The whir of a sander drifted through the open door. I stopped in the doorway. Roarke stood shirtless despite the chill, bent over the workbench. Sawdust clung to his skin, the light catching the flex of his shoulders as he sanded a curved piece of wood. A crib rail.
My heart skipped a beat. Five years in, and he could still do this to me.
He must’ve heard me, because the sander went quiet. He turned, that slow smile spreading across his face.
“Thought you were resting.”
“House was too quiet.” I stepped inside, breathing in wood shavings and varnish and him. “You’ve been out here for hours.”
“Wanted to finish the rails today.” He wiped his hands on a rag, his eyes sweeping over me. “You okay? The baby?”
“We’re fine.” I rested a hand on my belly. “She’s been kicking all morning.”
He crossed to me in three strides, his palm warm against the curve of me. We waited—and right on cue, she kicked.
His expression softened completely. “Strong girl.”
“Like her sister.”
He kissed me, slow and tender. When he pulled back, his eyes had gone dark.
“Leilani’s not back until noon?”
“Peyton’s keeping her for lunch.”
“Good.”
His hands slid to my hips, heat blooming low in my belly—then I tensed. “Roarke…”
“What’s wrong?”
I glanced down at myself. The stretched shirt. The swollen curves. The body so different from the one he’d first undressed five years ago.
“I’m huge,” I admitted. “I know you say you still want me, but?—”
“Hey.” He tipped my chin up. “You’re carrying my daughter. You’ve never been more beautiful.”
“You have to say that.”
“I really don’t.” He pressed my hand to the front of his jeans, already hard. “Does that feel like I’m just being nice?”
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
“I want you,” he said roughly. “Every day. You’re mine, Josie—and I’ll spend my life proving it.”
His mouth claimed mine again, hungrier now, his hands finding the hem of my shirt.
“Here?” I breathed.
“Here.” He backed me into the workbench. “I’ve been thinking about this for weeks.”
“The door’s open.”
“No one for miles.” His teeth grazed my ear. “But I can close it.”
I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed his belt and pulled him closer. “Leave it open.”
His groan vibrated against my throat. “That’s my girl.”
