As soon as Addison woke, she could feel him there before she opened her eyes. But when she opened her eyes, he wasn’t staring at her. He was lying on his back next to her on the bed, snoring softly. Since she had a king-sized bed, she hadn’t even known he’d gotten in.

Her heart fluttered, and she turned halfway to her side, then all the way, relaxing quietly and putting a pillow between her knees. She stared at him. Unlike her freckled skin, he still had that deep tan skin even though he hadn’t been outside in a couple of weeks. Blond streaked hair hung low over his forehead in that messy, sexy way. She knew they were natural because she’d watched him from afar forever, or what felt like forever.

Staring at Jace Harding no longer felt bad or like she was peering at an Internet screen. No, now it felt real.

She smelled his aftershave and cologne. It was heavenly. She didn’t know how he always managed to pull that off.

She thought of the kiss earlier at the center, of how overwhelmed and humble and endearingly childlike he had looked as he handed out those fruits. She thought of the way he said she was prettier than Stacy. Objectively, she knew she wasn’t, especially right now, but warmth filled her anyway. Could he really think that?

Taking a chance, she reached out and softly touched his hair.

His light snoring paused, but then he moved a bit and settled back into deep breathing.

The memory of the kisses warmed her even more. She remembered feeling him against her, taking hold of her like he could be the rock she’d always wanted. It overwhelmed her. Her eyes were wet, and she blamed her hormones.

Could he love her? Could she love him? Would it all end when this magic bubble they’d been living in popped? She smiled. What they were living wasn’t exactly a fairy tale, but to her, it kind of had been.

He’d brought such fun and warmth and joy into her life. Something else she noticed was that he’d been willing to sacrifice his precious month off to be with her. It still startled her at times yet, he was here. It felt right.

Guilt assaulted her once again as she thought of Tim’s death. It felt good to finally tell someone how she’d felt. Like she had taken this horrible secret and put it in the light, and now it wasn’t so horrible.

Taking another chance, she reached for his hand, resting hers on his. That did it. His eyes fluttered, and he gripped her hand and slid closer, like it was a compulsion he couldn’t stop.

She found herself slipping into his arms and feeling like everything she’d ever wanted was right there.

“Hey.” He grinned at her and gently put his lips to hers.

She yearned for him and let herself kiss him. Deepening the kiss, she felt him respond by pulling her more fully into him. Obviously, getting close was tricky at this point in her pregnancy, but this was amazing.

Taking her hands, she pressed them to his five-o’clock shadow and rubbed his face softly. He moaned and pulled back, staring at her. “You’re so beautiful, Addy.”

“Addy?” How come it sounded so delicious coming from his lips? She kept one hand on his face and traced his jawline and then his lips, circling them with her finger. He kissed her hand and desire surged through her as she realized this was more than she had ever thought she could want.

He kissed her again, running his hand down her hair and back. “Addy ... Addy.”

“Wait.” Addison tugged back, but Jace didn’t let her go. “Jace, how can you want this? Me? Are you sure?” She knew he knew everything. Reluctantly, she had to admit that he knew her better than Tim probably had.

Slowly, he took a piece of her hair and placed it behind her ear then tapped her nose. “I want this. I do. You can feel it too. I don’t think there’s ever been anything I wanted more to tell you the truth.”

At first, she couldn’t tell if he was talking about the situation or her. Then, as he slowly trailed kisses along the edge of her neck, she realized the answer was obvious.

She pulled back again. “But I’m having a baby.”

Making more space between them, he reached out and gently placed a hand on her belly. “I’ve noticed.” Staring into her eyes, he smiled. “I told you. You’re my refugee.”

She shoved him and then laughed at his bad joke.

Grabbing her gently, he pulled her back in for a squeeze. “Look, Adds, I don’t—”

“Adds?”

“I’m experimenting with nicknames.”

She smiled. “Okay.”

“I know this may not be ideal. I know life has thrown us into this moment and neither one of us expected it, but it’s like being on the fourth and long. Things have never looked worse. Then the perfect pass comes out of nowhere, and the field opens up magically. Then I’m in the end zone, and the crowd is going wild, and there’s this adrenaline and energy and …”

“Momentum?”

“Exactly! One good pass, one catalyst can be a game changer. A season changer!”

“So …”

He squeezed her again and stole a quick kiss. “You’re my life catalyst, the game changer that makes my life meaningful.”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“No, I’m not. I believe it was when I spoke to you that day at Cubbies and you told me to be grateful.” He grinned.

“I was pushy.”

“I was selfish.” He countered.

“True.” She grinned. “But I didn’t know you like I do now.”

“No, I think you did know me. I just wasn’t ready to do a major self-reflection at that point.”

Now, she felt even worse. “I’m sorry.”

He squeezed her and sighed. “Once again, grateful you’re my refugee.”

Every part of her felt this zing of happiness. It wasn’t true, but it sure felt good for him to see her that way.

“Don’t deny it.”

She blinked.

“No tears,” he said mock severely.

She swallowed and tried to push down the emotion. “You’re kind of a hero to me.”

He was humbled. Leaning forward, he kissed her briefly. “What can I say? I like the role of hero.”

She giggled.

They kissed again, and she knew her life would never be the same.