Page 36 of A Chance to Believe

He tossed the box onto the small table by the door. ‘I didn’t give her a chance.’

‘I’d rather you spoke to her. What she said was in confidence.’

* * *

Shayne shifted gears in his head. He’d gone off half-cocked without finding out the truth. Now the fear-driven anger was dissipating he had time to take stock.

Cassie was dressed in a skimpy t-shirt that barely covered her bump and displayed the full length of her long, elegant legs. They still looked great, lean with enough toned muscle to make them shapely and no obvious sign of swollen ankles. He dragged his attention up to her face, surrounded by her fluffy curls left loose for sleeping, pushing down the memories and telling his unruly body to settle. She’d co-opted one of his t-shirts during their time together, which explained how it was left behind.

‘I disturbed you. I should go.’

‘I was heading for bed.’ She waved a hand in that direction.

Maybe not the reminder he needed. ‘I’ll leave you to it. Maybe we could talk tomorrow.’

‘It’s fine.’ She winced and her hand went to her belly.

Anxiety did the job his will couldn’t, dampening his lust. ‘Are you okay?’

‘The babies are kicking.’

He looked at her belly and detected a faint ripple under the shirt. A surge of something possessive gave him courage. ‘Can I feel them?’

Her eyes widened, but she nodded. ‘If you like.’

Stepping across the room, he paused in front of her. ‘You really don’t mind?’

‘I understand it’s pretty normal for dads to want to make contact.’

‘First contact. Like with aliens?’

She shifted her hand, letting it hang, and he placed both palms high on her belly. The fabric shifted under his seeking hands and he stilled, waiting. A soft tickle under his fingers gave him the position, and he stiffened, focusing his concentration. It came again and without thought, he dragged up the shirt and replaced his hand on her bare skin. It came stronger then, a double thump. His heart seemed to echo the movement, tightening in his chest. ‘Is that hands or feet?’

There was a strip of colour on her cheekbones. It took a moment to realise it was his lifting of her shirt. ‘I’m sorry. I should have asked.’

‘It’s not like you haven’t seen everything before.’

He rubbed his palms over the distended belly. ‘I haven’t seen this.’

‘No.’ The colour flared darker, spreading down her throat.

‘May I touch?’

‘You might as well finish what you started.’

Shayne tried not to think about her words as he repositioned his hands. The double tap wasn’t strong, but it was there. ‘How are they positioned?’

‘I think it’s feet up there. The last scan showed one twin with its head down and the other with feet down.’

He slid one hand lower. ‘Is it moving too?’

‘A little.’ She shifted uneasily.

‘Dammit. I’m keeping you on your feet when you need to be resting.’ He pulled both hands away and smoothed her t-shirt down. ‘I’ll let you get to bed.’

‘If I lie down, you could try again. They’re still very active.’

His throat closed over and he swallowed to clear the blockage. ‘Thank you. I’d like that.’

---