Carrying the Lost Heir's Child(86)

                Standing just outside her door, he pondered for a minute if he should wait until morning. She was supposed to rest, after all, but he couldn’t. He’d given her space and it was time she realized just how serious he was about winning her back.

                Tapping on the door with the back of his knuckles, Jake swallowed and tried to ignore his frantic heartbeat. Nerves consumed him, but being a coward now would certainly secure a future without the woman and child he loved.

                The knob rattled just as the door eased open. Lily stood before him, her hair spilled over one shoulder, her eyes wide. Apparently she’d been just as restless as he had. A small light glowed from the table lamp beside her bed.

                “Can I come in?” he asked. When she said nothing, he added, “I have some things I need to say.”

                He worried she would slam the door in his face, a definite right she had, but she opened the door a bit wider and he realized her slamming the door would’ve been a blessing. Now his penance was having this conversation while seeing her dressed in a silky chemise, the same one he’d slid off her body many times before.

                Only this time, her belly rounded out the midsection and her full breasts threatened to come out of the lacy top.

                He glanced to the unmade bed, the sheets all twisted in the middle. “I’m sorry if you were sleeping.”

                Lily shook her head as she sat on the edge of the bed. “I wasn’t asleep.”

                Jake remained by the door because if he even took one more step into this room he wouldn’t be able to keep from touching her. Between her tousled appearance and the inviting bed that mocked him, he seriously deserved a damn award in self-control.

                But he was here to lay it all on the line. Never before had he done anything so important and so terrifying.

                “Damon came by the other day,” he began, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “We’ve come to an agreement to work on our relationship.”

                Lily rested her hands next to her hips. “I know. I was coming down the stairs when he arrived. I listened for a few minutes, but came back upstairs. I’m sorry I eavesdropped. I couldn’t make myself leave until I knew what he wanted.”

                Jake smiled. “It’s okay. He said the girls were upset, but they understood my angle and they wanted to get to know their only brother. Damon actually invited me over this weekend for dinner.”

                Lily’s smile hit on every nerve Jake had. He missed that smile, missed the light in her eyes...a light he’d diminished and was desperately trying to get back. He didn’t just want that brightness back for only himself, but for her. He wanted her to be that vibrant woman he’d fallen in love with, the stunning light he’d met months ago.

                “I’m really happy for you, Jake.”

                “He asked if you’d be joining me.”

                Lily’s eyes widened before her gaze darted down into her lap. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

                “I told him I was giving you time to make your own decisions,” he went on, not letting her refusal deter him from his goal. “I hadn’t planned on telling you about his visit because I didn’t want you to think I was trying to sway your decisions.”

                Her dark eyes came back up to his. “And aren’t you?”

                “Not by telling you his choice to give me another chance.” Jake pulled his hands from his pockets, massaged the back of his neck and took a deep breath. “I’ve time, Lily. I told you to stay for a week and I’ve truly tried to keep my distance. Knowing you’re here, within my reach, has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced.”