Flash Burned (Burned 2)

Dane was quiet a moment, then conceded. “Kyle’s, too.”

I snuggled closer. “Are you done being upset? Pissed? Worried? All of the above?”

“Not a chance.”

“Hmm. That’s too bad.” I tugged the shirt hem from the waist of his dress pants and slid my hands under the material. His abs flexed beneath my touch. I grinned.

“You really don’t know how to keep yourself out of trouble, do you, Mrs. Bax?”

My stomach flipped. “I like all your references to me being your wife.”

“I like what you’re doing,” he murmured against my hair.

I worked the buttons on his shirt and spread the material open. Both palms glided over his hot skin and hard muscles.

Gazing up at him, I said, “You’re too damn tempting.” Even the scar on his chest and the one cutting across his chiseled abs, both just faint reminders of the disaster at 10,000 Lux, added to his edgy perfection.

I left kisses over his tanned and sculpted torso while he stripped off his shirt. Then his strong arms encircled my waist and he lifted me slightly off the floor and walked us to the bed. The backs of my legs hit the mattress and he eased me down.

He quickly peeled away my clothes, then stretched alongside me.

One of his hands skimmed over my shoulder, then down to my breast, cupping it and squeezing gently. I wondered if he noticed that I filled his palm more than in the past or if he’d comment about my slightly curvier figure and the low rise of my belly.

But then I recalled how I’d gained weight during all of the food sampling at the Lux before Thanksgiving, and suspected he didn’t see or feel a difference. After all, he hadn’t been with me when I’d lost weight in the hospital and when the severe morning sickness had left my stomach concave.

I relaxed, certain he had no idea I was pregnant. Not that I wasn’t dying to tell him—what woman, wife, mother-to-be, wouldn’t be? But following our discussion and his fear over how his work impacted me. I knew I had to keep my own secret.

Conversely, I was presented with the opportunity to be completely selfish. If I told Dane about the baby, he’d never leave my side.

But just as he’d never forgive himself if something were to happen to me, I’d never forgive myself for pulling him away from what needed to be done.

It was all kinds of fucked up, in the hopes justice would prevail. Given all I’d lost and succumbed to this far, I was in too deep to let it all slip away now, just to keep him close.

So I bit my tongue, even though every fiber of my being screamed to share the joy of childbearing wit

h my husband.

Sacrifices.

I’d never made so many before, but once again, I thought of the greater good. Not just me, Dane, the baby, and Kyle. Though the reason I was likely capable of this approach was because of the protection surrounding me. And the fact that I wanted to safeguard my family just as fiercely as everyone else did.

I tangled my fingers in Dane’s lush hair and said, “I’m sorry you had to drop everything to come back.”

“I’m sorry I have to be away so long.”

“I do miss your hands on my body.” I winked. Tried to keep things light so I didn’t spew my guts and tell him how painful it was to be without him. How much I wanted him learning everything about our child along with me. How I craved him each and every night that we were apart.

His lips grazed mine. Then he murmured, “You are so very beautiful. I lie awake and think of how soft and flawless your skin is. How perfect you are.”

I groaned. “Not so flawless or perfect.” I had my own scars.

“Hmm,” he groaned sexily. “You never see what I see.”

His finger and thumb toyed with my puckered nipple, tightening it more. His head dipped and he suckled softly before fluttering his tongue against the sensitive bud. My breasts grew heavy with desire. Need coursed through me, hot and bright.

He lavished the other nipple with the same delicious attention and I writhed beneath him, my back bowing to press myself against his mouth, my breasts aching for everything he offered. Every sinful touch.

“You taste good.” His warm breath blew against the taut peak, making it impossibly hard. “And feel so incredible.” His hand slid over my rib cage and belly, lower to the apex of my legs.