Page 61 of An Endless Memory

I stayed where I was, not moving. Was it wrong to enjoy this while he was sleeping? Was I crossing a line with my husband?

But he’d stayed in bed last night. A small tendril of hope wound around my heart. If I let it cinch tight, it’d cleave the organ right in two.

This guy could break my heart.

My divorce had devastated me. I lost my job and my home and I’d had to embark on a journey of single parenthood. But losing Carter hadn’t been what got me down. His betrayal, yes. The idea that I didn’t have the marriage I wanted, that I knew it had fallen so short of what I had dreamed of was what had throttled me. Moving home. That had kicked me while I was down. But ending my relationship with my husband? No. Of all the issues I’d gone through at that point, every one of them ranked higher than the actual breakup.

This man was dangerous. He would be so easy to fall for.

I could feel myself drifting…spinning…

Oh shit—was I going to throw up again?

I sat up. The room spun. I pressed my fingers to my head.

The bed shifted and he rose. “You feeling okay?”

Oh god, the morning roughness to his voice was all male. A complete turn-on.

“No,” I croaked. The mix of emotions inside of me was at odds. My stomach wasn’t protesting. I was unbalanced, but it had nothing to do with the illness that had swept through the family last week. “I’m better.”

My hormones were going wild. It didn’t help I was in bed with the hottest man I’d ever seen.

A glass of water appeared at my elbow. “I can get you cold juice, but maybe try a few sips of water and see if you can keep them down.”

I nodded and took the water. “Thanks.”

Kellan grunted, his little sleeper rustling against the sheet in his bassinet.

“I’ll grab him when I get back,” Eliot said.

“Why don’t you find something to eat?” I took a sip of water. “I’ll feed him and clean up. If I make it through that, then I should be fine today. I’ll probably just watch movies with Cali all day.”

I glanced over my shoulder. His eyes were hooded, but he was watching me. Was I imagining the hurt in his eyes? Did he think I was kicking him out?

I licked my dry lips. I’d need more than a few sips of water to feel normal again. “We’ve all had a rough week. If you feel like you’ve missed out on all the latest Disney movies, you’re welcome to stay.” I summoned a weak smile. “Cali would be delighted.”

His answering grin sent my stomach into another somersault. “Since she’s the one who called me, sure.”

“I’d like you to stay, too, but I’m afraid I’ll get you sick.”

“After last night, I’ve already tempted fate. Don’t worry about it. It’s been a while since I’ve had more than the bottle flu.”

“You’re missing work.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m missing work, Lily pad.” He stood and stretched with his hands high above his head.

I practically pivoted on the bed to watch the way his shirt crept up beyond his waistband to reveal the bronzed flesh of his back. His butt was clenched and his legs were strong posts.

I should not be filled with this much desire after being so sick. He’d taken care of me. He’d cuddled with me without grumbling. He was still making sure I had what I needed. Of course, I wanted to finish what started with that kiss in my kitchen all those weeks ago.

Wasn’t it that very mini make-out session that had kept him away for a month and a half? He was busy, but he’d also made those other times work.

The confusion didn’t help my dehydrated brain.

He brought his arms down and rolled his neck from side to side. “I’ll get some grub for Cali too. Take your time.” He pinned me with a firm stare. Did he catch me staring at his marbled ass? “And call for me if you think you’re going to be sick.”

I nodded, feeling absolutely and utterly cherished. I was the spoiled one, according to my siblings. The girl who took on too much and needed to be looked after because there were so many older brothers and sisters who made me their responsibility.

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