However, I do lean down and press the softest of kisses on her forehead.
“You have no idea how much I adore you, Peaches,” I murmur, brushing some of her hair off her cheek. “I’ve heard what some of the people around here say about me. That I’m too young, too foolish to believe that I’d ever stand a chance with a woman like you. I know I don’t deserve you, because you deserve the world. That doesn’t mean I won’t stop trying to give you everything that I can. Even if you never feel the same way about me, I’m forever yours, sweet girl.”
Leaving her to get some rest, I head into the bathroom for a quick shower and change into something clean from the bag I’d brought over the first night.
I lay on the couch, looking out the window as the moonlight streams in, and I wish for nothing more than to be in the bed next to her.
We’ve done that before, slept in the same bed. Every time I got the best rest of my life because I knew everything was right in the world.
I could go crawl into bed with her, but I won’t because I won’t get any sleep. I’d just stare at her like a creep and bite my tongue to keep from confessing everything I feel for her and begging her to give me a chance.
I was so damn close to kissing her at the doctor's office, her lips were less than an inch from mine. Restraining myself was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.
But I can’t be the one to blur those lines, to push past them into new territory.
If Lexi wants me, I’m hers, but she has to be the one to make that change.
I’m just done plating the fried eggs and bacon when Lexi comes down the stairs. “Morning, Peaches,” I chuckle. Her hair is rumpled, and there’s an adorable, sleepy look on her face.
“You made food.” Her voice is raspy from sleep, and I’m glad I’m standing behind the island, or she’d see just how hard I am from simply the sound of her voice.
“I did,” I confirm, placing the plate on the kitchen island as she sits at one of the stools on the other side. “Just like I do every time I’m over.”
“Thanks.” She gives me a soft smile. “What would I do without you?” she sighs, taking a bite.
You’re never going to have to find out. Not if I can help it.
After making a plate for myself, I take a seat next to her. “So,” I say. “I’ve talked to Silva, and you’re taking a few nights off.”
“What?” She frowns up at me.
“And so am I.”
She shakes her head. “Emmett, you can’t do that.”
“I can, and I did. You are stressed, and it has me worried. So, we’re going to go to the cabin for a few days. I already have my truck packed with everything we’re going to need.”
She gapes at me. “Emmett. No.”
“Yes.” I raise a brow.
She glares at me, but thankfully doesn't put up a fight.Huh, that was easy.Too easy. Lexi takes her job seriously. She hardly takes any days off. She doesn’t need the money, but she works anyway.
She, her sister, and the other women who founded Widows Peak are like royalty here, in a way. They won’t ever want for anything, but they don’t take advantage of that fact and work just like everyone else.
“I need to pack,” she says after she’s done eating. “And shower.”
I nod. “I’m going to go out and grab a few more last-minute things. I’ll be back in an hour. Is that going to be long enough?”
She looks at me with tired eyes and nods her head. “Yeah.”
Damn it, I hate seeing her hurting.
Almost two hours later, we’re in my truck, headed up the very shitty, bumpy road that leads deeper into the mountains. It’s not far from town, but enough to have some privacy.
Once I got my life established in Widows Peak, I brought up the idea to Lexi of always wanting to own a cabin. When I was younger, around ten, my father would take me on his hunting and fishing trips with his buddies. He worked a lot, and I didn’t get to spend much time with him, so getting days to hang out with him was amazing. Some of my best memories.
Then he got sick, and Mom left. Life went downhill, and the rest, well, it was depressing as fuck.
