My Surprise Mate

We walked the rest of the way to the house in silence.

Dane’s arm wrapped protectively around me, only confusing me more as to what was going on.

He still wasn’t talking to me—still had the same damn expression on his face—but here he was looking after me.

Then it hit me...he feels sorry for me, or he feels obligated.

I don’t want anyone’s pity and I hate the thought that I somehow made him feel responsible for me.

I could feel my heart clench.

Dane opened the front door for me, “I have some things I need to take care of, but it shouldn’t take me long.” My heart clenched.

“Will you be coming back over here tonight?” I didn’t want to sound desperate or needy, but I wanted to know.

I really wanted him here with me.

“I'll come to check on you when I get done.” He walked away, leaving me alone.

I shut and locked the front door and made my way to the bathroom.

After letting the bathtub fill with steaming hot water and bubbles, I slowly slid in and then I let the tears fall.

I wasn’t sure why I was crying.

Well, I did know because I wasn’t sure what had happened to cause Dane to act the way he is.

What I shouldn’t care.

I didn’t know him that well anyway.

Thankfully, there was no growling during my downtime tonight.

After sitting in the water until it turned cold, I finally climbed out and just threw on a clean t-shirt and some panties.

I really doubt that he’ll be coming back tonight, so I didn’t bother with pants.

I was more comfortable this way.

trying to think of

stay here, where I’m not sure I’m even wanted, or I can leave, find a different town to

needed to

Time was running out.

open asI felt a blanket

to wake you up,”

didn’t say anything, just lay staring

sure what to say

could walk away,

side of the bed and

he was there, in bed with me, he

My heart cracked.

this anymore, “If I need to leave,

the best I could to carried through the

shake as he sat upin bed, “Is this because of Nyla? I promise you won’t have any more problems with her if it is.” My eyes stayed trained on the ceiling as silent tears

nothing to do with

acting weird since I saw

baby, trust me, I get it —and the fact that you aren’t the biological father, I’m sure, makes it

heart was in the

the bedside lamp on, filling the room

attempted to roll over on my side

I supposed to tell him? The truth, I guess, even if it

don’t know what’s

I sat up and faced him, he looked

have never let anyone

he didn’t even have this

be around you,

I couldn’t fight the urge to help

but in a good

to you, it’s like your smell engulfs me and calms

Soothes me somehow.

clinic you’ve been acting weird and, for some

I wasn’t sure if you would come back or not, or even what I had done wrong, I felt like my heart was shattering into a thousand pieces.”

top of my head

you were feeling