As he leaned over, kissing her ever so lightly on the lips he noticed out the corner of his eye movement. Excitement overcame him as he realized the tiny life in her womb was a part of him. Slowly he placed a large hand on Summer’s belly as if she were a precious porcelain doll
that might break if mishandled. The moment he made contact with her belly the fetus moved
again under his touch. Amazing, was the word that came to his mind.
Summer was always in tune with the baby’s movement. Even in her sleep, especially when the baby was extra active like now. However, there was another sensation she never experienced before, some sort of external pressure.
Twisting and stretching her limbs, she opened her eyes to investigate this new heavy sensation. Summer was not prepared for what met her; a set of dark, penetrating eyes. Immediate panic set in as she remembered how angry he’d been with her. Fear seized her as tears formed in her eyes. She wanted to scream, but couldn’t because her throat suddenly froze up.
Summer shoved Nick’s hand off her belly as she struggled to get away from him. She curled up in a ball in an attempt to shield herself and her unborn child; the dam broke, releasing a flood. When Nick reached out to her, she recoiled at his touch. He was greeted by the same response with his second attempt. In total disbelief, he reached for her again. This time her resistance was verbal. In a broken sob she pleaded, “Pleeease Nick, pleeease don’t hurt me. I’m…I’m sorry.”
Nick’s heart felt like it was being ripped from his chest. She actually believes I would physically hurt her. Wanting and needing to console her he inched closer to her.
“Nooooooo.” She cried as she scrambled to get away, but had no place to go; she was trapped between Nick’s massive body and the headboard.
Nick’s voice was soothing as he coaxed, “Summer, baby, I’m not going to hurt you.” Inching closer he added, “I just want to hold you that’s all. I promise I won’t hurt you.” His large hand slightly shook as he offered it to her.
Summer refused his hand until he gave her some reassurances. “Or the baby?” She questioned in a whisper as she wiped her face with the back of her hand.
Gently, he grasped Summer’s tiny hand and pulled her on his lap. Next he wrapped his arms around her in an embrace as he kissed her forehead. “No, Summer, I won’t hurt the baby.”
Tears flowed as her rigid body sat stiffly in his lap. Nick wiped away tears as they fell with the pad of his thumb. Repeatedly he assured her he would never harm her or the baby. The more he did this; her body relaxed as her heart rate returned to normal.
From pure mental exhaustion, Summer’s body slumped against his chest, allowing herself to be comforted by his words.
Sensing she’d calmed down, Nick let out a breath he’d been holding.
With the rhythmic movement of Nick’s solid chest Summer turned to putty in his arms. Closing her eyes, she remembered the last time he held her all night long. The pleasant memory caused her to unwind further, mindlessly shifting her hips in a position allowing her to snuggle closer.
The tight muscles in his shoulders unknotted as Summer’s anxieties faded away. He knew he could be a ruthless, even an intimidating force when he wanted to. However, he never intended to release his wrath on Summer the way he had. Now because his temper had gotten the
best of him, of their delicate situation, she was absolutely terrified. Even though he was pissed, he never wanted this. He never wanted to see the pure look of fear and terror on her face.
I need to fix this. Summer had to know that no matter what, he would never raise a hand to hurt her or their unborn child.
Again she shifted and nestled her face against the base of his throat. His masculine scent was like a drug she couldn’t get enough of as her nose brushed against his Adam’s apple.
The closeness was so sweet; this was his chance to set things on a right course. Finally all of her defenses were down. The slow rhythmic breathing of her chest and her steady even heartbeat were all signs she felt safe again.
“Summer?”
“Hmm.”
“You sleep?”
“No, I’m just resting my eyes.” She whispered in a drowsy voice.
Nick softly chuckled. She always said that when fighting sleep.
“Summer, I’m sorry for hurting you.”
“Hurting me?”
“When I grabbed you and picked you up earlier.” Nick’s voice was strained from the disgust he felt for himself. He still could not believe he’d done such a stupid thing.
Sitting up in his lap, she leaned back to get a better look at him through heavy eyes. “You didn’t hurt me, you just scared me. You were so angry. I thought you were going to …” Summer’s words trailed off as she laid her head back down on his chest. She could not bring herself to tell him she was afraid that things might have gotten violent, that he might have hit her.