into magic.

*****

He cooked them dinner after their very invigorating walk. He would have preferred to keep her in bed, but he supposed they needed the clean air, and it gave them the chance to talk some more. He had to admit that keeping her in bed resulted in only one thing and he did not want to tire her out.

"What?" He caught her smiling as he turned from testing the sauce for the pasta.

"You look adorable in that apron." Propping her chin on one hand, she sniffed the air. "And it smells delicious. When did you learn to cook?"

He had refused to have her help out, insisting on doing everything.

"I spent several summers at a boarding school and that was a requirement. I found that I actually love cooking." He also realized that he loved taking care of her, doing things for her. This right here was happiness clear and simple. Just being here with her and cooking her a meal.

"Grab the wine I brought with me. It's in the cooler." Turning off the flame, he remembered the gift he brought for her. "Give me a minute."

He disappeared from the kitchen, coming back shortly with a gaily wrapped box in violent purple. "Open it."

Turning away, he busied himself by opening the wine and filling the two glasses. He felt himself tensing as he listened to the rustle of paper as she opened it.

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