Not a claim.
And that somehow scared me more than anything he’d ever done before.
A week later, Morgan had her ballet recital.
Creed showed up without being asked.
He slipped into the seat beside me just as the lights dimmed.Morgan’s face lit up when she saw him.Afterward, she ran into his arms, and he crouched to her level, his hands steady on her shoulders.
“You were incredible,” he told her.
Morgan’s face lit up.“Did you see when I almost fell?”
He smiled.“You recovered like a pro.”
She giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck.My chest squeezed painfully.
When Morgan skipped off to join the other girls, Creed straightened.Our eyes met.
“You didn’t have to come,” I said.
His gaze sharpened.“I wanted to.”
“She’s getting attached.”
Creed nodded.“I know.”
“She’ll expect you to stay.”
“I plan to.”
He stepped closer, his body brushing against mine in the crowded hallway.
My breath hitched.
“Are you?”I whispered.
His mouth brushed my temple.“Watch me.”
Nights were harder.
He never stayed.
After dinner, after walks through my neighborhood where he held my hand like it belonged there, he kissed me at the door and left.
It drove me insane.
One night, after the girls were asleep, I opened the door to find him there.Suit rumpled.Tie gone.Eyes dark.
“I couldn’t stay away,” he said.
“You promised me time.”
“I’m trying,” he said.“But I don’t want to lie about wanting you.”
“You’re dangerous,” I whispered.
He smiled faintly.“You already knew that.”
