Chapter 6

Derek-

"What have you been up to?" I couldn't hold back the smile when my eyes caught her beautiful smile.

"I've actually been reading this book for three hours The Ghost Bride it's always been one of my favorites since the day it was published about three years ago? But that's not all I've been doing though I also heated up spaghetti to eat and...then I fell asleep while watching this movie." She giggled as if she wasn't sure if I would believe her.

I admired her laugh with a smile. "Would you like to go out on an evening walk with me?" I asked without really thinking.

"Yes, I'd love to I could use a bit of the exercise after lazing around the house all day."

Thank goodness? I thought to myself. I wanted to tell her something that had been on my mind since last night. During work hours I tried to think of a way to tell her and the only way would be after the evening walk. So I could think things through first.

I took a hold of her hand and lead her to the closest to get her coat and helped her put it on. When she zipped it up I took her hand once again and walked out of the apartment and out into the cold winter breeze in the big city.

I kept my eyes straight ahead with the thoughts that flooded my mind forcing me to confess what I wanted to say. But I held back I had to wait until she seemed more comfortable with me. And though it had only been three days to know her that's all that it took in that short time for me to fall in love with her.

I looked up into the night sky breathing in the cold air that froze my lungs. Grace's hand fit oh so nicely in mine and walked so close by my side hoping to keep warm.

"Can we get ice cream I've been craving it all day?" She asked resting her head against his arm.

"That's alright but don't you think it's too cold to eat ice cream?"

Without a word said a cheeky smile appeared on her face then I was pulled by the arm and forced into a jog.

"Hey, hey wait a minute should you be running during your pregnancy?"

"Come on let's go stop being so concerned it's only up there it's not like I'm running a marathon."

"I can't help but feel concerned? I hardly know anything that may be good or bad for an unborn child? And women are all confusing to me you know I've never been with a woman I've never even planned to be with one...until recently? But all the women I've run into unintentionally only ever wanted to try and sleep with me because of my good figure?"

"Well, it's a good thing you ran into me then because I'm unlike most women and you'll learn a bit from me, especially my mood swings those can change at any moment at any time in a day with this child so I hope you can deal with me for some time until I can get my life together?"

I held the door of the ice cream shop open with a few words. "What type of mood swings are we talking about here?"

"If you really want to know my mood swings can change to, me being happy, to, offended to really upset you know like the red puffed face full of tears? Then there's also anger it's obviously different from being offended I can become angry real quick even in between my other mood swings." She told familiar with herself during her two-month pregnancy.

"What can I help you both with?" The elderly man behind the counter asked with a gentle smile.

"I'll have one scoop of vanilla please."

"And you miss what would you like?"

"Strawberry please."

As I waited patiently for the ice cream at the counter Grace sat down on the small sofa to rest her tired feet. When the bell above the door rang I looked over to see a well-built young man walk in and take a seat next to her on the sofa.

I wasn't sure what he told her but I understood what Grace had told him clearly. She locked eyes with me and the man did the same to see what she looked at. Though she had told him she was pregnant I had no idea why she looked at me in such a shy way?

"Vanilla and a strawberry?"

"Thank you," I said taking the ice cream from him. Grace hurried back to her feet and swiftly made her way up to me and took my hand and her ice cream. We continued our walk in the city while enjoying our ice cream and making small chit-chats before heading back home.

We walked through the park only for a short while when the time seemed to pass so much quicker when not paying attention to it.

I had everything planned in my head but when we stood in the living room in silence things changed in an instant when I grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her into me and intentionally pressed her lips against mine.

my heart raced out of fear she wouldn't accept my first kiss after all she had been forced into loving a man who caused pain and fear in her life.

She didn't try to push me away she only stood there I wasn't sure what to think of that and only pulled away slightly when two arms pulled my head forcefully forward causing a collision between us.

The taste of her lips was like the strawberry ice cream she had, eaten a moment ago. It was sweet just as she was.

Taking a breath I whispered. "Grace?" And picked her up off her feet for a short period when I sat down on the sofa with Grace on my lap resting her head against my shoulder I kissed her once more. "Are you tired?" I asked stroking her back gently.

Without a reply, I said. "Grace, can I ask you something?"

"Mhm, what is it?"

"Well uh, I want to ask you if you would stay with me but as my girlfriend?" I felt panicked not knowing what she was going to say. She could effortlessly say no and everything would become awkward between us or possibly leave without a trace or goodbye.

"Derek?"

"Huh?"

"Do you really want my answer?"

"Yes, Grace...I want your answer, tell me your answer?" I told needing to hear her say it.

It became so quiet I could hear my own breathing. "Wh-" before I could even finish the first word Grace stopped me with a long sloppy kiss and a wandering hand that lead to untucking the shirt.

"Mm mhm?! Grace no your making me feel nervous?"

"Just once?"

"One time can lead to numerous times and numerous times can lead to lusting, I don't want you to lust over me I want you to see me as I see you?"

"Are you insecure about your body?" She asked with a slanted brow.

"No, I'm not there's no reason for me to be. And I thought you were tired where did all the energy come from?"

"I was but now that you asked me out I feel excited and if my answer wasn't clear enough for you it's a yes."

"Oh wow really?" I felt so many emotions at once hearing that answer come from her lips. I couldn't hold back the excitement that overpowered every single thought that may have filled my mind.

I kissed her ever so lightly across her jaw before making it to her soft lips. She was mine and no one else could take her away not even Logan. Even if he used all his power to try and destroy her and the child's life he will pay for everything he had done in the end.

"Keep going that feels absolutely fantastic it's like a massage on my face?"

I paused to laugh at her request. "You are absolutely out of your mind what makes you think I'd do as you say when there's so much more we could be doing tonight together?" I got onto my feet and walked to the kitchen.

"Huh?! Wait what's that supposed to mean?"

Ignoring her I set her down on the counter and opened the fridge and took out a cold water jug and a cup from the cabinet. Though I couldn't see her I could feel her watching my every move as if I was going to do something frightening at any moment. But I was only making a protein drink before bed as I have always done.

"Why are you ignoring me?" She began to whine. "I'm your girlfriend your not supposed to ignore me?"

I chuckled with my back turned. "You're cute you know that?"

"Oh shut up I am not you jerk!"

"You are and there's no denying it." Stepping closer to the counter I took her into my arms for a hug. "Do you want a snack before we head to bed?"

"Oh yeah, I want a big snack." She told with a smirk.

"I feel a bit uneasy thinking you're not talking about an actual snack?"

"Your right I'm not." She pulled me closer to the counter with her legs that wrapped around my waist. "I'm, taking, about you."

"Hey, no we're not doing this." I strictly told. "And where is all this coming from why are you acting all horny all of a sudden, it couldn't be because of that kiss?"

"I'm not horny?"

"Okay, what is it you want the most right now?"

"Now you got me thinking about it?" Her face flushed red as she spoke.

"What is it?" I asked once more.

"Well it's...could I? No, we go topless tonight in bed?"

"Oh, sweet heavens Grace don't fill my mind with such foolishness."

She sat in silence with a frown as if ready to cry at any moment. It had to do with the mood swings she talked about earlier she was really going to cry over the fact I wouldn't sleep next to her while we were both topless?

"Okay how about this, I'll take my shirt off right now and keep it off till morning but you will keep yours on?" It was hardly even an exchanged request when I only slept in pajama pants or sweats at night anyway.

Button by button and two widened eyes darted at my chest impatient it was odd she had told me she wasn't unlike most women but she was, acting like most women she wasn't like?

"Close your eyes?" I told feeling uneasy with her staring.

When she closed her eyes obediently I unbuttoned the rest quicker than I was doing before she became impatient again. I pulled my arms out of the sleeves and laid the shirt on the side of the counter. I knew what I was doing was stupid but I knew she would want to but then hesitate.

I took her hand and kissed her knuckle and placed it against my chest then I kissed her in a passionate motion as her fingers brushed again my skin.

******

Thirty minutes later.

I took the last few sips of my protein drink and feeling exhausted I almost forgot about Grace who was still sitting on the counter half asleep. I picked her up and small whimpers left her body. "I'm sorry it's alright?" I flipped the light switch off in the kitchen and made my way to my bedroom in complete darkness.

When I entered I place her down on the mattress and covered her up with the sheets then I hurried and changed out of my socks shoes and pants and into sweats before she could possibly wake up since she was known to be a light sleeper.

I laid in bed and moved closer over to Grace who was fast asleep and rested my arm over her waist and my hand over her small belly.