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"Whose fault is that?" she mutters.

"Yours."

She pins her eyebrows together. "Mine?"

I run my knuckles over her hip. "You showed up at my door with no bra or panties on. What the hell was I supposed to do?"

She groans and buries her face in the pillow.

I laugh and pull the covers higher around her. "Sleep, darlin'. I'll go see Charlie and be back before you know it."

She turns her face enough to look at me. "Promise?"

I lean down and kiss her. "I promise."

Her hand curls around my wrist. "Okay."

I kiss her again, slower this time.

"Mm. You're not making it easy for me to let you leave," she mumbles between kisses.

I chuckle again and force myself out of bed before I decide Charlie can wait another hour. I pull the blankets back over Lainey's shoulder.

She closes her eyes, and I watch her until her breathing turns deep and even.

That didn't take long.

A stupid amount of satisfaction rolls through me. I wore her out and nothing makes me happier.

I quietly grab my clothes and leave the bedroom. Ten minutes later, I'm dressed, my teeth are brushed, and I'm crossing the short stretch between my house and the Butterfly House. Snow still covers the ground, but the sky's clearing. Sunlight catches on the white blanket across the ranch, making the whole place brighter. I climb the porch steps and knock softly.

A few seconds later, Lorraine opens the door wearing a robe over her pajamas. Her eyes immediately go past me. "Where's Lainey?"

"Still asleep."

Her gaze comes back to mine. One eyebrow rises.

I clear my throat. "Did you sleep well?"

She continues staring at me.

Well, this is fucking uncomfortable.

Her eyebrow lifts higher.

I offer, "She was tired. I'm letting her sleep."

"I imagine she was."

Jesus Christ.

I rub the back of my neck. "Can I come in and see my daughter?"

Lorraine's mouth twitches before she steps aside. "Get in here before you let all the heat out."

"Yes, ma'am." I step inside and shut the door. "Did Charlie keep you up all night?"

"No. Just a little."