Page 8 of Not Because You Loved Me

Gideon looked at me from across the island, his expression unreadable, but he gave a subtle, encouraging nod.

I looked down at my phone on the counter. The screen lit up with a new text from her.

Kat

The roads are terrible. We’re moving slowly. Be home late. Don't worry about coming over tonight! xoxo

I stared at the words; her trying to be strong, trying not to burden me, carrying everything by herself.

I blew out a heavy breath. Dad was right. Kat had spent her whole life relying only on herself. She didn't know how to ask for help, and she was probably terrified to tell me about the baby because she thought I'd see it as a trap or a burden. Where my dad had stepped up, hers had run in the other direction, and then her mom dropped her with a distant relative and never looked back.

Tomorrow, when she woke up, I’d make sure she never doubted her place in my life again.

Because as soon as the roads were clear and the shops were open, I was going to buy a ring.

CHAPTER 4

Katerina

December 1

My eyes pulled open to sunlight filtering through the blinds and the unmistakable, mouth-watering smell of bacon and toasted sourdough.

I stretched lazily under the duvet, my body still aching from the nightmare bus ride through yesterday’s blizzard. We hadn't pulled into the arena parking lot until nearly three in the morning, and I’d stumbled into my house so exhausted I hadn't even bothered to wash my face before collapsing into bed.

The bedroom door clicked open, and Trent walked in. He was wearing worn jeans and a dark t-shirt; his hair looked like he'd been running his hands through it, holding a wooden bed tray, one I was fairly certain I didn't own. On it sat a plate of scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, sliced fruit, and a steaming mug of coffee.

I sat up, pushing my wild hair back, a surprised laugh catching in my throat. "Good…”, I looked at the clock, realizing it was barely still morning, “ … Morning. Where did you get a bed tray?"

"My mom," he said, his voice lower and raspier than usual. He set the tray carefully across my lap, then sat on the edge of the mattress.

He was staring at me. Not just looking, but watching me with an intensity that made my pulse jump. His dark brown eyes tracked every tiny movement as I reached for a fork, looking almost consumed by whatever was going on in his mind. I swallowed hard, taking in what I could only assume to be raw heat from a man who had obviously missed me and had a long night of worrying about me on a frozen highway.

"You look exhausted," he said quietly, his hand reaching out to smooth a stray lock of hair behind my ear. His touch was so careful, so deliberate. "Did you sleep okay?"

"Better now," I murmured, taking a bite of eggs. "This is amazing, Trent. You didn't have to go through all of this… you don’t have to serve me breakfast."

"I wanted to," he replied, his thumb lightly brushing across my jawline. "I hate thinking about you out on those roads by yourself. You shouldn't have to handle everything on your own, Kat."

My heart softened, those words from Robin and Stacey echoing through my head: Let him love you.

I finished half the plate before setting the fork down. I looked at his broad chest, at the flex of his arm as he leaned against his knee, and a wave of heat rolled straight through me. "I need a shower," I whispered, my eyes locking onto his. "Come with me?"

A muscle clenched in his jaw. "Kat, you're tired… you should finish your food and…"

"I missed you," I interrupted gently, reaching out to take his hand, pulling his fingers to my lips. "I want you."

The tension in his shoulders snapped. He set the tray on the bed beside me and took my hand, leading me into the ensuite bathroom.

The steam filled the room, turning the glass enclosure into a warm, foggy sanctuary. When Trent stepped under the hot spray with me, he didn't rush. His hands were everywhere, rinsing the shampoo from my hair, soaping my shoulders, tracing every line of my skin as if he were trying to memorize me.

Before I could pull him closer, Trent sank down to his knees on the tiled floor.

I gasped as his hands gripped my thighs, his mouth pressing against my wet skin with a desperate quality that took my breath away. He kissed and nipped and licked me. His hands slid up to my hips, his grip firm but not bruising, keeping me exactly where he wanted me. Trent brushed his nose across my clit, pulling a whimper out of me, before looking up at me, mist heavy in the steamy shower and holding my eyes while he painstakingly slowly slid his tongue out and circled my throbbing nub. My nipples were hard peaks. I trailed my hands through his hair and up to my breasts, knowing that he loved when I played with myself. Trent growled into my pussy, moving one of his hands from my hip, between my legs and slowly sliding a finger in my as he used his thumb in coordination with his skillful tongue.

“More,” I moaned, feeling so close to the edge.

And Trent delivered; he ravaged me until my legs trembled and I had to hold on to his shoulders to stay upright. And when I thought he was done, he didn't just stand up; he lingered. His hands moved around to my back, and then warm lips pressed a slow, reverent kiss to my hipbone, moving across my abdomen with an agonizingly tender gentleness. He pressed his mouth right below my belly button. A soft, lingering kiss against my lower stomach, his warm palms pulling me even closer, as if he couldn't get me close enough, like he were holding something fragile. He held the kiss for a long moment before slowly tracing a line of soft kisses up my abdomen, past my ribs, up to my chest.