His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 272: Sharing a Bed

Iris froze for a moment before opening her eyes to look at him, puzzled. "Why would you need to do that?"

"Your bump is getting bigger. I worry something might happen during the night. When I can't see you, it keeps me up—I just don't sleep well."

"No," Iris refused flatly.

Julian took a slow breath. "Then let me stay in your room."

Pressing her lips together, Iris kept shaking her head.

Julian stopped massaging her feet. He let out a quiet sigh and lay back against the pillow, propping his head up on one hand as he turned to face her. "I'll sleep on the floor."

Iris glanced up at him through half-closed eyes and shook her head again.

Julian reached over and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Later in the pregnancy, your belly's only going to get bigger and you'll be more uncomfortable. If I'm here, I can give you a rub, bring you water, help you to the bathroom—take care of whatever you need, right by your side. Wouldn't that be better?"

Iris let out a soft, sleepy laugh, her morning voice still heavy with sleep. "You think I don't see what you're really after?"

"I only want to look after you. What else would I be after?"

Iris rolled onto her side to meet his gaze. "I'm pregnant, and you use that as an excuse to share my bed. Then once the baby comes, you'll say you're here to help with the baby and me—and before I know it, you'll never leave. Next thing, you'll be talking about a second kid, then a third."

Julian's smile slowly widened. His eyes crinkled, warm and hopeful, his gaze growing more intense by the second.

Seeing how pleased he looked, Iris punched him lightly in the solid muscle of his chest. "I knew it. That's exactly what you were thinking."

The moment her fist landed, Julian's large hand closed gently around it, pressing her knuckles against his heartbeat. "I hadn't actually thought about a second baby. But now that you've brought it up, of course I'm happy."

Iris pursed her lips, feigning irritation. "Still no. You can't stay over."

Julian brought her hand to his lips and brushed a soft kiss across her fingers. His voice was low but final. "You handle the big decisions. I'll handle small ones like this. It's settled."

"You're getting more overbearing by the day."

A low chuckle escaped him, his Adam's apple bobbing lightly. He watched her with a gaze that felt almost tangible, but said nothing more.

The look in his eyes was magnetic, impossible to ignore.

Under his stare, warmth spread through Iris' body. Her pulse quickened, and she instinctively glanced away. "What time is it?"

"Just past seven. Go back to sleep."

"Can you leave, then?"

"No."

Iris drew a slow breath and turned her back to him.

Julian shifted closer, sliding one arm around her waist and carefully drawing her into the curve of his body.

Her back met the firm warmth of his chest. Iris stiffened, her heart suddenly racing. Nervousness tightened her limbs, and her breathing grew uneven.

Just as restlessness began to stir inside her, Julian buried his face in her hair. He inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly, his chest rising against her back. His broad hand settled possessively over the curve of her belly.

His breath felt scorching against her skin, sending a weak, tingling sensation through her—along with a fresh wave of tension.

"Iris, you smell incredible." Julian's voice was rough, barely more than a breath against her ear, husky and thick.

Iris gripped the sheet nervously. She didn't push him away, but she didn't know how to respond either. Instead, she quickly changed the subject. "It's been over two months since I've been away. Have my mom, my brother, or my best friend tried to reach me?"

Julian's reply was quiet. "They did. I posted a story on your Instagram—'Traveling, off the grid'—and then powered off your phone."

"Are you planning to keep me locked away forever?" Iris asked, her voice tinged with sadness.

Julian's arm tightened around her slightly, drawing her nearer. He rested his cheek against the nape of her neck, his lips almost brushing her skin.

His warm breath sent a shiver through her. Her muscles tensed further, her heart drumming faster against her ribs.

"If having your baby isn't enough to make you stay, then yes—I'll keep you with me forever."

By now, Iris didn't truly mind being near him, but she still spoke from the heart. "You scare me sometimes."

Julian gave a faint, bittersweet smile. "You're too rational, too guarded. You have no idea how deep an obsession can grow after loving someone for more than ten years... or how much it hurts to lose them all over again."

Iris drifted back to sleep. When she woke again, it was half past nine. Julian was already gone.

She had breakfast and headed to the lab to work.

Most days, Julian rushed back around lunchtime to eat with her. But today, there was no sign of him.

Eventually, she asked Freya, "Is Mr. Everhart not coming home for lunch?"

Freya answered politely, "No, Ms. Whitlow. Would you like me to reach out to him? I can have security give him a call."

An odd sense of disappointment settled over Iris. "No, that's alright."

After lunch, she returned to the lab.

She worked straight through the afternoon. Sitting for too long left her lower back and hips aching, and her calves grew stiff and uncomfortable.

Her mood gradually turned edgy.

Taking her mug, she headed downstairs.

Freya was crouched near the cabinet, wiping it down. She stood when she heard Iris approach. "Ms. Whitlow, are you hungry? Would you like dinner a little earlier today?"

Iris glanced at the wall clock. It was already five-thirty in the evening.

"Is Mr. Everhart back yet?" she asked.