Whispering Rock (Virgin River #3)(72)

“We are. We deserve nothing. But we beg just the same.” He touched her face. “I’m not the same man since you came into my life.”

“I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to make love again,” she said softly. Then, smiling, she said, “Now I’m not sure I can stop.”

“Tell me,” he whispered. “Last night, the first time—you froze up, you tensed. You didn’t want the condom.”

She closed her eyes and shook her head. Then she opened her eyes, met his and said, “I couldn’t. I couldn’t feel that latex inside me because he—”

“I know, my love,” Mike said sweetly. “It’s all right. A little flashback?”

“For a second, but you brought me into the present and it was all right then.” She smiled. “Way more than all right.”

“There’s something you should keep in mind,” he said softly, stroking her hair. “No matter how perfect things seem, you could find yourself—”

“I know. Back there, in that terrifying moment,” she finished for him. “I’ve had a lot of counseling. They try to prepare you for that. It happened to me once before, that first night at the cabin. It snuck right up on me.” She ran a finger along his ear, down his neck. “Talk about baggage…”

He smiled into her eyes. “Everyone has something, Brie. Everyone has a haunt, a relentless ghost. The best way to scare it off is to look it square in the face.”

“You’re so good,” she whispered.

“There’s no danger of disease,” he said. “I haven’t been with a woman since before the shooting, and in the hospital every cell in my body was screened. But there is another matter…. Are you taking pills?”

She shook her head, but her eyes were clear.

“Ah,” he said. “Mel can help with that. There’s something she can give you to prevent a baby.”

“What if I didn’t do that?” she asked. “What if I didn’t go to Mel?”

That caused him to straighten a bit. “I assume you passed biology 101,” he said.

“There’s no telling what would happen.” She shrugged. “Probably nothing.”

“If the amount of pleasure we have correlates to conception, there will be a hundred babies by the end of the week.”

“If you’d like me to see Mel, I will. This is probably just crazy. I wouldn’t push you, rush you.”

“Brie, you can’t rush me. I want to give you everything. If you wanted me to give you a baby, I would die trying, but only if it was our baby. Together. Maybe you should think about it a little longer, until you’re sure.”

She smiled at him. “Ah. I knew I forgot something. It’s the reason I came here, to you—it wasn’t just because I needed your touch to help make me stronger. It was so much more than that. I couldn’t be away from you a second longer. I think you’re the best friend I’ve ever had. In fact, we became so close in the last six months, I didn’t think we could get any closer.” She put her fingers on his lips. “The joke’s on me—this goes beyond my wildest expectations. If you’re only pretending, you’re a gifted actor.”

“No acting, Brie. I love you. Endlessly.”

“And I love you.”

Her admission fulfilled his deepest desires. “You mean this?”

“Sí, Miguel. I can’t imagine being without you. Not now. You’ve been everything to me for months. I love you so much.”

“Nunca soñe que yo pudiera tener esto en mi vida.” I never dreamed I could have this in my life.

“I didn’t even know it existed.”

“And this is what you want? To let nature take its course?”

“Betting on nature probably isn’t very risky. Before I knew…” She took a breath. “I stopped taking my pills while I was married to Brad. We’d been talking about a baby and I thought I’d surprise him. I didn’t know he was brewing a romance with my best friend…. A long time before… Well,” she said. “It wasn’t just a year before he left me. It was longer.”

“Is that what he told you yesterday?” Mike asked. “At the same time he was explaining Powell had been found?”

“I think he let it slip,” she said. “I guess she booted her husband on the excuse of their many little fights, but it was really because she was in love with Brad. And he knew it.”

“Oh, man…” Mike said in a breath.

“But he never stopped sleeping with me. I was clueless, trying to surprise him with a baby. Nothing happened, though. I didn’t get pregnant.”

“Aw, honey,” he said, stroking her arm. “Maybe it’s best that didn’t work for you, under the circumstances. But this could be different. Your eyes should be wide open. I’m told you shouldn’t trust the water around here. It might be wise to do some planning, for your sake. I live in a trailer in Virgin River.”

“Details.” She smiled. “I’ve never felt more at home.” She touched his handsome face. “If last night made a baby, it will be a beautiful baby. I don’t want Mel’s help to make sure it doesn’t stick. If it’s there, it’s yours—and I want it.”