Page 109 of The Hotel Room

Noah glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, his expression conflicted. James could see the battle playing out behind his son’s eyes—anger, hurt, disappointment, and maybe, just maybe, a sliver of understanding.

“I guess it’s not that simple, huh?” Noah muttered.

James shook his head. “No,” he said softly. “It’s not.”

Before either of them could say more, Lily came bounding back toward them, a rainbow-sprinkled cone in her hand and a big smile on her face. “Look! Isn’t it pretty?”

James smiled at her, the heaviness in his chest easing just a little. “It’s perfect, Lils.”

She grinned and took a big lick, her nose crinkling as she looked between her dad and brother. “Why are you guys so serious?”

James shook his head, ruffling her hair lightly. “Just guy stuff,” he said lightly.

Noah gave a small, reluctant smile, his shoulders relaxing just slightly.

As they walked back toward the car, James felt the weight of Noah’s gaze lingering on him. It wasn’t forgiveness. Not yet. But it was something. A crack in the wall.

It was a start.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Kate

The bed was warm, the kind of warm that lured her body into stillness even when her mind refused to follow. Kate lay on her side, one hand supporting the small but noticeable curve of her belly, the other tucked under her pillow. The sheets were soft against her skin, and behind her, James’s body molded perfectly to hers, his arm resting lightly over her waist.

He shifted slightly, pressing closer as his hand adjusted to cradle the curve of her belly. His touch was gentle but grounding, the way it had been every night since they’d started sharing the bed again.

“Comfortable?” he murmured against her hair.

“Mm-hmm,” Kate murmured back, though the ache in her lower back told her otherwise. Still, his warmth was enough to dull the worst of it.

They settled into the quiet rhythm of each other’s breathing, and Kate felt her eyelids grow heavier. Her eyes snapped open as she registered the firm, unmistakable press of his erection against her lower back.

She stiffened slightly, unsure of how to react. After everything—everything—they’d been through, it surprised her that he could even...wanther like that.

“James,” she said quietly, not moving.

“Hmm?” His voice was soft, half-asleep.

“Are you...?” She hesitated, her cheeks burning. “Is that...?”

There was a pause before he exhaled deeply. “Ignore it,” he muttered, his voice rough with embarrassment.

Kate turned her head just enough to glance back at him. “James,” she said again, a little more firmly.

“It’s nothing,” he insisted, his hand shifting slightly on her belly. “Just...you know. Ignore it.”

She frowned, still baffled. “How can you...I mean, look at me. I’m four months pregnant, James. This—” she gestured vaguely at herself, “—is not exactly sexy.”

James pulled back just enough to tilt her face toward him, his hand gentle but firm. His dark eyes met hers, warm and unwavering.

“You’re wrong,” he said simply, his voice low and steady.

Kate blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

“You’re wrong,” he repeated. His hand slid from her face to rest lightly on her shoulder, his thumb brushing against her collarbone. “You think you’re not sexy? Because you’re carrying my child? That’s the sexiest thing in the world to me, Kate.”

Her lips parted in surprise, but he wasn’t finished.

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