Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
While he took care of packing at his apartment, Winter called Nikki, then Derek, to let them know the plan. To her shock, Nikki had received a call from her mother, warning her to stay away from the home-wrecking child of her father’s mistress. Nikki had asked her mother not to call her again. She wasn’t ready to deal with her, reminding Winter of how much she’d lucked out in the mom department. She might not have grown up with a father, but she’d had a loving, caring parent. Who she missed badly.
Winter supposed that was why she texted the senator about her intention to leave town. She really couldn’t say why else she’d bother but she hoped maybe he’d want to know where she was going. She left out the whys of it all. They weren’t close enough for her to bring him into the chaos.
Then she touched base with her friend and mentor. Erin was beside herself to hear what Winter was going through. She’d spoken to Erin after the pregnancy news had broken in the media, but Erin hadn’t been aware of her stalker issue. Winter felt more comfortable letting Erin know than the senator. Her father. Gah. She needed to decide what he was to her and how to think of him.
There were so many things swirling through her brain she barely had time to process the fact that she and Harrison were going back to the scene of the crime. So to speak. His luxurious home where he’d had the engagement party for Nikki and Asher, and where she’d fallen into bed with him again. And wound up pregnant.
Her stomach flipped at the notion of them alone and the possibilities of what could happen between them. He had a hot tub, which she knew from reading online articles wasn’t healthy to use during pregnancy, a pool which it was too cold outside to enjoy, and a massive media room. His home theater, with a full wall-to-wall LED screen, had a large couch with reclining seats and was an extremely comfortable space for sex. This, she knew firsthand.
Nerves and nausea were her companions as the driver loaded his things beside hers in the trunk. Then she and Harrison, along with Panda, climbed into the back seat for the drive. She’d ended up putting her head in his lap and stretched out to sleep while the dog settled between her legs.
And Harrison’s fingers curled in her hair.
She felt safe, cared for and more peaceful than she’d expected given the day’s events. He’d shown up when she needed him. Been there for her even though one of the detectives thought they were exaggerating the threat. And he was taking her away to a place he believed she would be safe.
Her hand came to rest on her stomach as her eyes slowly closed, exhaustion overtaking her.
* * *
Harrison sifted his fingers through Winter’s hair as she slept. A warmth unlike anything he’d felt before settled in his chest. Even if she weren’t carrying his baby, he would protect her and want her the same way. Which meant he was damned lucky he had potent sperm or whatever had happened to push them together. Or else he might never have gotten his shit together and made the move.
He glanced at her hand splayed across her belly and his heart, that thing he’d never given a thought to before, squeezed harder. She was his. And so was the baby growing inside her. They were the family he hadn’t been aware of wanting. Now they were what he needed.
He intended to make damned sure they stayed safe.
By the time they arrived at his East Hamptons home, night had fallen. The driver shut off the engine and walked around to open his door.
“Can you take her, please?” Harrison handed Panda’s leash to Bruce, a great guy who drove for whatever family member needed him. “If you put her down on the ground, she’ll probably go.”
“No problem.”
Bruce took the dog for a walk and Harrison stroked a hand over Winter’s cheek. “Wake up, beautiful.”
Her dark lashes fluttered, and those gorgeous green eyes settled on his face.
“We’re here,” he said.
She pushed herself to a sitting position, and he helped her out of the car. Morgan, the bodyguard who’d started the night shift an hour early, had followed behind them in his own car and pulled in alongside the parked car just as Bruce returned with Panda.
“She did her business,” he said, giving Winter the leash.
“Thank you,” she said.
“My pleasure, ma’am.” He smiled and strode to the open trunk to unload the bags and suitcases.
Harrison took Winter’s hand and led her to the door. Morgan had already jogged ahead and stood beside them as Harrison unlocked the door and unset the alarm.
Obviously certain the house was secure, Morgan stepped aside for Harrison and Winter to enter. A little while later, all the bags were in the correct rooms, divided between his and the kitchen for Panda’s food and bowls. They hadn’t discussed sleeping arrangements, and this house had four guestrooms.