If Only by Lisa M. Owens

to look at his wife. “Bree, baby,” he began haltingly. “I’m so sorry,” he continued as his hands reached out for her. When she didn’t respond to his plea, he felt as though a heavy boulder was sitting on his chest. He leaned over her still figure, brushing his body against hers when he realized she had fallen asleep. Grinning, he watched her, her slow and shallow breathing causing her chest to rise and fall. He was hardening just from watching her.
    *
    Bree awakened at the feeling of being caressed by a pair of strong and muscled arms. She sighed as she buried herself against his massive chest, overcome by an intense sense of peace and an overwhelming feeling she was safe and loved. She could smell the pungent aroma of his aftershave as his chin rubbed up against the delicate column of her throat. His hands stroked her abdomen before brushing against the small of her back. Reaching behind his dark head, she pulled his body even closer. Scott’s lips traced a slow path from the inner curve of her ear, down the side of her face and along her neckline before his wicked tongue dipped down between the hollow slopes of her straining breasts. When his tongue licked her nipple in slow and agonizing circles, she sat upright with a start to find her husband and the love of her life lying beside her on the sheets, wearing that goofy grin that never failed to warm her heart.
    “Will you forgive me for being such an ass?” he questioned with an embarrassed grin as he enfolded her into a huge bear hug and nuzzled her neck.
    She sighed dramatically before giving him a mischievous smirk. “Don’t I always?”
    He smiled as he held her hand in his own and pressed her body back onto the bed, the bedsprings squeaking beneath them in protest as his body covered hers. He laughed, lifting her off the bed and into his arms, pulling her onto his lap. “I suppose we have already managed to wear out another mattress.” He teased.
    Bree frowned as she laced her hands through his. With one hand clutching her abdomen, she stated, “It’s because of me.”
    His hand settled protectively against the slight swell of her stomach. “I sincerely doubt that,” he informed her as his other hand began to massage the muscles of her neck.
    She sighed in distress as she examined herself with a critical eye. “Don’t doubt it,” she commented with a frown. “I’ve already gained two pounds.”
    He laughed as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him. “You’re kidding, right?” He was appalled to see tears glistening in his wife’s green eyes.
    She knew it was ridiculous to be this upset over merely gaining two pounds, but she just couldn’t seem to help it. Considering how much more weight she would gain during this pregnancy made it even more unreasonable. Her hormones were running amuck, and she began to cry so hard she couldn’t stop. Her body shook uncontrollably as Scott tightened his arms around her, cradling her as though he were comforting a baby, murmuring tender words of reassurance and comfort. His large hands gently stroked the top of her head, his long, tapered fingers running through the long tresses of her rich auburn hair.
    “I’m so sorry,” she wailed, her voice trembling as she wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed his body tightly against hers.
    “What on earth could you possibly be sorry for?” he questioned her, his voice full of love and compassion. His hands reassuringly framed the sides of her face as he nearly lost himself in the gorgeous green depths of her eyes.
    Her face crumpled as she brought her hands up to cover herself, wiping away her tears. She cradled her head in her hands as she continued, “You just found out about your mom, and then I begin to act all hysterical.” She began gesturing wildly with her hands. “Like you don’t have enough on your mind right now. I’m an emotional wreck, and I hate that!”
    Scott just sat there, grinning like a fool, loving her