Free Sympathy Pains by Sharon Sala Page B

head hurts like hell. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m never sick.”
    Marilee stared at him as he swallowed them down and then frowned as she thought back over the morning. He was suffering every symptom she had. Could it be... Was it possible that—?
    â€œI think I know what’s wrong with you,” she said.
    Justin frowned. “What?”
    â€œSympathy pains.”
    His frown deepened. “Sympathy pains. What the hell are those?”
    â€œIt happens sometimes...for the expectant father, I mean. He actually suffers the same physical ailments as his wife during the pregnancy.”
    Justin’s eyes widened. “Good Lord! If this is the case, I will not survive the delivery.”
    Marilee laughed out loud. “I don’t think it goes quite that far.”
    â€œThank God,” he muttered, and then grinned. “Although, if I could...I would take that pain from you, as well.”
    â€œOh, yeah right,” she said, and then playfully punched him in the chest.
    Before he thought, he had his arms around her and his mouth on her lips. The kiss was playful, but the moment they touched, it changed to one of need and desperation—and of a deep, abiding love.
    â€œOh, darlin’,” Justin whispered when he finally pulled back. “Forgive me for breaking my promise, but I’ve been wanting to do that for days.”
    Marilee sighed. This was inevitable. Maybe he didn’t love her, but she knew that he cared, and denying herself even this much of his affection was hurting her more than him.
    â€œThere’s nothing to forgive,” she said, and then cupped the side of his cheek with her hand. “Maybe I was wrong in demanding that you keep your distance. We’re married, and where you’re concerned, it’s obvious I have no pride.”
    Justin shook his head and then put his arms around her, holding her close and cherishing the bulge of belly between them. This was his woman and she was carrying his child. He was the one who’d tossed pride in the dirt.
    â€œPride doesn’t warm hearts, honey girl, but if you’ll let me, my love surely will.”
    Marilee froze. He’d said the L word. She looked up, unaware that her own feelings for him were there on her face. But Justin saw them and smiled.
    â€œYou gonna let me love you, or am I still paying penance?”
    â€œDo you mean—”
    â€œYes, I mean. You should know by now that I’m an ‘all or nothing’ kind of guy. I cared for you, even when I didn’t want to admit it. I thought of you at least once a day ever since that blizzard, but was too bullheaded to admit to myself I cared. It wasn’t until I was faced with losing you—and our baby—that I realized how much you meant to me.”
    Marilee’s features crumpled.
    â€œDarlin’, don’t cry,” Justin begged, and took her in his arms.
    â€œI have to,” Marilee said as she wrapped her arms around Justin’s waist.
    He kissed the top of her head and held her close. “Well, hell, if it makes you feel better, then you just go ahead and bawl.” Then he added, “Are you still mad at me?”
    â€œProbably,” she sobbed.
    His heart sank. “What can I do? I’ll do anything to prove that I really care.”
    She lifted her face, her cheeks streaked with tears. “I guess we could make love.” Then she rubbed her hand across the swell of her stomach. “Unless you’re too turned off by this.”
    He froze. “You don’t turn me off and you know it, or at least you should, as close as we’ve been sleeping.”
    She almost smiled.
    His eyes narrowed. “Marilee, have you been stringing me along?”
    Her lips twitched. “A little.”
    â€œYou knew I was falling in love with you, didn’t you?”
    â€œI was hoping that it was more than the baby that made you cuddle so close at