Page 5 of Wine & Whiskey: Everything for You
She gives him her posed smile. Pretends to be okay for him, when nothing about what she’s gone through, what he’s done to her, is fucking all right. Yet, she never blames him, never severs the connection between them. “You don’t look so sure.”
“I’m scared.” Her voice catches as her head drops forward, her doubt slicing through his chest like a blade. “I want everything to be okay between us.”
Fuck this. Quiet since they left the hospital, she worries about something he has to absolve her of. The only person who deserves guilt is him. Kicking off his shoes and throwing his phone on the counter, he steps into the whirlpool tub and squats in front of her. “It is.”
A sob catches in her throat as she laughs through her tears. “What are you doing?”
“I had to be with you.” His thumbs rub across her cheeks, the silky skin warm under his touch. “Don’t cry. We’re going to get through this.”
“It’s just with Evan, I didn’t—”
Fury flames through his veins at the mention of that motherfucker’s name. He knew the asshole was behind her fear. None of that matters, though, until she trusts him again. “I love you. Do you love me?”
“Yes.” She nods, breathless with the certainty of her answer. “More than I can explain.”
He sits down and pulls her onto his lap. Cupping her face, he touches his forehead to hers, ensuring his intention is clear. “This is it. We’re together. Nothing and no one will change that.”
“But…” Both her body and voice shake. “I—”
“I mean it. No matter what happens, nothing’s going to separate us.”
“You sound so confident.”
“I am. We belong together. I’m never letting you go.”
“But you don’t know what I’ve done.”
He can’t help but stiffen under her trembling body. She clings to him, her breath heavy against his neck. Unwilling to meet his gaze, she conveys a fear that churns his gut. It’s time to know the truth. “Did you sleep with him?”
Long hair rustles against his damp shoulder as she shakes her head.
Relief loosens his clenched muscles. He would forgive her for it after he was such a bastard to her, but he would never be able to erase the image from his mind. “Then what is it? Don’t be afraid to tell me.”
The back of his shirt lifts from his drenched skin, her hands kneading the fabric between her fingers. “I know the timing is terrible, and I didn’t do it on purpose. I—”
Nope. There’s no way in hell he’s going to let her suffer even an ounce of guilt. Not over the gift she gives him. “I don’t think any of that. Just say it.”
“I’m pregnant.” She lifts up from his chest, but keeps her face tilted down, biting her lip. “Are you mad?”
“I’ve been ecstatic ever since Nathan let it slip at the hospital.”
Her head flies up, her beautiful, blue eyes wide as she stares at him. “You knew?”
“Yeah. But you’ve been through so much, I wanted to let you tell me when you were ready.” He slides his hands under her chin, meeting her expectant gaze. “I love it. You give me everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“Me too.” Pink tints her cheeks as she gives him her shy smile. “I was shocked but excited when I found out.” The sentiment fades before trepidation lines her forehead. “And a little scared. I wasn’t sure how you’d take it.”
“You know you never have to be afraid.” He cups her face, brightening at his touch, matching the elation rolling through him. “But you know, you’re stuck with me now. You have to marry me, and I…”
The words choke in his throat as the realization hits him—the real reason for her fear. Fucking shit. Not of telling him, but of keeping it from him. She and Evan. That son of a bitch. “You weren’t going to tell me, were you? That’s why Evan was pressuring you so much. You were going to marry him and raise our child without me ever finding out.”
Delicate fingers grasp his own as she shakes her head. “I wasn’t. I swear. I love you too much to be with someone else. I just needed time to think. You were so upset—”
She says the words he longs to hear, but they can’t hold back the avalanche as the truth comes crashing down, suffocating with her doubt in him. “Why would you do that to me?” He curls his fists into his eyes. “Don’t bother answering. I already know. I’m a fucking monster. You think I’ll hurt you again. Or the baby.”
“No!” She pushes down his hands and grasps his cheeks, her gaze boring into his with a vehemence he’s not seen before. “I never, ever thought that. Not once. I was just trying to protect you. I knew how upset you were about what happened after Spencer drugged you. I didn’t want the stress of protecting a baby to push you over the edge.”
Shame steals all his strength, his head falling forward, unable to withstand her resolute certainty. But she lifts it back up. “Worrying about me was destroying you, and I didn’t want to make it worse. That’s the only reason. I know you would never hurt either of us. Please, Nick. Please say you believe me.”
