Hold Me Tight(29)

The tip stops right under his throat, and I gasp, realizing just how close I came to cutting him. I do everything I can to hide my surprise, not wanting him to see how startled I am. He’s definitely better at these kinds of things than I am. My klutzy side always manages to rear its ugly head at the most inopportune times.

But I’m not fooling him. He cautiously takes the blade from my shaking hand and places it on the bedside table. I feel like a complete idiot until he guides my hands back onto his chest, urging me to finish what I started. His t-shirt is split in half, hanging open, practically inviting me to remove it from his chiseled body.

“I guess I deserved that,” he chuckles. “After destroying half your wardrobe.”

I make quick work of what remains of the shirt, easily freeing his arms as it comes apart in my hands. His gleaming pecs are all that fill my vision as I grip his broad shoulders, drinking in every inch of him. But it’s not enough. I want to see all of him.

As I scoot down his body, he flinches when I start again on his belt. I look up at him, puzzled, and he shifts on the bed when my fingers reach the zipper. I’m so close. Why is he tensing up now?

“Ivy, I think you should keep my pants on,” he says, running a hand across his forehead.

“Whatever for?” I ask, getting mad.

“If I get as naked as you are, I’m not going to be able to stop,” he groans, reaching down to rezip his fly, batting my hand away.

“Eric, c’mon. You can’t be serious,” I retort guiltily. “I won’t let it get that far. I promise. I just wanna—”

“It’s not gonna happen, Ivy. So don’t even think about it,” Eric exclaims, sitting up. “Whenever we fool around from now on, one of us needs to keep our clothes on—or at least some of them,” he restates, glancing at his shredded t-shirt. “It’s too tempting. You know how things get between us. We’ll get carried away. We’ll forget. And I’m not putting you in any more danger than you’re already in.”

“I still think you’re making too big a deal out of this,” I pout, sticking out my bottom lip.

“I’d rather err on the side of caution if it’s all right with you.” He tries to console me by kissing the top of my head, but it’s not enough.

“Well, if that’s how this is going to work, I’ll get dressed and you can be naked instead.” I glance at him, a glint in my eyes.

Before he even has a chance to ponder my suggestion, he’s on top of me, pressing my back into the mattress.

“I’d rather look at you for a little while longer if you don’t mind,” he teases, his hands traveling down my body, caressing my skin.

I’m powerless to withstand his attempts to seduce me. He knows exactly what to do and where to do it. I dig my heels into the bed, delighting in his touch.

“Besides, I think making out with my girlfriend can be pretty darn hot,” he breathes against my mouth after exploring every inch of me with his hands.

“You better believe it,” I respond, kissing him passionately as we roll in the sheets, not even bothering to come up for air.





Chapter Twelve

Eric

I’m so ready for this. Today’s the day.

Carefully, I pull the blanket away from Ivy’s body and place my grandmother’s ring on her stomach. When she wakes up, I want it to be the first thing she sees when she opens her eyes. I watch the sunlight stream in from above as it reflects off the gold band, giving it a warm glow. It’s like my grandma is smiling down at me from heaven, giving me her blessing.

I already screwed this up once so I’m determined to do things right. Last time, I was an idiot, jumping the gun like that. But when Ivy left, I came to realize that every second I spend with her is special. One doesn’t stand out from the rest. Just being around her makes me happy. I don’t need a fancy location or flowery words to let her know how much she means to me. I told her that I love our child just as much as I love her. That’s all she needed to hear. The truth.

I can’t keep putting it off, thinking that some perfect moment will magically present itself. I’ve been building it up in my mind, putting pressure on something that should be as easy as breathing. I love Ivy. She loves me. We both love our child. There’s nothing standing in the way of making her my wife and us becoming a family. It’s as simple as that.

I’ve so got this.

Until she rolls over on her side and the ring falls off her stomach. I freeze, wondering if she’s awake and if I just blew yet another opportunity to make her mine. I don’t move, listening to her steady, even breaths. Gingerly, I fold back the covers and get out of bed, not wanting to disturb her as I get down on my hands and knees to find the ring.