Make me happy again.
I need her to leave.
I need to breathe the same air as you.
I hate this.
Shocking me outof my thoughts, rough hands tug my thighs to the edge of the bed.
I don’t open my eyes when his lips land on mine. He coaxes me. His hands reacquaint themselves with my body. And God help me, I can’t help but respond.
“I like the boots,” his voice growls into my mouth.
I’m torn between crying and wrapping my legs around his waist. What kind of a person am I if I want to have one more magical night with him?
Only it won’t be magical, knowing how he really feels.
I push against his chest and turn my head. When he realizes I’m not with him, he pulls away and looks down at me.
His fathomless emerald eyes are inches from mine, and yet I don’t want to meet his gaze.
“I have a headache.” I drop my lashes and stare at his chin. With the top of his shirt unbuttoned, it’s easy to see his sun-burnished throat and chest. His cologne mingles enticingly with hard work and man. His skin would taste salty right now, but I resist pressing my mouth against his pulse.
Gentle fingers brush across my forehead. He plays with my hair and then massages my temples. I lose any resistance when he presses his lips on my eyelids.
How can this not be love?
Of their own volition, my hands are in his hair, tugging him into me. Holding on to him. Afraid to let him go.
I can’t halt the tears.
“Hey, sugar. Isa.” His voice. I’ve lived to hear this voice. “Did you take some Tylenol? Aspirin?”
I don’t know what to say to him, so I just nod.
And then he’s removing my new boots. He believes I’m in pain. Only he thinks it’s my head when it’s really my heart.
He returns with my soft nightshirt, helps me out of my jeans and unbuttons my shirt. I hide my breasts from him when he unstraps my bra. I’ve never felt the need to hide myself from him, but everything is different now.
I keep my eyes closed. I wish I understood how he could be this way.
He turns on a soft lamp and pulls down the cover.
All the while he’s whispering soothing words to me. He’s concerned.
Of course, he’s concerned. How can he break up with me when I’m such an obvious mess? Why can’t I hate him?
If this isn’t love I’m feeling from him then what the hell is it?
CHAPTER NINE
Tucker
Ihold Isauntil she falls asleep. This has been harder on her than I thought it would be. My heart cracks. I need to do something to ease the tension for her. I love my family, but they can be so damn complicated.
I don’t want to let go of her. I want to lie here until she tells me all about her day. Had she been that upset about Cassidy driving off without waiting for her? Something else must have happened, but I don’t want to push if she doesn’t feel well. I touch my mouth to her temple.
Her scent intoxicates me. I love how her hair feels when delicate tendrils caress my throat and face. I miss her smile tonight.
