Dirk sat next to me and pulled my feet onto his lap. He looked exhausted, and I finally realized how early in the morning it was. Had he gotten any sleep at all?
“Have you slept at all, Dirk?”
He dropped his head back onto the sofa and mumbled, “Not really. I was worried about you.”
My stomach dipped; I felt guilty for making him worry, even if I hadn’t meant to do it.
His fingers, still massaging my feet, slowed, and I smiled. He was exhausted, and yet he had just made me a full breakfast and helped clean up the kitchen. There was no way I was letting him fall asleep on my sofa.
I moved and stood, which caused him to stir and open his eyes. I held out my hand to him, and he smiled.
“Come on, let’s get you to bed,” I said.
Without a single argument, Dirk took my offered hand and we walked back to my bedroom. We both slipped out of our clothes and climbed into the bed. Dirk instantly pulled me against him, his arm holding me protectively, and I was positive he was asleep within a minute. After waiting to make sure he was, I turned in his arms and watched him. Everything felt so surreal as I stared at the man sleeping in my bed.
He looked so at peace, and I wanted to crawl into his head and hear his thoughts. His chest rose and fell with each breath, and I soon found myself fighting to keep my eyes open. I couldn’t possibly be tired. Not after sleeping for as long as I did.
Somehow, though, I snuggled in closer to his side and felt his arm wrap tightly around my body. Soon, I gave in to the fight and drifted off to sleep in the arms of the man I was crazy in love with.
Chapter Twenty-Four
DIRK
With a start, I jerked my eyes open and glanced around the room. It only took me a moment to realize where I was.
Merit.
Glancing down, I smiled at the sight. For the first time in my life, I felt a contentment I never dreamed I would feel rush over me. My best friend, and the woman I loved, was in my arms sleeping so peacefully.
I closed my eyes and took in a slow, deep breath. The last few months, so many things had changed. My father’s death being the major one. Everything had looked so different after he left. Things still looked and felt different, but a small spark of hope started to build inside of me the moment I found out Merit was pregnant.
Hell, if I was being honest, things hadn’t been the same since I saw her on New Year’s Eve. Being able to finally utter the words to her earlier this morning—that I loved her—had felt so freeing. Once I said them, I couldn’t seem to stop saying them.
Merit stirred and then froze. She suddenly sat up straight, covered her mouth, and jumped from the bed.
“Merit?” I called out as she ran into the bathroom. “Shit.”
I scrambled out of the bed and stopped when I saw her bent over the toilet. She was throwing up, and the strangest sensation came over me. I wanted to do whatever I could to make it better.
“Baby,” I said as I dropped down and rubbed her back. She threw up with so much force, I felt my own stomach lurch.
I quickly glanced around her bathroom. Hanging on the towel rack was a washcloth. I grabbed it, ran it under hot water, and waited for her to finish. When she dropped back and leaned against the wall, I handed her the washcloth.
“How long have you felt sick like this?” I asked as I wrapped a towel around myself and sat down across from her. She must have gotten up at some point and put my t-shirt back on, because she was currently wearing it.
She smiled weakly. “Um…a while now. It seems to be getting worse, though.”
Guilt hit me square in the chest as I watched her bury her face in the cloth. I should have been here for her.
Merit pulled the washcloth away and rubbed it behind her neck. “I felt sick a few hours ago, but it passed once I got up and drank some water.”
I frowned. “I didn’t hear you get up, I’m sorry.”
Her eyes met mine. “Don’t be sorry, Dirk. It’s normal. I’m fine.”
“I don’t like seeing you sick.”
She let out a soft chuckle. “I don’t like being sick, but I don’t think either of us have a say in it at this point.”
I nodded and laughed. “Guess not. Is it just in the morning you feel sick?”
“Mainly. There are points during the day where I feel a bit queasy, but mornings seem to really get me. Like as soon as I open my eyes, you better get out of my way!”