Page 277 of Iced Up Love: Part Two
“This is my life,” he continues, his voice low, steady, but weighted. “The world I’m stepping into. And these are the people who helped take you from me.”
The words land deep. Too deep. My grip tightens on his shirt.
“I don’t want anything to happen to you,” I whisper.
He exhales slowly, then pulls me into him. Close. Firm. His mouth finds mine.
And this, this isn’t the careful restraint. This isn’t the distance. This is him.
The real him.
Deep.
Possessive.
Grounded.
His hand slides to my throat, wrapping gently, enough that I feel it, enough that it anchors me completely to him. His other hand presses flat against my stomach, holding me there, holding us there.
“I promise you,” he murmurs against my lips, his voice rougher now, breaking slightly under the weight of it, “I will come home to you… and our baby.”
My breath catches.
“Stay with Jackson and Zach,” he adds quietly.
I nod.
Because I don’t trust my voice. Because if I speak, I might beg him not to go again. He presses one more kiss to my mouth.
Then he steps back.
And just like that, he’s gone.
But not before his gaze flicks to Jackson and Zach.
Silent.
Heavy.
A message without words. The door closes. The apartment feels bigger. Colder. Too empty. Zach’s hand finds mine again almost immediately.
“Come on, baby,” he murmurs gently. “Sit down. Let us take care of you.”
Jackson is already there, his hand at my back, guiding me back toward the couch.
I let them.
Because right now I need something to hold onto.
And they’re here.
They’re steady.
They’re not leaving.
And that’s enough to keep me from falling apart while I wait for him to come home.
fifty-nine
