Page 158 of Time To Learn

When Ailith wraps her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly, I breathe in her sweetness, hoping it won’t be long until I see her smiling brightly at me again.

“You’re my home,” I whisper into her ear before I press a quick kiss to her temple. “I swear I’ll come home as fast as Ican.”

She sniffles once, nodding against my shoulder, before I reluctantly let her go. As I straighten my back, I give her a small smile and then take a step towards Laura.

Placing my hands in the back pocket of my jeans, I wish I could say everything my heart is screaming at me to say to this strong woman who means more than the world tome.

Tell me tostay.

Marryme.

Bemine.

But…the words remain hidden, lodged in my throat. Instead, I shuffle my feet and nod once at Wenn. The sympathy in her eyes makes me realise how much I’ll miss her aswell.

“Take care of my girls?” I askher.

She smiles gently at me and grabs Ailith’s hand in hers, squeezing it. I can’t bring myself to look at my girl for too long, or I’ll never go. And I haveto.

“Always, lad. You just do what you have to do and get back to us when youcan.”

I turn my head to Laura, still feeling utterly hopeless at the dull look in her eyes. Where’s the sparkle? The fiery passion? Where isshe?

“Come, Ailith,” Wenn’s voice breaks my thoughts and I raise my eyes at them, “let’s give your mum and Kristian a bit of privacy.”

Before she passes me, she gives me a one-armed hug, and with a small wave from Ailith, they leave us alone.

“So,” I blow out a long exhale and straighten my back, “aren’t you going to kiss me goodbye?”

Laura’s head snaps to me, and I gasp softly at the heartache shining back at me now. Panic hits me in my heart when she starts to shake her head, and I take a step closer and wrap my arms around her waist. Almost desperate, I yank her towards me as the need to feel her close to me flares up, setting my own skin on fire. Her back is as stiff as a board, and I huff, frustrated that she won’t melt into my arms like she usuallydoes.

“Don’t do this,” I beg on a broken whisper, the breaths of our lips blending together, we’re that close. “Don’t deny me one more taste, sweetheart. I can’t bearit.”

“I don’t think I can,” she whispers, her voice as uneven asmine.

I shake her a little, overwhelmed with agony.

“This is not a forever goodbye, wildcat,” I growl. “If you even think that for a second, I’m going to spank that pretty arse of yours until you won’t be able to sit still for a week. You hearme?”

“What?!” Her eyes widen, no doubt shocked I’d even suggest such a thing. “How dare you? Just go, Kristian. Let me go cry in peace, okay? I’m barely holding on, and you delaying like this?” She pushes my arms, but I refuse to loosen my tight hold on her. “Ugh,” she puffs.

“Why won’t you listen to me?” I mutter. “I’ll be back before you know it. Why do you refuse to believe that? Why?”

Tears spill down her cheeks and I rest my forehead on hers. Her anguish shattersme.

“Because it hurts, Kristian,” she sobs, her small body trembling violently in my arms. I strengthen my hold, trying to hold all the pieces wrapped up in myarms.

“It hurts like nothing ever has before. And…” Her breath hitches as she blinks through her tears. “And I’m afraid.”

“Tell me why,” Ibeg.

“I…I wrote you a letter last night,” she starts, only confusing me even further. She leans away from me and pulls out a long, wrinkled envelope from her back pocket and hands it to me. I hesitate for a beat, but then take it carefully from her outstretched hand. It feels like I’m holding a live snake between my fingers.

“Why? Is this a Dear John letter?” I snap. “Because I will fucking not acceptthat.”

Laura shakes her head and I feel slightly mollified at the loving way her eyes roam myface.

“It’s not. Promise me you won’t read it until you’re up in the air?” she breathes.