I pushed Ben’s stroller through the park after them just as the streetlights cameon.
We bathed the kids, then Callie read to Addison as I watched in awe from the small bedroom doorway. I savored the moment, trying to ignore the strange lump that filled mythroat.
When the story ended, Callie tucked the covers to just under Addison’s chin and gave her a small kiss on the forehead. “Goodnight, littleprincess.”
“Night, Callie,” she said, flinging her arms out from the blankets and plopping them along her side. Callie shifted off the bed and started to walk for the door, her hand reaching for the light switch. “Now kiss Daddy goodnight,too!”
The kid was trying to killme.
I closed my eyes and hung my head down as something between a chuckle and frustrated groan rumbled up from my throat. I bet Addison pictured Callie tucking me in and reading me the same story; a quick peck on the forehead as the cherry ontop.
I was about to lift my head and say something snarky when warm lips pressed softly against my cheek. The scent of strawberries and wildflowers fell over me, confusing all my senses. My eyes snapped opened, and there she was, a breath away from me, beautiful, healthy, full of lifeCallie.
She leaned toward me, balanced on her tiptoes, completely oblivious to my internal struggle. “Goodnight,” she whispered, her warm breath tickling along my throat. I steadied myself against the wall, desperately trying to restrain myself from offering her a real kissgoodnight.
God forgive me, I leaned closer and took a deep breathin.
A small gasp escaped through her lips, and I was instantly dizzy. My heart thundered and stuttered against my ribs, making me breathless. Everything in my body coiled tightly and throbbed hard—my head, my eyes, my fingers, mycock.
“Shit,” I murmured under my breath, thudding the back of my head against thewall.
Addison giggled from her bed, but I barely heard her. I was too enraptured with the way Callie’s eyes were fixed on mine, and how similarly heavy we were both breathing. Her chest matched mine in huffs, like something, some kind of dangerous, violent storm was happening in the air between us, depleting us both ofoxygen.
“I need you,” I stammered, nodding myhead.
“What?” she asked. God, I think she moved closer. The room wasspinning.
“Tomorrow,” I quickly covered up. “You’re right. I do need you. Tomorrow. I need you.”Fuck, what was I doing?This was too much temptation. It wasn’t safe. I needed to fix my marriage, my wife.My wife who wanted adivorce.
“Sure, okay,” she said, taking a step back. “Tomorrow.”
I bit down on my tongue so I wouldn’t ask her to stay thenight.
It bled for a good twentyminutes.
