"Kinsley, will you dance with me?"
Pulling my gaze from the cake, I focused on Burke. "Huh?"
"Dance with me?"
"Oh."
Accepting his hand and letting him attempt to pull me close, I rolled my eyes when someone turned on a stereo. He didn't even have to ask for what he wanted.
"I really, really want to feel my son," he said softly, looking down at my face.
My first reaction was to suck in a deep breath at the proximity of his gorgeous face. Then, it occurred to me he'd never asked before if he could touch my belly, and I'd taken it as a sign he didn't want to. "You do?"
"Yes, very much."
I wished I could rest my head on his shoulder and pretend we were the same people we’d been in Chester. "I didn't know that."
We swayed slowly to classical music, and I was moved. His touch was tender, gentle, and all my old feelings came rushing back to me. My belly forced a distance between us I no longer wanted.
"Why don't we sit on the couch so you can feel him?" I murmured.
Sitting next to him with his hands on my stomach, I felt like his wife through more than simply sharing his name. He talked to my belly, he ran his hands over it, and I felt the responding bumps as the baby kicked. Nothing but pure awe showed on his face, and I realized our animosity had deprived him of something special. After a few minutes, he kissed my belly and straightened.
"Thank you, Kinsley."
"You can do that any time, Burke. You've never asked, and I didn't realize . . ."
He stared at me. "I want one more thing. It is our wedding day, after all."
I swallowed. "What is it?"
Instead of responding verbally, he leaned in and touched his lips to mine. It was nowhere as passionate as our previous kisses, but it was pleasant. It sent a few tingles down to my toes, and for a few brief moments, I wished we could consummate our marriage in the genuine sense.
But then he pulled away and let his mouth get ahead of his brain. "You've gotten huge."
"Excuse me?"
"Your belly has gotten big. He's due soon, and I want you to know I'll always protect him. Nothing in the world is more important to me than he is. Teaghlach gach rud. Family is everything."
Flopping back on the couch, I asked, "Which family are you referring to? Your family, or your Family?"
He groaned. "Don't start, Kinsley. I'm trying to have a nice moment with you."
"By insulting me and reminding me for the thousandth time that you don't want me, only the baby I happen to be carrying?" Pushing on the arm of the couch, I tried my damndest to get up. He just had to remind me the only reason I was here was because of the baby I’d tried to keep a secret. All it took was one wrong move, and we’d both be in danger.
"I never said—"
"You've repeatedly said."
Burke pulled on my arm to keep me in place. "Why do I even bother with you? I thought you were sweet and kind-hearted."
"You mean you thought I was a pushover." Wrenching my arm out of his grasp, I resumed my efforts to bolt.
"Stop trying to run off," he demanded.
Incensed at his tone, I struggled harder. "There's no reason to stay here and subject myself to your criticism of every little thing I do."
"That's your perspective, not mine."
