“Vike.” She suddenly snaps out of it, whispering my name so sweetly, then grabbing hold of my shoulders and clinging to me tight.
“You were just dreamin’,” I whisper, stroking her sticky hair with my hand. She looks up at me and instantly drags me down to her lips, kissing me fiercely and clinging to me like she’s scared the world is gonna throw her off. This time, I don’t pull away. This time, I kiss her the way I should have done before. The way I’ve been wanting to for so fuckin’ long.
“Please, don’t leave me,” she whispers against my lips, her nails digging into the bare skin on my shoulders, desperately.
“I’m not leaving,” I promise, wiping the damp hair off her cheeks and cradling her face in one of my hands.
“I like it when you touch me.” She smiles before kissing me again, and when she takes hold of my wrist and guides the hand I have on her face down to rest on her stomach, I do nothing to stop her. “She likes it too,” she tells me. “We both need you so much, Vike. Please, stop being so distant.” She pulls her head away from mine, and when I see that she’s crying, I know there's nothing I wouldn’t do to fix it.
“I’m sorry.” I roll my palm over her round belly until her breathing calms and her eyes close peacefully. She’s sound asleep again; her nightmare is over, and this should be my cue to leave.
Staying here, being this close, is all such a temptation. Kissing her sure didn’t feel wrong. It felt like the only fuckin’ right thing I’ve done in a real long time. I can’t think about what Saul would think right here in this moment. I promised Alicia I’d stay, and stay is exactly what I’m gonna do. Carefully, I get off the bed, lift the covers, and slide under them beside her. Resting my palm back on her tummy, I make more of those soothing circles over her skin, knowing that it's giving her comfort by the adorable hums she’s making in her sleep.
“Thank you, Vike,” she whispers, tucking her head into my chest and curling her body into mine.
“Anytime, darlin',” I answer, kissing the top of her head and taking a long, relieved breath of my own. “Anytime.”
“Morning, sleepy head.” Vike is wearing a huge grin on his face when I step into the kitchen, feeling nothing but shame. “I made ya some eggs.” He steps up to the table, carrying a plate of scrambled eggs, and places it in front of the chair I usually sit in. “I hope you're both hungry.” He pulls out the chair for me, and I sit, wanting the floor to swallow me up, but relieved that he’s not still trying to avoid me.
“I’m sorry about last night. I haven’t had a nightmare like that in a long time.” I pick up my fork and start to eat, worried about how this conversation is going to go.
“Wanna talk about it?” he asks sympathetically, and I quickly shake my head and close my eyes. I don’t know what triggered me to go back there last night, but I sure as hell don’t wanna go there again. Idefinitelydon’t want Vike to know about it.
I can’t stop looking at his lips, remembering the way they kissed me. I can’t believe I put myself out there like that again, and of course, there’s every chance he kissed me back out of sympathy. I should never have put him in that situation again.
“Thanks for taking care of me.” I concentrate on my breakfast before I make another stupid move.
“I’m glad I could help.” He sits beside me with a plate of his own and pours me an orange juice.
“Now, about that kiss–-”
“Morning.” The door opens, interrupting him, and when Greaser steps inside, I see the sinking look Vike makes. “What ya still doing in your PJs? I told ya I’d be here by nine.” Greaser looks me up and down.
“Oh, shoot, I forgot.” I quickly finish my juice and stand up, actually relieved that I have an escape from all the humiliation.
“I’m taking her crib and stroller shopping,” Greaser informs Vike, as I rush to my room to get myself ready.
The men are standing in cold silence, staring at each other across the table, when I return to them.
“I thought we could visit Mom tomorrow; she’s been asking about you,” Greaser tells me as I smile awkwardly at Vike and make my way toward the door.
“Sure,” I tell Greaser, forgetting that he’s in the room, never mind what he said when Vike holds me with a glare that feels so different. He’s not avoiding me, now, he wants me to know that I have his full attention.
“Alicia.” Greaser sounds concerned as he steps toward me.
“Right, shopping.” I shake myself out of the trance he’s got me in and start searching around for my purse. Vike suddenly appears in front of me, holding it in his hand and staring at me with those sexy, sultry eyes.
“We’re talking when you get back.” The command in his voice causes a flutter in my stomach that definitely isnotthe baby moving. I nod as I let Greaser lead me out the door.
“To think that guy used to be fun,” he says under his breath, shaking his head as we walk down the path. When we get to his car, he opens the door for me, and once I’m sitting in the passenger seat, I look back toward the house and see Vike still watching, his eyes wild, his jaw clenched, and his hands balled into fists at his side.
“You didn’t have to buy the most expensive crib in the store,” I tell Greaser, as he drags the huge box down the hall into the nursery.
“Only the best for little Iris.” He pats my tummy proudly.
“Iris?” I laugh nervously.
“It’s my mom's name. I thought you knew that,” he tells me, tearing open the box and starting to take out all the parts, ready to assemble.
