Page 82 of Stolen Salvation

Noah’s face softened. “I love you so much, Charlie, and I promise you this time it will be different. I’m seeing Peyton Lawson to help get my head straight and I’m going to be the man you need.”

“No way.”

Noah frowned as his fingers caressed her neck. “No?”

“I have an appointment with Peyton too, she is going to recommend a therapist for me who deals with infant death. I have too much baggage and I’m not bringing it with me this time.”

“Who suggested her?”

“Savannah Decker. Why?”

“Sneaky bastards. Mark Decker suggested her to me. I guess they all want us to be together.”

“None more than me, Noah. I love you and I’m terrified by this pregnancy, but I know we’ll get through it together this time.”

His lips captured hers in a passionate kiss and all of the hurt and pain seemed to disappear as desire took over. Lifting her hand she stroked his jaw and he winced.

Looking closer she saw a bruise under the stubbled jaw she loved so much. “What happened?”

“It’s a long story.”

Charlie wriggled, feeling the ridge of his hard cock beneath her thighs. “Well, how about you tell me after my shower.”

His hands landed on her hips and stilled her. “Baby, I want nothing more than to plunge my cock inside you and fuck you until we’re both screaming but you’re not allowed until Savannah signs off on sex being permitted.”

Charlie poked out her tongue. “Spoilsport.”

Lifting her in his arms he carried her out of her apartment and next door into his, walking straight toward the shower.

“What are you doing?”

His fingers skimmed her ribs as he drew the tee overhead and threw it to the floor and knelt and began to run the bath. His shirt went next, and she watched with hungry eyes as his muscles rippled, tantalising her.

“I didn’t say we couldn’t have fun, but we need to be careful and conserve your energy.” Dropping his jeans, he fell to his knees and pulled the pyjama pants down with her underwear tangled with them.

Her legs shook, and she knew it was from need, not weakness caused by her being shot.

As the room filled with steam and the scent of lavender, Noah got into the bath with her and made her lean back against his chest. His hard erection pressed into her back as the warm water lapped over her skin. His hands lathered in body wash smoothed over her shoulders and down her arms where he linked their fingers. “I missed this.”

Charlie had no desire to play games, so she answered honestly. “Me too. Do you remember when we stayed up all night talking on the phone just because we couldn’t bear to be apart?”

“I still have one of your voice mails on my phone.”

His admission startled her, and she tipped her head back to look at him. “You do?”

“Yes. You called when I was meeting a contact and it went to voicemail. You told me you were making roast potatoes and chicken and if I made it home in time I could have you for dessert.”

Charlie bit her lip. “I remember that. We ended up having each other for starters and cold chicken and potatoes later that night.”

Noah let her hands go as they slid over her hips to her tummy. Reverently he held his palm over where their child grew. The room was charged with so much energy, desire, love, and sadness but mostly hope.

Charlie covered his hand with her own. “I know this was far from planned but this baby feels destined, somehow. Does that sound silly?”

She felt Noah’s head shake behind her, his stubble catching her hair. “Not at all. I think this baby was meant to bring us back to each other and anchor us.”

“Or force us to get our shit together.”

His chuckle tickled her neck and Charlie felt her nipples bead as they poked above the warm water.