Page 117 of Between You and Me

“Yup. I’m fine.”

His gaze turned from one of concern to one of wonder. “I can’t believe you’re really pregnant. It’s so soon.”

“Your boys must be great swimmers,” she said. With a mischievous grin, she added, “Michael Phelps–level swimmers, baby. You should get a gold medal.”

He choked out a laugh. But then his face changed and he said quietly, “So . . . here’s a question.” His expression grew somber. “How much longer are you staying in Aspen? Are you going to stick with the doctors here, at the clinic for a while? Or is their job done, and you’ll be going back to New York?”

A lump thickened Tess’s throat. She swallowed hard and said, “Funny you bring that up. While I was waiting for you to get here, that was the only other call I made. I have an appointment with my OB in three weeks. So . . . I’ll be here for another two weeks or so, but then yes, I’ll be heading back to New York. I’ll need to start preparing.”

Logan’s moss-colored eyes flashed and his fingers squeezed her arms, so quickly she guessed it was involuntary. But he nodded and said, “I figured as much.”

She leaned in, pressing her chest against his, and stared into his eyes. “I know you’ve now fulfilled your end of the deal. I’ll never be able to thank you enough. But Logan . . .” I love you. I don’t want to leave you. I wish we could be together somehow. “We’ve become such good friends. I really enjoy spending time with you. You . . . You’ve been the best part of my time here. I mean that. And I hope you’ll still . . . well, just want to spend some time with me before I leave. Beyond the appearances for your mother. I know you’re not really obligated to, now that I’m pregnant, but . . . I mean . . .”

He peered deep into her eyes, slowly sliding his hand along her jaw to cup her chin. His voice was gruff as he murmured, “Of course I will. I want that too.” He trailed his fingers along her cheek, then played lightly in her hair. “I told you a while ago, your friendship means a lot to me too. I don’t text you every day, call you, hang out with you, solely because of obligation. That changed a while back.” His gaze was so intense, it made her shiver. “I enjoy spending time with you too. It’s very mutual, Tess. If nothing else, I hope you know that. That I . . . really care about you.”

She drew a long, shuddery breath and let her head drop onto his shoulder. I love you, you big lug, she wanted to shout. I wish you’d let me love you, and I wish you could love me back. But she fought to make other conversation. “So, we’ll, um . . . we’ll tell your mom that I’m going back to New York soon, but that I’ll be visiting you here once a month, for a few days each time.” She looked at him again. “Which I will, Logan. I won’t disappear. I’ll hold up my end of the deal, don’t worry.”

He only nodded. She saw so much in his eyes . . . There was a lot going on, but she couldn’t read him. She wished she knew what the hell he was thinking. She could feel that he wanted to say something, in almost palpable waves radiating off him . . . but instead, he lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers, a tentative gesture. She leaned into it and turned it into a full, deep kiss. The spark ignited quickly; they stood there kissing, caressing, holding tight . . . It had been weeks since they’d slept together.

“Is it wrong to say I want you right now?” he asked gruffly, breathing hard.

“I was thinking the same thing,” she said, grasping his face to kiss him again.

He grabbed her ass and pressed her tightly against him. She felt his cock getting harder by the second. Unable to help herself, she wiggled a little against him and he groaned. “The benefits part of this friendship . . .” he said between kisses as he made his way along her jaw, her neck, trailing his hot open mouth along her skin. “We’ve always been totally in sync there.”

“Indeed. So maybe it’s the perfect way to celebrate the good news,” she suggested, her head falling back as he nibbled the sweet spot behind her ear. Her body arched, pressing against him. The feel of his erection already insistent against her belly made her feel powerful, sensual. She ran her hand along the ridge in his jeans.

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