She lifts the top and I immediately recognize baby items. “This is my memory box for Sadie. I opened it tonight for the first time since she was born.”
“Are you okay?”
She shakes her head and tears form in her eyes again. “I thought I was, but I can’t stop crying.”
Leighton’s hurting, and I want to make her feel better. Even if that means I do nothing but stay by her side tonight.
I get up and take off my boots before lying down beside her on the bed. “Come here.”
She scoots close and I wrap my arm around her, pulling her body against mine. “It’s okay. Cry all you want, Leighton.”
She drapes her arm over my stomach and buries her face against the side of my chest. Her body shudders, and then she makes a gasping sound for breath.
This isn’t what I wanted tonight. This isn’t how I planned on parting ways for two months.
Can’t lie. I wanted to fuck Leighton ninety-nine different ways tonight. And I think she would have let me if the circumstances were different.
But she’s in pain. And right now I want to comfort her more than I want to fuck her.
* * *
I slept next to Leighton in her bed last night, holding her body against mine. Fully clothed. Not one single sexual act. And it was enough.
I try to pull away without waking her, but I’m unsuccessful. “It’s time for you to get up?”
“Yeah. It’s really early so go back to sleep.”
“Will you come say goodbye to me before you go?”
“Of course.”
I get into the shower and the only thing on my mind while I wash my body is the way that Leighton felt against me last night. Damn. Her small little frame and its curves fit perfectly against my body.
I close my eyes and wrap my soapy hand around my erection, imagining what it would feel like moving in and out of her. I suspect that she hasn’t been with a man in a while. I bet she’s tight as a coil, and my cock would be a snug fit inside her.
I can’t remember ever wanting a woman more, but to make a move on her at such a vulnerable time would have made me a bigger dick than her ex.
I don’t have long until it’s time to leave. I stayed in bed beside Leighton longer than I should have. But even after lying next to her all night, I wasn’t ready to leave her side when morning came.
I go into Scarlett’s nursery for a final look at her before I leave. I place my palm against her chest because I need to touch her, feel her warmth. I lean over the crib’s railing and press a kiss to her forehead. Dammit, I’m going to miss this little girl so much.
I knock on Leighton’s door before entering. “Come in.”
She gets up from where she’s sitting on the side of the bed. “Time to go?”
“Yeah.”
I could stand in front of her, searching for words to disguise the ache that I feel inside, but I don’t see the need. Not when I want her to understand that leaving is killing me—and that she’s half the reason why.
I go to Leighton, pulling her into my embrace, and hold her the same way I did last night. Her arms wrap around my middle, and her grip around me is firm.
“Dammit, I don’t want to go.”
Her grip tightens. “And I don’t want you to go.”
We move at the same time and the side of her face rubs against mine until our mouths are so close that I can feel the warmth of her breath on my skin.
I want to kiss her.