Page 34 of Come Back to Me

“Morning, Sugar. How’d ya sleep?”

Is this a trick question? How does he think I slept?

“Like shit,” I say.

It’s blunt for so early in the morning. But his body quakes against me like he’s exhaling a strangled laugh.

“Me too. Me too.” He glances over his shoulder at me and grazes his hand over my cheek, his eyes searching mine.

Without thinking, without an invitation, I crawl right into his lap. His length stiffens against me so quickly. His instant need for me is usually good for the ego. We’re so in sync. Sofamiliar with one another’s bodies by now. But this morning, it’s just a reminder of how unfair all of this is.

Leo’s fingers dig into my ass as he grinds me against his cock. My pussy already whimpers for him. My head lulls back, and his teeth gnash against my throat.

“This is so fuckin’ unfair.” His words tumble out roughly into the crook of my neck.

I rock against his length, and it sends a vibration throughout my core. Our reality is harsh. It’s cruel.

Everything logical inside me fights with my brain to form the words to tell him not to go. To beg him not to go. I need him, here, with me.

“So unfair,” I whisper.

He squeezes my hips and shoves me back a bit. “I’ve got somethin’ for you.”

At first, I assume he means his erection or morning sex. But I follow his line of vision to the nightstand where a small compass on a gold chain rests. I sit back on his knees, and he reaches for the compass.

The brassy gold is worn, but the chain is shiny. He studies the metal in his hand for a moment before opening up my palm and setting the compass in it. The piece is light, but there’s a weight to it I can’t explain. The backstory is heavy; I can already feel it as it settles in my hand.

I don’t speak. I bite my lower lip as I glance up at him and catch his eyes glossing over. My stomach tightens, and I hold my breath. Waiting but dreading at the same time for the story to follow.

“My dad gave this to me,” he starts, swallowing in between. “It was his dad’s before him.”

My thumb grazes the glass front. “It’s beautiful.”

“I want you to have it.”

“Leo, no.” I shove it at his chest. “There’s no way in hell I’m taking a family heirloom.”

He closes my fist around it, clamping his hand over mine. “My dad gave it to me before I left the ranch to come here. He told me to follow my heart. But that no matter what, this compass would help me find my way back home.”

My throat thickens, and tears prick my eyes. I shake my head.

He takes my chin in his hand, stilling me along with the whirling thoughts racing through my mind. “I followed my heart. It led me home.You’remy home.”

My heart cracks. Along with it, the dam, which has been holding back my flood of tears. “Leo…” Tiny sobs break free from my chest. I can’t find more words.

“I need you to hold onto this until I come back. Until I come back home. Please?” His eyes search mine, an unspoken plea.

I can’t resist him. I finally nod and swallow the lump in my throat.

Relief smears his expression. He unclasps the necklace and holds it out to me. I gather my hair to one shoulder, and he hooks the chain together at the nape of my neck. It drops with a heavyplunk, hitting my breastbone. It carries a weight of fear. Of responsibility.

Leo smiles. But it’s laced with sadness and apprehension. “You’re my home, Sugar.”

I wipe away my tears and throw my arms around him. The compass presses in between us.

“Just come back to me, Cowboy,” I whisper into his neck.

CHAPTER 13

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