“What do we do now?”
“We stay put. Once I get you to a safe place, I’m going to figure out who’s behind this. I’m going to stop them. Find their weak point. Keep them from getting to anyone else.” Chase picked up the phone he’d set on the table, glanced at the display and laughed. “Phone battery is about shot.”
“I saw some electrical components in one of the cabinets when I was looking for food. Maybe there’s a charger we can use.” Energized by the prospect of doing something proactive, Lily rose quickly. The stab of pain low in her belly came so hard and fast she couldn’t withhold the gasp. Bending slightly, she grasped the back of the bench seat and leaned heavily.
“Lily!”
Before she could return to the bench, Chase darted to her and set his hand gently against the small of her back. With his free hand, he took her arm and guided her back toward the bench seat.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Is it the baby? What?”
“It’s okay,” she said, more embarrassed than concerned. By the time she sat, the pain had already subsided.
“It’s not okay. You’re in pain. You practically doubled over. I saw your face.”
“It happens every so often.” Leaning back in the seat, she set her hand against her belly and smiled. “I think she’s trying to tell me something.”
Chase blinked. “She?”
She glanced up at him, more moved by his concern than she should have been. “It’s a girl.”
“A girl?” He gave her a look that made him seem just a little bit lost. “How do you know?”
“There’s a test. A sonogram. If there’s no…you know…then we know it’s a little girl.”
“Oh, okay.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “Wow. A little girl.”
Lily couldn’t help it. Maybe it was the stress of the situation, or the lack of sleep, but she laughed. It was the first time she’d seen tough guy Chase Vickers speechless, and she couldn’t help but indulge.
“What’s so funny?”
“You.”
The concern etched into his every feature softened. “I’m glad you find me so amusing.” Surprising her, he smiled, and for several seconds they grinned at each other like a couple of fools.
The moment shifted when Chase lifted his hand and set it against her face. His palm was warm and slightly rough against her cheek. Lily had seen that look in his eyes before. She knew what would happen next. And while the intellectual side of her brain told her to pull away, a treacherous part of her brain refused to let her move.
“I love your smile,” he said thickly. “I love it even more when you laugh.”
“Nothing about this is even remotely funny.” She’d hoped the words would snap them out of whatever stupor gripped them.
They didn’t.
Stepping closer, Chase lifted his other hand, ran his fingertips across her cheek and through her hair. All the while he searched her face with an intensity that held her spellbound. “I’ve missed you,” he said.
“Don’t.” Her word came out as little more than a puff of breath.
“Too late.” Tilting his head slightly, he brushed his mouth across hers.
The initial shock of pleasure curled her toes. Her body tingled with sensations she’d forgotten existed. Lily was no stranger to intimacy. But only in this man’s arms had she ever felt true passion. Not now, was all she could think, but he’d been right. It was too late to stop.…
Need vibrated through her with such force that her knees went weak. Intellect warred with a sudden, jarring stab of desire that went from her brain to every erogenous zone in her body.
“Wait,” she whispered.
Chase didn’t wait. His hand slid from her hair, down her back where he gripped her and pulled her snug against him. His body was like a stone wall against hers, all sinew and muscle and tightly restrained male need. Lily wanted to believe that’s all this was. Lust caused by months of celibacy. The aftereffects of adrenaline and fear. High danger and higher emotion.
But one look into his eyes and she knew this moment was so much more. And while the little voice of reason screamed for her to stop, her body moved closer. The ridge of his erection nudged her swollen belly and a pang moved through her. Locking his arms around her, he devoured her mouth. A powerful wave of desire swept the length of her when he used his tongue and went deep.