"You don't need to," I whisper, my eyes falling to his lips then back to his tired eyes. "I don't want you to feel obligated to."
I can feel his heart starting to speed up under my palm on his chest, his pupils dilating. "I want to," he whispers back, gulping. "Kade and Luciella are the names you said you liked?" I nod at him, remembering telling him in the hospital my favourites if there's one of each. "Well, together, we will give them an awesome life, right?"
I lean forward, my hands gliding up his hard, tattooed chest and into his hair, my nose against his, waiting for his reaction. "I miss you," I sigh, hooking my leg around his frozen form, his eyes searching my face. "I really miss you."
As soon as his hand rests on my hip, I give in and press my lips against his, enjoying the millisecond of closeness before Ewan pulls away, his touch leaving my body. Dread fills me as I watch him, his brows furrowed with a dumbfounded look. "You can't do that, Aria. You can't seek me out for comfort."
Hurt and completely embarrassed, I stand from the couch, pulling my shirt down to cover my panties.
"I thought..." I trail off looking at the wall above him as I chew on my lip. "I'm going to bed."
Before I can walk away, Ewan sits up and grabs my hand, staring at me as he runs his thumb over my skin, sending shocks through me. "You know if we kiss, it won't end there. I just can't, Aria."
"I get it." Against my attempts to stop it, a sob falls from my lips, making him cock a brow and pull me between his legs, his hands on my hips.
“Why are you crying?”
“I’m pregnant and sad and lost and I miss you.” I sniff and look away. “You don’t want me anymore.”
At risk of sounding manipulative, I can’t look at him. I’m selfish. I’m being so selfish. He wipes the tears sliding down my cheek with his thumb and gives me a warm smile when I eventually meet his gaze.
"I still think you're the most beautiful person in this world, and being pregnant just amplifies it. I just think it will mean a lot to me and nothing to you."
"It isn't like that," I reply. "I just..." I trail off once more, feeling a pressure in my chest. "I don't know."
"You can't kiss me then hop into bed with Tobias when and if he ever shows up." He shakes his head, running an inked hand down his face. "I want you to be sure before you do something like that. Okay?"
"Yeah," I muster a reply, my throat dry, eyes watering. “Can we go somewhere? The three of us? I need to leave town, and I want to be with you.”
“I have leave for the next two weeks. I’m sure I can work something out with Jason’s school to do work at home. Where do you want to go?”
“The caravan?”
He smiles, a glint in his eyes. “I forgot we had that. Fine. We’ll go tomorrow.”
Relief fills me, and I lower my head so hide the tears that keep coming.
"Can you...can you lie in bed with me? I don't want to be alone."
He smiles warmly, nodding, lacing our fingers as he walks us to my bedroom. I climb under the duvet, waiting for him to get in before resting my head on his chest. It feels safe, being here with him. I miss Ewan, miss the way things used to be.
Running my fingers up his arm, I trace his thick veins before settling my palm on his chest, snuggling into him. He presses his lips to my forehead, an act that has me blushing as his chin rests on my head. "Goodnight, Aria."
I grin, hiking my leg over him and feeling myself breathe as he holds me in place. "Goodnight."
I struggled to sleep before, but now, I easily fall into a dream. For the first time in weeks, I don't wake through the night. Instead, I’m met with Ewan's morning wood, causing him to run for a cold shower.
Chapter 44
Aria
Jason is excited we’re on a family trip. He has talked the entire way about what we’ll be doing. Board games, movies, walks along the beach. Three hours of driving, and we reach the caravan site.
Ewan unloads the car while I unlock the door, Jason running into his bedroom. It’s huge for being a caravan–a sitting room, kitchen area, dining corner, a small bathroom, and three good-sized bedrooms.
Once we’re settled, I drop onto the sofa.
"Can we play this?" Jason asks, holding up the game called Frustration. "I want to be red."