Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
All he could think of was how grateful he was that she’d gone out of her way to include him in the smallest parts of the journey.
She waited for him to stand up and join her before revealing the plastic device for them both to look at together.
Two bright pink lines stood out, and Skye gasped in shock. “Oh, my God. It’s positive,” she said, laughing happily as her eyes shimmered with tears. “We did it. I’m pregnant.” She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him, and he pulled her tight and close, absorbing her ecstatic response and unfiltered joy.
He, too, was filled with wonder and awe that they’d created a baby together. Shock and disbelief that he was going to be a father. But mixed in with all that happiness was a fierce, overwhelming protectiveness toward Skye and their unborn child. Right after came the thought that he would lay down his own life to ensure their wellbeing.
Despite them not being married, she and the baby were his to care for. His to keep safe, because mother and child were explicably intertwined in his heart—even if Skye didn’t want them to be. And he resented the fact that his moment was tempered by her fucking ex-husband and he hated that he was going to have to burst Skye’s jubilant bubble, too.
She finally released him from her hug, a wide, brilliant smile on her flushed face. “I know we’re seeing your family this weekend for Whitney’s memorial, but I don’t want to say anything until we’ve had a chance to visit a doctor and confirm everything is good.”
“I’m fine with that,” he said, and noticed how she absently rubbed a hand along her black yoga pants, over her still flat stomach. Suddenly, a slight frown creased her brow.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I’ve been queasy throughout the day and wasn’t sure if it was pregnancy related,” she admitted, and wrinkled her nose in that adorable way of hers. “But I know I should eat something, too.”
He headed into her small kitchen area and opened up the refrigerator, scanning the contents. “How about I make you something that will be easy on your stomach, like some scrambled eggs and toast and some fruit?”
“Yeah, that sounds good, thanks.”
While she sat at the table, he whipped up a plate of food for each of them, essentially making breakfast for dinner. After they finished eating, she leaned back in her chair, smiling and looking so happy and content, her hand once again over her abdomen, as if she was already protecting the little life growing inside. But Tripp knew he couldn’t put off the inevitable any longer. He had to tell her the truth.
“Skye . . . something happened today. Right before I arrived at your apartment,” he said, meeting and holding her gaze. “I didn’t want to take away from the big moment, but now it can’t wait.”
That blissful smile she’d been wearing all through their meal fell away, replaced by a wary look in her eyes. “Okay.”
He exhaled a breath and explained about the sedan, and the fact that this had been the third time he’d been followed to her place by the same vehicle and sunglasses wearing driver. And how today things had escalated to aggressive and threatening.
She leaned forward and met his gaze, remaining silent so he couldn’t know what she was thinking. If she’d made the same connection he had.
“I think it’s your ex behind the stalking,” he said, because the actions were exactly that—harassment and intimidation, meant to make Tripp feel threatened. No doubt, Jack resented Tripp’s relationship with the woman he still considered his.
“But Jack lives and works in Boston,” Skye said, clearly trying to explain away Tripp’s theory because to believe it would mean her worst fears were coming true. “Why would he bother to harass you of all people?” she asked.
Because despite everything, a psychopath like your ex still wants you for himself.
But Tripp wouldn’t say it that way. Reaching out, he clasped Skye’s free hand, seeking both the connection he needed and to reassure her.
The truth was Jack’s attempt to frighten Tripp had worked. Not because he was concerned for himself, but her ex’s sole interest would be in Skye. To get to her, he needed Tripp out of the way before making a move on a defenseless woman. What the asshole didn’t know or take into consideration was the fact that Tripp wouldn’t be run off.
Even though his thoughts were all speculation, Tripp trusted his gut.
“Boston isn’t that far,” he reminded her, easing into the hard truths. “If it is Jack, he’s probably trying to warn me away from you.”
She yanked her hand free. “But—”
“Listen to me,” he said, his voice more serious than it had ever been. “You have no idea what he’s done in the past year since you moved to New York. Where he’s working or even where he’s living.”