Page 76 of Snowed In with My Best Friend's Dad

I wanted to tell him no, but as I looked into his gray eyes, I couldn’t form the word. “Okay."

His fingers brushed my cheek. "Are you doing this only for the baby?"

I was confused about why he was repeating my thoughts back to me.

I hesitated to answer, and he reached out, pressing a finger over my lips. "No, don't tell me. It's enough that you said yes. "

And that's how on Friday afternoon, a few days later, I was beside him in his SUV as we drove back out to the cabin. As we approached it, bittersweet feelings filled me. This place was where I had fallen in love for the first time. I mean really fallen in love. Not a little crush or infatuation. But it had gone so horribly wrong.

We entered the cabin, and I wondered why he needed to come. It felt fresh and ready for summer fun.

"I had the guy who keeps up on the place come earlier in the week to make sure we had food, and everything was aired out. But I do need to check on a few things before we settle in."

I nodded. "I can make dinner if you'd like."

He shook his head. "I'm making dinner. This is a respite for you."

"Well, I won’t argue with that."

I don't know if it was being at the cabin or maybe the fact that over the last few weeks, I was softening to him, but as the evening wore on, the animosity and the desire to keep Brett away were practically nonexistent. Only the fear still remained. But even that was dissipating.

After dinner, he made hot chocolate, and he sat on the couch while I lay in front of the fire enjoying the warmth. My hands rested on my belly, where I noted that it was finally starting to protrude. Movement under my hand caught my attention. Was that my stomach growling? It happened again, and I realized that it was the baby.

"Oh, my God."

Brett was off the couch and by my side in an instant. "Is something wrong? Jesus fuck, where’s my phone? I’ll call 9-1-1."

I let out a giddy laugh as I grabbed his hand. "No, everything's fine. It's the baby. I think I can feel the baby." I pressed his hand over my belly, and for long moments, we waited. I began to wonder if I'd imagined it. But then it was there again.

Brett's eyes shot to mine, filling with tears. "Holy shit." He leaned over, his lips pressing to mine in a kiss that was so intense, so emotional that I had no other choice but to respond.

My hormones fired up hot and needy. I tugged him over me, wanting to immerse myself in him. “I want you.”

He groaned as his hands roamed. “I’ll take care of you.”

“No. I want you in me.”

He stopped touching, forcing a whimper from me. “What about the baby? About your condition?”

“It’s fine. The doctor said sex was okay.”

His fingers brushed my cheeks. “Are you sure, Miranda? I don’t want to hurt you.”

I pushed him back, straddling him. “You’re the one who will be hurt if I don’t feel you in me.”

He laughed. “Well, alright, then.”

With love and laughter, we undressed. Once naked, the mood turned slow and seductive. Brett’s lips kissed me everywhere, followed by the caress of his fingers until all my nerves were humming with need.

“Brett.” I reached for him.

“I’m here.” He maneuvered me over him again. “Take what you need, Miranda. Whatever you want, take it from me.”

I ran my hand down his chest, desperately wanting to tell him I wanted his love. I was certain he cared for me, but love? I couldn’t be sure. This could just be friends with benefits. Or maybe coparents with benefits.

Deep down, I had a niggling fear that I would be hurt again, but at this moment, rising over him to take him inside me, there was only him, only me, only us.

“God, Miranda.” He levered up as I sank over him. His lips wrapped around my nipple and sucked. I felt it all the way to my center.

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