“It would be safer that way. Less eyes on us.” My thumb stroked the soft skin of her face, trying to reassure her.
She removed her hand from my cheek and looked at me, her gaze sharp. On alert. I took both her hands in mine and squeezed them gently. “Don’t worry. You can still stay here. I’ll take care of you. I’ll take care of everything,” I said adamantly. “And no, I don’t think you’re a gold-digger,” I added quickly.
She frowned slightly. “I don’t know…” she said.
“I just think it would spare us more speculation. Stop the rumors.”
“And not ruin your image…” she said, raising an auburn brow.
“That too,” I admitted sheepishly. “It’s more than that, though. I want to protect us.This.” I looked down at our bodies still intertwined in the very same spot we first came together.
“I’m not sure about this, Jeremiah,” she said speculatively.
“Please. Just think about it.”
“Yeah. I’ll think about it.” She settled back against my chest and we sat in silence as the sun dipped below the city’s horizon.
Chapter 43
Sadie
“Where are you off to?” asked Jeremiah with an easy smile. He still lay in bed, his chiseled chest bare as he rested against the cloud-like pillows propped against the headboard. I tried not to get distracted by just how good he looked with bedhead and a sleepy grin. It was nearly 11 a.m., but we had slept in. Even so, it was hard to get out of the cool sheets and his warm embrace, a comforting juxtaposition.
I looked at him through the large mirror propped against the wall. One we had utilized the past two nights as he took me in whatever way he pleased, and I to him. I had been sleeping in his room more and more. It was a convenient comfort I was getting used to.
“Meeting Erica at the park,” I said as I fixed the back of my earring. “We’re having a little picnic.”
“Mmm,” he said with a nod as he pulled himself to sit up. He winced slightly.
“Are you okay?” I asked, rushing to his side.
He waved me off. “I’m fine. Just a little sore.”
“Well, don’t get up. Stay,” I said, sitting on the edge of the bed and putting my hand on his chest. He settled back into the pillows.
His lip was healing, but the scab from his busted lip was a dried gash. His face bruised. He had taken yesterday off work to avoid any questions about his appearance after his fight with Anderson in the park. I told the office I was working from home so I could tend to his wounds.
“You’ll be careful?” he asked, his brows raised in worry.
“Of course,” I said. “I don’t think Anderson will be messing with me anytime soon. He’s probably still licking his wounds.”
“I wouldn’t mind if you stayed and licked mine,” he said with a sly smile.
I laughed. “You need to rest.”
“That’s not what you said last night.”
I bit my lip and shook my head. He was relentless. It was a wonder I could keep up with him. I thanked the pregnancy hormones. And how sexy he was.
I watched as his eyes fell to my mouth and darkened. I knew exactly what he was thinking and it sent a thrill through me.
“Don’t even think about it,” I said sharply. “I’ll be late.”
He groaned dramatically.
“Just stay in bed. I’ll be back before you know it to ‘tend’ to your wounds.” I put my fingers up in air quotations.
“Fiiiine.” He sighed.
