Page 95 of Texas Glory
“You didn’t even have sense enough to wear shoes while walking over these cold stone floors?” he asked as he knelt before her and planted her heels on his thighs. “Your feet are like ice.”
She shoved the balls of her feet against his chest and sent him sprawling over the floor.
“They’re fine,” she said.
He narrowed his eyes and slowly, deliberately came to his full height. “Get under those blankets and get under them now,” he said in a low even voice.
She opened her mouth as though to protest. When he took a menacing step toward the bed, she snapped her mouth closed and scrambled under the blankets. He jerked his shirt over his head.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
He dropped to the edge of the bed and yanked off his boots. “I’m gonna warm your feet.”
Standing, he pulled off his trousers before slipping into her bed with one quick fluid movement. “Put your feet between my thighs.”
Her eyes widened. “But they’re freezing.”
“I know that. Now, do it, dammit!” She pressed her lips together and shoved her feet between his bare thighs. He sucked in a deep breath between his teeth.
“Is that what you wanted?” she asked, glaring at him.
“No, but I want you warm,” he answered, glaring back.
Tears welled in her eyes, and she averted her gaze. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this when I told you. We were supposed to be happy.”
Cradling her cheek, he gently guided her gaze back to his. “I am happy, Dee. Happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”
She placed her hand on his chest and he jumped.
“Sweet Lord! Even your hand is cold.” He took her other hand and pressed her palms against his chest, laying his hands over hers. “How can you be so cold?”
“You were outside. How can you be so warm?” she asked.
“I’ve got more meat on my bones.”
She ran her tongue along her lower lip. “I’m sorry that I shoved you before—in your office and in here. I don’t know what came over me—”
“It doesn’t matter. I want a son, Dee, more than I’ve ever wanted anything.”
“I know. I want to give you this child. I hope he’ll look like you.”
He touched her cheek. “I never gave any thought to what he might look like. I reckon he’ll have no choice but to have black hair and brown eyes.”
“He’ll be tall,” she said.
“Slender.”
She nodded slightly and gave him a soft smile. “It’ll be a while before he has a mustache.”
“I reckon it will be at that.” His thumb drifted back and forth over her cheek. “I know you don’t want my gratitude, and I know you’re not helpless, but I want to take care of you while you’re carrying my son.”
She didn’t protest when he reached down, fisted his hand around the hem of her gown, and slowly lifted it over her head. She didn’t move when he pressed his mouth against her stomach.
“Our son is growing here,” he said in awe, wondering why he had ever thought he would be content to let just any woman bring his son into the world, why he hadn’t realized that he needed a woman he could respect and cherish, a woman like Dee.
She threaded her fingers through his hair. He swallowed the lump in his throat and peered up at her. “I’m glad you’ll be his mother.”
Fresh tears shimmered within her eyes. Easing up, he kissed her as gently as he knew how. Then he drew back and smiled at her. “Your nose is cold. I might have to sleep in here just to keep you warm.”
