One to Protect (One to Hold Book 3) by Tia Louise

Author:Tia Louise [Louise, Tia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: One to Hold
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 20577157
Publisher: TLM Productions
Published: 2014-04-19T04:00:00+00:00

His words wash away my fears in a flood of understanding. He said exactly what I needed to know. Our love isn’t a competition. There are no ghosts lurking in the background, only memories. Some are good, some bad, but we’re something new. We’re building our future together, and in my heart, I know it’s right, because as much as I love him, I would never want him to go through life alone, and I know anyone who felt the way I do about him would say the same.

“I want to go to Baltimore with you.” I don’t have to think about it. “We shouldn’t be apart anymore.”

“No. I want you to stay here. Elaine can stay with you and—”

“Sloan doesn’t scare me. He doesn’t own me, and he can’t win—”

“Anything with the power to take you away from me scares me.”

I’m shocked by his answer. Derek isn’t supposed to be afraid of anything. “Nothing is taking me away from you.”

He catches both my hands in his. “I won’t risk you or the baby being hurt. We’ll end the long distance arrangement after we finish this job.”

“How long?” After all he just said to me, I feel our pending separation more acutely than ever.

“A week? Two tops, and I’ll keep in touch with you the entire time.”

“Two weeks? That’s longer than we’ve spent apart since Christmas.”

“Believe me. I’ll be doing everything in my power to make it end sooner.” His phone buzzes, and when he looks at the face, he starts to rise. “It’s Patrick. We’ve got to get moving.”

Tears heat my eyes as I follow him back toward my house. I’m not sure I’ll be able to hold it together until he’s away. “It hurts more than ever this time.” My voice is soft, and I’m fighting as hard as I can. It’s difficult between my fears for him and what he just shared—and a healthy dose of pregnancy hormones. Still, I don’t want his last sight of me to be crying.

I follow him back to my bedroom, where he stops and hugs me close. My face is against his chest, and his fingers thread into my hair at the base of my neck. Several seconds pass and we only hold each other, sharing our breath, melting together. Another buzz from his damn phone, and he releases me.

Quickly he pushes his clothes into his duffel and takes the keys. In the kitchen he stops and pulls me close again. “I promise not to prolong this.” Turning me to the side, he puts a large hand over my tiny baby bump. “Love you,” he whispers, and I catch his cheek, guiding his lips to mine.

I’m off the floor in his embrace. Mouths open, tongues unite, I’m kissing him like he’s headed into battle, which in a sense he is. My only comfort is Patrick’s promise to have his back.

Another buzz, and I almost forget I’m on Team Patrick now. “I don’t want you to go.” I whimper.

“I know.” He sets me down and gives me a peck on the nose, another on the forehead as he inhales deeply.

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