A brief escape

[Zack's pov]

I had fallen asleep with Stella in my arms that night.

It had become a habit of ours ever since the news of her pregnancy had settled.

At this point she was about five months along and her condition was clearly showing.

It was doing something to me.

Something about seeing her like that, was utterly attractive to me and it made me want to claim her all over again.

Knowing that she was carrying my offspring gave me a sense of both pride and what I could only describe as ownership.

She was mine.

Only mine.

At least for the time being.

I was happier than I had been in a very long time.

Actually, I could not remember ever being that happy.

As I lay there watching her sleeping face, I was struck by a strange feeling.

I felt a strong need to protect her and the life growing inside her, at all costs.

The mere thought of anything happening to either of them, made my heart sink.

I loved this woman more than any words could possibly explain.