“If you’re alright here, I’m going to head home,” Charlotte says standing over me.

I offer her a sleepy smile. “Go and sleep, sis . . . and thank you for everything.”

“You don’t need to thank me.” Charlotte looks worried as she leans over the bed and kisses my forehead. Her eyes lift and look to the opposite side at Garrett. “Sirena has my number, please call me if she needs anything.”

Before I have time to wonder why she would say that to Garrett, who I expect to leave with her, he says, “I’ll call.”

Charlotte leaves and Garrett smiles. “You’re thinking rather loudly . . . I’m not going anywhere.”

I’m relieved that Garrett wants to stay with me, but I feel bad that it’s so late and he looks tired. Biting my lip, I offer, “You should go and get some sleep as well.”

He shakes his head. “I’m not leaving you, and that’s final.” He kisses my knuckles. “Unless you really don’t want me here.”

At his words my eyes fill with tears and I find Garrett standing over me, his thumbs wiping away the tears that slowly trickle down my face.

“You don’t know me,” I whisper. “How can you want to stay with me?”

“Shush, honey.” He glances at the door and then at me while his brain is obviously working overtime on something I’m hoping he’ll share.

“There is something between us, at least there is on my part, and right now I just have to be here with you so that I know you’re okay. I know it doesn’t really make sense to either of us, but it’s there.”

I’m embarrassed with how open he is about his feelings for me because since I met Harry I’ve always shied away from opening up because he’d always hurt me with his callousness. Garrett is the opposite and I need to learn to share with a man again, with Garrett. “You’re not alone. I feel it too.” His eyes immediately caress my face as though he’s searching for the truth.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Ask me anything,” I offer.

“I don’t see your wedding ring, but if he comes to you and begs you to go back to him what will you do? I need to know now before I let this happen.”

Sighing, I admit, “I won’t be going back to him, Garrett. We got married over a weekend in Vegas and it’s the biggest mistake I’ve ever made, but I’ll never call my baby a mistake.”

“Oh honey,” he takes my face between his palms, “a child is only ever a gift.”

“Harry doesn’t think so. He had me sign papers giving up his rights to my baby.” I try to smile but somehow don’t manage it.

“He did what?” Garrett fumes, angry on my behalf.

I reach up and trace along his jaw and watch as his eyes change from anger to pleasure. “I was upset at first, but then I felt relieved. I’m afraid of doing all this on my own Garrett, but I’m glad he no longer has a say in anything.”

He nods. “Can I hold you? I just want you to know how safe you are with me?” he asks, a shy smile gracing his beautiful lips.

I fight happy tears at his request and biting my lip, I move slightly over, giving him enough room to climb onto the bed. He wraps his arms around me. It’s a bit awkward because my belly is in the way, but it feels good to be in his arms.

“I can’t remember the last time anyone held me like this,” I admit. “My family are always hugging me, but this, it’s different and I’m afraid that I like it too much.”

His hold subtly tightens around me, and his fingers splay out along my back as he kisses my forehead. “I already like it too much.”

Silence follows as I feel myself drifting to sleep, but then I have a thought, and I mumble, “Why didn’t you call me?”

Holding his gaze, he says, “I’m older, Sirena.”

I snuggle against his chest so that he can’t see my face and reply, “I know there are a lot of years between us, but you make me tingle in places that haven’t for a long time.”

“Sirena,” he growls. “Please don’t say things like that. You’ll drive me insane.”

“I’m sorry but lying here with you, even if it’s in the hospital makes me so happy.” I press my face against his chest and I feel Garrett shudder beneath me, and seconds later my baby kicks.

Garrett chuckles. “You have an energetic little one in there.” He tugs me closer and kisses my forehead. “I want to be with you Sirena.” He sighs. “That’s all I know right now.”

“I want that as well . . . just please don’t hurt me.”

“I won’t. I promise I won’t.”

He caresses gently down my spine and I moan when the warmth from his palm covers my bruised tailbone. He freezes and hesitates to carry on.

“Your hand takes the pain away,” I offer and slip my leg between his to get into a more comfortable position.

In this position, I realize that it probably isn’t all that comfortable for Garrett with his arousal hard and throbbing, trapped in his slacks against my thigh.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, applying slight pressure to my lower back.

I smile. “I wish I could get closer.”

His hand on me hesitates and then it’s gone altogether. “Can you turn over without any pain?”

“Let me try.” With some rearranging my back is now pressing against Garrett’s front. I wiggle closer still until I’m completely surrounded by the man. One of his arms is my cushion and the other rests over my belly as though he’s protecting my baby.

“Is that better?”

“Mmm, but you’re uncomfortable,” I point out.

He laughs. “I’ll survive.” He kisses the back of my head. “It’s late. Try and get some sleep.”

I’m not sure I’ll sleep in his arms because I’m too afraid he’ll leave. But I’m curious as to why he’s attracted to me. “I’m pregnant,” I blurt out, ending my private thoughts. “I mean I’m six months pregnant with a huge tummy. I don’t get how I, um, arouse you.” Thank God he can’t see my face right now because I can feel the heat lighting up my cheeks.

“The first thing I noticed about you was your hair as you walked down the corridor in front of me, and I’m not going to lie, I totally checked you out.” I hear the amusement in his voice. “I noticed the sway of your hips as you walked and your shapely legs, and then when you turned, I noticed your swollen belly seconds before your wedding ring. I felt a stab of disappointment when I saw your ring.”

“And then I told you the truth in the elevator.” I sigh.

“You did and I’ve been obsessed with you since . . . I’m not going to lie Sirena, since a failed engagement, many years ago, I’ve always kept my distance from anyone who has commitment written all over them.” He chuckles against my ear. “You don’t get a sign as big as this one,” he caresses my stomach, “but I find myself unable to move away from you. I have this need to take care of you.”

I cover his hand on my belly, and feel my baby kick out against his hand. My fingers intertwine with his as I yawn, but I’m desperate to stay awake and talk. “Tell me why you had a failed engagement . . . if you don’t mind me asking.”

“I don’t mind. It was a long time ago.” He rests his cheek against my head. “I was young and in love, except it turned out that my dear fiancée was in love with my bank balance more than me.”

“Oh.” I squeeze his hand, trying to provide some kind of comfort.

“As time went on I realized that I didn’t really love her and that I’d just gotten caught up in the moment. I’m not a monk, Sirena, but over the years I’ve been selective, and there hasn’t really been that many. I spend more time working than anything else . . . and when I should be concentrating all my time and energy into the completion of my new hotel, all I can think about is you.” He chuckles.

My heart swells with longing because he’s occupied enough of my thoughts since our first meeting and feeling him wrapped around me . . . “It feels natural.”

“Yes, it does,” he whispers, understanding my confession. “Please try and sleep now. We can talk more tomorrow.”

“Sweet dreams, Garrett.” I bring his hand up to my mouth and press a kiss to the back of his palm.

He sighs and the warmth from him lulls me to sleep even though his erection throbs against my bottom.