Page 14 of Love Me Like You Do
“Definitely.”
He didn’t add that he’d track her down and haul her back if she left. She was obviously wiped out from crying and she probably hadn’t caught up after the long drive to reach him because by the time he arrived in his bedroom, Cov was sound asleep.
Easing her onto the unmade bed, he debated removing the wet sweatshirt. The house was warm but he didn’t want to risk her getting cold and it couldn’t be comfortable having all that wet fabric sticking to her skin. With as much care as he could manage he pulled the top off and tucked her under the covers without waking her. She stirred. Mumbled something about needing to tell the babies’ daddy and tissues.
Tris shook his head. He had no idea what one had to do with the other. It didn’t matter. Right now she needed rest and he had four days before his next shift to make sure she got plenty of it. After her nap they’d head out to get some groceries. They needed to stock up ready for the big snowfall heading their way.
They should probably see about getting an appointment with a doctor too. He believed her when she said everything was fine, but for his peace of mind he’d like Jason Gilmore to take a look at her. The doc was new in town but Tris had liked him instantly and, more importantly, he trusted him. Putting Cov and her babies in the other man’s capable hands felt right.
Yeah, they’d definitely make an appointment before he went back on shift.
Leaving the bedroom and a sleeping Cov, he went to the bathroom, cleaned up quickly and grabbed the dirty washing. He’d put a load on now then he could toss it in the drier before they went shopping. Depending on how long she slept he’d suggest stopping for lunch at Sue Ann’s Café first. They could both do with a home cooked meal.
With the clothes in the washer he went back to check on Cov. She was right where he’d left her. Tucked up in his bed. He couldn’t resist the urge to lie down beside her and watch her sleep.
Her face was thinner, and the dark smudges under her eyes had to go. She looked different but the same. There were subtle changes but she was still beautiful. He hadn’t seen her smile yet. He’d lived for those smiles even when she’d been engaged to another man. From the minute he’d met her Tris hadn’t been able to stop himself from getting close to her—from falling for her.
And now she was here. Pregnant with someone else’s babies and he didn’t give a damn. He still wanted her. The sweatshirt had hidden her belly but when he’d removed it he’d seen the swell beneath her t-shirt. He’d never thought about having children. They hadn’t been on his radar. Now it was all he could think about.
He wanted those babies to be his. Wanted to have that connection with her for the rest of their lives. He’d been half in love with her before. She’d driven him crazy until he’d gotten a taste of her and he’d known his life would never be the same.
He’d wanted to deepen their friendship from the beginning and now here she was. In his bed. Pregnant. And all he could think about was pulling her close and holding on.
Never letting go.
