I let out a long sigh, clenching my jaw as I turn my head and press a soft kiss to the top of her head. Her hair is warm and smells like mangos and something I can’t name but never want to forget.
She shifts, her voice barely above a whisper. “That was a heavy sigh. Are you lying awake thinking?”
I glance down. Her eyes are open, soft and sleepy, gazing up at me.
Shit. I thought she was out cold.
I brush my hand along her cheek, feeling the heat of her skin under my fingertips. “Yeah. Can’t seem to switch off,” I whisper.
She rolls toward me, adjusting so she can meet my gaze more directly. “She’ll be okay. But you have to believe that, Kaden. Without hope, without faith, we have nothing.”
I swallow hard. “I know.”
Even if Kiera’s not the only thing haunting my thoughts, Effa doesn’t need that weight right now.
I shift my hand into her hair, gripping it gently. She gasps, her breath hitching as I pull her mouth to mine. I kiss her hard, intense and rough, needing her to feel how much she grounds me.
She climbs over me, our kiss deepening, tongues tangling, her body molding perfectly to mine. Every stroke of her lips against mine is like a balm to my stormy thoughts.
But just as I feel her hips start to rock, she pulls back slightly, breathless. “I want you,” she pants, lips brushing mine. “But a kiss will have to do for now.”
I chuckle, my cock semi-hard against her thigh. “Okay… but can I ask why just a kiss and not a fuck?”
“Because your sister and Gran are in the house,” she replies, matter-of-fact. “I’m being respectful while they’re here. So calm your boner and think nonsexual thoughts, mister, because you’re not getting laid for two days.”
I laugh again, genuinely amused.Fair enough.I’m pretty sure Gran and Kiera wouldn’t care either way, but Effa being mindful of my family? That earns her another gold star in my book.
“Okay, okay. Guess we’d better get some sleep then. Big day tomorrow.”
She presses a soft kiss to my chest, and something about it settles me. Her warmth seeps through my skin and wraps around my heart like armor.
“Goodnight, rocker princess,” I murmur.
She giggles. “Goodnight.”
Closing my eyes, I inhale a deep, steadying breath.
With her in my arms, the weight on my chest eases, just a little, and I let myself drift into the quiet darkness of night.
***
After a restless night, I wake feeling like the weight of the world is bearing down on my chest.
I should be happy. The three most important women in my life are all here, together. Gran, Kiera, Effa. But seeing Kiera, even with the brave face she’s putting on, is making me question everything.
Maybe I shouldn’t be out chasing money.
Maybe I should be home, spending whatever time we have left.
I don’t fucking know.
Everything boils down to money, something I can never seem to get ahead with, and like a total dumbass, all I have done is dig a deeper hole.
Kiera needs this procedure.
Gran’s on a pension.
That leaves me.
