Chapter Seventeen

“Jess…” He abandoned her lips to brush a kiss against her temple, his breath stirring her hair. “Let’s go back inside. You’re trembling.”

“It has nothing to do with the weather.” She felt the warm curve of his smile against her skin.

Then he slipped his glove back on and tipped his head toward the house. “C’mon.”

Clasping his hand, Jessie followed as Chase led the way toward the house. After covering the wide expanse of the yard in silence, he pushed open the back door and ushered her in out of the cold.

She had no more than stepped inside the privacy of a warm, dark entryway, when strong hands found her waist. He drew her close, rekindling their kiss, and Jessie responded with every ounce of desire she’d ever felt. This man. This moment. This magic. It was all she’d ever wanted, ever dreamed it could be.

But guilt nipped at her conscience. She hadn’t told him what he needed to know. Was she risking it all with mere silence?

Maybe. Possibly. Probably?

Jessie pulled away slowly.

Gently, he framed her face with now warm hands. “Honey, what is it?”

She gave a sorrowful shrug. “I…I don’t know…how to tell you…” Had she won this man’s heart, only to reveal…what? Another tiny heart beat within her?

Just then, the kitchen light flipped on. Through squinting eyes, she looked up.

“Well, well, well. It’s about time.” Birdie beamed while she buttoned her winter coat. “You lovebirds look like two deer caught in the headlights.”

“Could be because you’ve focused a damn spotlight on us.” Chase tugged out of his jacket.

“Could be.” She chuckled. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”

A flush of crimson warmed Jessie’s cheeks. She slipped off her long coat and hung it on a nearby hook, hoping no one would notice her obvious embarrassment.

“There’s hot chocolate and marshmallows on the counter, not that you’re interested. The babies are sleeping away, and I’m done for the day, so I’ll see you both in the morning. Whatever you’ve got going on there, take it elsewhere, kids. You’re dripping all over my clean floor.”

“Good night, Birdie.” Chase opened the door for her.

“See you two tomorrow.”

Jessie kicked off her wet boots. They had left quite a puddle. She couldn’t help but think the snow was melting faster due to the heat of that kiss. She fanned her face at the vivid memory.

Chase dimmed the intrusive light and reached for her hand. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for so long, I can’t even remember.”

She couldn’t help the sad smile tugging her lips at the sound of such sweet words. “I feel the same way. But, Chase…” She took a deep, shuddering breath and exhaled slowly. It was time. “It’s complicated. More than you know. Because I’m…I’m…”

“You’re beautiful and kind and—”

“Pregnant.” She barely breathed the word.

He remained perfectly still, searching her face. Then he tilted his head a bit to one side without saying anything. Like he was taking it all in.

Jessie pulled her lower lip in between her teeth and gave a weak nod. She placed a hand on his arm. Holding on. Wishing he would say that it would be all right, that it didn’t matter.

But he did not.

“Please, say something.” Her stomach knotted. An acute sense of loss rifled through her. Was this the end of them, of everything they’d almost had? She’d kept the secret so long. Too long, maybe? It had seemed the best thing to do. How could she have known she’d feel this way? That they’d feel this way about each other? She’d never dreamed it would matter so very much. Her eyes welled with tears.

He reached out, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “Does Brian know?” he asked, his voice infinitely quiet.

She nodded miserably.

“And he let you go?” Disbelief clouded his expression.

Warm fingers brushed her cheek, wrapping around the back of her neck, guiding her closer. His tenderness nearly stole her breath away. Tears spilled over as she moved into the comfort of his arms.

Tugging her close, he held her as she wept for so many reasons. Her baby, whom she wanted very much, could cost her the love of this good man. He didn’t need another child. It wasn’t fair to him or the twins. And a pregnancy that should be exciting and new was fraught with misgivings and doubts. Everything was going wrong. Turning sideways. All at once.

“How could he?” Chase whispered against her curls.

She moaned softly, instinctively, in response to such gentle words. “I’m glad Brian is out of my life. That’s how I want it to be.” She buried her face in the curve of his neck and felt the steady beat of his heart. How safe she felt. More than she’d ever known. A feeling she hadn’t realized she lacked. “I should have told you weeks ago. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Don’t let anything spoil this for you, Jess.”

He pulled away slightly, placing a hand against the cream-colored sweater covering her abdomen. His smile was as intimate as his caress.

“This baby could be once in a lifetime.”

She eased back into strong arms and clung to him. To his warm, wonderful words. His hope. His optimism. His understanding.

“But, Chase…” She bit her lower lip, fearing the question, but fearing the answer more. Does it change everything?

“We’ll be okay, Jess. We’ll figure it out.”

“Are you sure?” Her heart skipped a beat. “I mean, do you still…still want me to stay?”

He searched her eyes. “More than you know.”

Welcome relief flowed over her, but another kind of loss tugged at her emotions. “I’m so sorry I’ve thrown cold water on this…this…”

He grinned. “This…what?”

“This night. The most thrilling kiss of my life,” she admitted with a sheepish shrug. A shiver shot through her at the mere memory.

“Mmm…” He traced the edge of her ear with a warm thumb. “Well worth the wait.”

She offered a shy smile. “And anything worth having is worth waiting for?”

“You bet it is.” His steady gaze, filled with mischief, locked with hers. “Especially that little redheaded girl who caught my eye when we were just kids.”

Instantly, in one easy movement, he lifted her into his arms. Jessie gasped in sheer surprise, grabbing for his neck as her feet left the floor. “What are you doing?”

“Sweeping you off your feet,” he said, suddenly quiet. “Something I should have done a long time ago.”