Oh, there was something, she thought, studying him. Weariness was evident in his handsome face and she realized the strain of all they’d gone through, plus Jed, was wearing on them both.
“Talk to me.” She walked up to where he stood, leaning on the railing.
He shook his head. “There was nothing specific. I just . . .”
Erin took a leap. “You don’t want to be alone,” she said, hoping she wasn’t so far off base she’d be mortified when he said she was wrong.
He exhaled and nodded. Relief shot through her and she held out her hand. She didn’t want to be alone either. As tired as she was, there was nothing sexual in her offer, and she didn’t get the feeling he was looking to cross that line again either. But they shared the same concerns over her safety and over Victoria’s craziness and potential next move, and now they both were worried about Jed. It made sense that they keep each other company while waiting for the morning . . . and for the surgery to come.
• • •
Cole didn’t remember the last time he’d been hesitant in asking—or taking what he wanted. But he’d done too much to Erin in a short time to risk hurting her again, so no sooner had he called out her name, he’d rejected the idea of asking
her to stay with him. He was relieved she’d either read him so well or merely wanted the same thing. He was too raw, too emotionally drained, to be alone.
By silent agreement, they went to her room, Erin disappearing into the bathroom to wash up. Cole stripped off his jeans and T-shirt and settled under the comforter. As soon as he lay back in Erin’s bed, a sense of rightness and peace settled over him, one he didn’t have the strength to think about or fight.
A few minutes later, she walked out of the bathroom wearing a black lace nightie that hit midthigh. It wasn’t one he’d seen before—it was definitely meant for her new, growing figure. It covered enough to be considered decent, but her breasts were larger now, her cleavage enticing no matter what she wore. And no matter how tired he was, he couldn’t deny the hardening of his groin, or the disappointment that rushed through him as he reminded himself tonight wasn’t about that.
She paused by the bed and met his gaze.
“Get in. I won’t bite.”
She laughed and slipped in. She lay on her side, facing him, and he tried to ignore how much of her breasts were exposed in that moment.
“You okay?” she asked.
He shrugged. “I’m numb. So much has happened since this morning, I don’t know what to feel. And we haven’t dealt with the Victoria situation and we can’t just forget she’s out there. Waiting. Plotting.”
Erin shivered and swallowed hard. “I know. But we can have Sam come to the hospital tomorrow and figure out another plan. If nothing else it’ll be a good way to pass those hours of Jed’s surgery.”
He propped his head up with one hand. “Good idea.”
She treated him to the sweet yet somehow intoxicating smile that was uniquely Erin.
She yawned then, and he was reaching over to shut the light when she squealed.
He jerked back around. Her hazel eyes were wide and glittered with an emotion he couldn’t name. “Erin?”
“I think the baby kicked,” she said in utter and complete awe.
He blinked. That was the last thing he’d expected her to say.
“Oh! I felt it again. It feels like little flutters from the inside.”
Her face glowed with excitement, and he couldn’t help but be drawn into the moment along with her. A slow burn of excitement unfurled inside him, as unexpected as it was sweet.
“Want to feel?”
The hesitancy in her voice touched him, and he nodded.
She took his hand and placed it over her stomach. Her skin was soft and smooth to the touch. Her gaze never left his as they waited in anxious silence for movement that never came. Just as he was about to remove his hand, Erin sucked in an excited breath.
“There! Feel it?” she asked.
He shook his head, the disappointment stronger than he would have expected.
She let out a sigh and frowned, an adorable pout, that had him aching to kiss her on those luscious lips. “I was worried about that. The books say sometimes the first kicks are only felt by the mom. It can take a few more weeks until you can feel it from the outside.”