Page 88 of The Long Game

“At first, I was jealous.”

“Really? Jealous why?”

“I’ve always wanted that house. Since high school I imagined…”

He turns to me, intent on every work I say next. “Imagined what?”

“That I would have a future in that house. That it would be me cooking in that kitchen. Me doing the laundry in the second story laundry room. Me bringing home our first baby…”

“Ourfirst baby?” he asks.

I don’t correct my slip up… because it’s not a mistake. And with everything he admitted in my office earlier, it’s time we both came clean.

He puts both of his hands on my hips and hauls my body up over his, settling me in his lap.

“Tucker…” I say in warning. Mostly because I can’t trust myself.

“I need you closer.”

I give in.

“Truth or Dare?” I ask.

“Truth.”

“Why didn’t you stay that night after college admissions.”

“I wanted to Lex. I came to tell you that I wanted to be with you and that we could make it work when I went to college. There is nothing more that I wanted then to take you upstairs and spend the night inside you… but I just couldn’t.” He takes my hands in his and watches as I grip them back. “I came to you that night because my nightmares were getting worse. I wanted to stay the night with you because I knew my dreams wouldn’t come if youwere in my arms. I had to know you were ok when I woke up from one, seeing you… feeling you breathing.”

“The dreams… of your mother?”

“No, of you.”

I shake my head. I can’t think of why I would bring him nightmares.

“I used to have nightmares about my mother’s death. The image of her casket getting lowered – of the handfuls of dirt people tossed in with her… it’s a weird tradition.” He shakes out the thought.

“But then after you almost died in my arms, the nightmares about my mother became nightmares about you. All the same things played out the way they did on that dock. Except I couldn’t revive you. I couldn’t bring you back. You died in my arms and there was nothing I could do about it.” Tucker’s eyes start to redden, and he looks like a beaten man. He hangs his head and I instinctively push up on my knees and wrap my arms around his shoulders. He watches every move I make. His hands gliding around my hips. His grip is demanding; it’s hard to deny him when being in his hands comforts us both.

“Do you still have them? How long has this been going on for?”

“I started having them a week after the accident. I’ve had them ever since, but the frequency has increased. I have them a few nights a month.”

“You have the same recurring nightmare a few times a month? Is there anything that helps? Maybe a sleeping aid or a warm bath before bed?”

“Yeah, there is one thing that helps. You, sleeping in my arms. I don’t have the nightmares when I’m holding you.” He pulls me closer to him, his eyes seeing the tears welling in mine. His fingers soothe my back as he sees how much this is hitting me. “Truth or Dare, Lex.” I can’t handle any more truths.

“Dare,” I say, hoping to get a break from this confessional.

“Let me keep you after tonight.”

I nod. There’s nothing I want more than to be with by this man.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Tucker

Lexi agrees to my dare. She presses her sweet lips against mine and wraps her arms around my shoulders, pushing her breasts against my chest. I can’t hold back anymore. I need her.

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