b16:16 /bbSat/b, bOct /bb4 /b

Chapter 294 Too Late, My Love

Chapter 294 Too Late, My Love

TESSA

58

s

I still hadn’t told him, though the words had been sitting at the back of my throat for days now, waiting to be freed. However, every time I tried, I faltered.

Maybe it was cowardice. Maybe it was fear. Or maybe it was because Rowan had been iso /iunbearably excited for the wedding that I didn’t want to do anything that might dim that light in his eyes. What if the moment I spoke the truth, it shifted his focus? What if it burdened him instead of blessing him?

He had told me once–more than once, actually–that he was ready for another child. Although most of the time, it had a flirty undertone. So, I didn’t know what ito /imake of it.

My hand drifted to my stomach, smoothing over the fabric of my shirt. It wasn’t obvious yet, but I could feel the faint swell and the slight tightness of my clothes. ording to my assessment, I was nearly two months along, and that was closer to halfway through than I had realized. It startled me how quickly time moved when I was holding back.

The front door opened, and I knew it was him without turning around. I had already memorized the rhythm of his footsteps. It was one I could recognize anywhere. I let go of my shirt quickly and turned just as Rowan stepped in.

He wasughing–deep, unrestrainedughter that lit up his whole face. “Oh, this is so funny,” he said, still chuckling. “You won’t believe what Ca just said in the boutique. She said Elias is going to die alone!”

The sound of it was infectious, but I couldn’t bring myself tough.

Before I could drift too far into my thoughts, Rowan was already in front of me, arms sliding around me. He pressed a kiss to my temple and studied my face with that look he always wore when he thought something was wrong.

“Is something wrong?” he asked softly. “Something hurts?”

I shook my head quickly. “No.”

Maybe this was the time.

I shouldn’t dy this any

further.

So, instead of letting go, I caught his hand and guided it down to my stomach. His brow furrowed in confusion as I pressed his palm t against the spot where the faint curve had

b16:16 Sat/bb, /bbOct /bb4 /b

Chapter 294 Too Late, My Love

begun to take shape.

:

“I don’t think the original dress would fit,” I whispered.

58

s

“Huh?” he muttered before his lips curved into a reassuring smile. “Then we’ll have it altered. I’ll call the tailor first thing tomorrow.”

I shook my head. “No.”

He frowned. His eyes searched mine, confusion fading into realization. His lips parted to speak, but no words came out. He looked down at where his hand still rested on me, then back at me again.

And in that silence, I knew it had finally clicked.

“Yeah,” I murmured without actually confirming anything.

I felt his sharp intake of breath, his gasp echoing softly between us. I shut my eyes, bracing for his reaction, when suddenly, I felt soft, warm lips pressed against my temple. fn8a24 This text is hosted at Find[?]ovel/fn8a24

I flinched slightly, eyes still squeezed shut. Then, his lips moved down my cheek, to my jaw, my nose, and my other cheek. Over and over again. Little kisses scattered across my skin like raindrops.

I gasped and opened my eyes, startled. “Rowan-”

But he didn’t stop.

“Rowan!” I whined.

“Let me do this,” he said, his voice filled with joy.

He kept going, peppering my face with kisses until my cheeks tingled. His hands cradled my face gently, but his lips were relentless. He kissed me until I was sure my face was glowing red from both his affection and my embarrassment.

When his mouth finally found mine, I moaned instinctively. He kissed my lips, leaving them swollen and marked with his happiness. Then, finally, he pulled back. His forehead rested against mine.

“You’re happy?” I whispered, my voice trembling.

“Do you even need to ask that question?” he asked, a breathlessugh spilling from his lips. His hands still cupped my face, thumbs brushing my damp cheeks. “Of course I am. Why would I not ibe/i, hmm? I’d be insane not to.”

16:16 bSat/b, bOct /bb4 /b

Chapter 294 Too Late, My Love

:

I felt my own lips tremble into a smile and the tight knot in my chest begin to loosen.

b58 /b

s

“The dress?” I asked softly. It was ridiculous that it was the first thing toe to mind, but that had been the thing circling me like a hawk all day.

He gave a short, incredulousugh. “The dress is the least of my worries.”

“I’m fucking happy.”

Relief spread through my body like sunlight through the winter. I hadn’t needed to worry at all.

“You don’t know how much I want this,” he said, his voice softening, his thumbs stroking my cheeks again. “I beat myself up every single day thinking about how I wasn’t there for you when you carried Ca. How I let you do it alone. I can do it now. I can do it for you.”

I bit my lip hard to keep the sob froming.

“Gosh, I love you,” he whispered fiercely, pressing his forehead harder against mine. “Tell me anything, okay? If you’re sick. If you’re scared. You’re healthy? You need anything? You need some tissues? You just need me. I’ll be there. I promise.”

“I’ll tear through everything just to get you everything,” he said.

“Okay,” I breathed despite how ridiculous his other statements sounded. “Okay.”

And then, without thinking, I let another word slip, one that had been lingering at the edges of my mind. “You’re going to be a daddy. My daddy.”

It was a joke, a slip, an endearment I sometimes used when we were teasing each other. But the instant it left my lips, I regretted it.

His eyes darkened immediately. His mouth curved into a smile that was all wolf and no man.

“Rowan, no,” I said quickly, my voice shooting up as a warning. “I didn’t mean-‘

99

“Toote, my love,” he murmured, his thumb sliding along my jaw.