Like he’d done the first time they’d made love, she collapsed on top of him. “If I get woken up like this every morning, I don’t think I’d mind too much.”
“I’ll see what I can do about that.” She stiffened in his arms, and he mentally berated himself for pushing too much. But then she relaxed and pressed a soft kiss over his heart.
He let his eyes drift shut as contentment at holding Cerise settled into his bones.
The next time he woke,he was by himself and could hear the shower running. The temptation to join Cerise was high, but he decided it was probably best if he didn’t; otherwise, they’d probably never leave his cabin.
He flopped back down on the pillows and thought about what he could do with Cerise today. They’d have to go get Finn from his friend’s house. He’d enjoyed showing the boy how to make s’mores and pointing out various constellations in the night sky. Finn had loved every second of it and he’d loved it as well.
“Oh good, you’re awake. I got a message from Andy’s mom to say that Finn woke up not feeling well, so I need to go get him.”
Brodie shot up from the bed. “Why didn’t you wake me when you got the message?”
Cerise walked over to him fully dressed with a towel wrapped around her head. The lemon scent from his body wash engulfed him and his body hardened, liking the smell of his soap on her. “You were sleeping so soundly. Plus, you’d worked yesterday, and I know your day off is today. Besides, Finn is my responsibility.”
Not yours.
The words weren’t spoken out loud, but he heard them all the same and a shaft of pain settled low in his belly. Did she really think he wouldn’t care?
“Oh crap, Brodie, I’m sorry. That sounded so wrong. I didn’t mean that you don’t care about him. I know you do. It’s just”—she dropped the towel she’d been rubbing her hair with on theground and sat beside him on the bed—“this is the first time he’s not feeling well and I’m not there with him.”
The pain dissipated at her words. He put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a one-arm hug. He could say nothing about how her words hurt him, but he wanted honesty in his relationship with Cerise, and that started now. “Look, I’m going to be truthful and say yeah, it cut a little, but I get it.”
“Still doesn’t make it right.”
“I know, but it’s okay. I know you’re worried but I’m sure he’ll be fine. Do you want me to come with you?”
She gnawed on the corner of her bottom lip. “I do, but I want to leave now, plus I have my car here. If he’s sick, I won’t want to have to leave him to have you drive me back here later to get my car. I have to work tomorrow, so I’ll need it.”
“How about I meet you at your house in an hour? You can get Finn settled and I’ll stop somewhere and get some chicken noodle soup. That’s the cure for all ailments, isn’t it?”
Her body relaxed against him. “Thank you. That would be great. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m glad you’re in my life, Brodie.”
“Goes both ways, Sparkles.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek because, if he kissed her on the lips, he’d never let her go. “I’ll see you soon.”
She rose from the bed, took two steps before coming back toward him and placing her hand on his cheek. “Bye.” She leaned down and her hair caressed his arm as she pressed her lips again his.
Guess she wasn’t happy with the peck on the cheek, just like he wasn’t. She broke the connection and then was out the door.
He flopped back down on the bed and closed his eyes. Was this feeling of contentment and happiness what his college buddies felt every day with their wives? If so, he didn’t want to lose it.
Cerise rubbedFinn’s back as he wretched over the toilet. They’d just walked in the door when she noticed him turning green and rushed him to the bathroom in the nick of time.
“I’m never going to let Andy talk me into sneaking caramel popcorn, gummy bears and Dr. Pepper into his room, so we can eat it at four in the morning again,” he whimpered as he sat back after flushing the toilet.
“Yeah, buddy, not the best combination. How do you feel?”
“Better. My stomach has stopped hurting.”
“That’s good.” She got up and wet a washcloth with warm water before wiping it over his face. “Why don’t you rinse your mouth out and get into bed? I’ll bring you water with some electrolytes, as well as dry crackers you can nibble on.”
“Okay.” Tears welled in his eyes. “I’m sorry.”
Pulling him into a hug, she kissed the top of his head. “It’s okay. These things happen. You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. I’m just glad we made it home. It would’ve been gross to have to clean my car out.”
As she hoped he gave a little laugh. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Okay, well, get cleaned up and then get into bed.”
