Page 45 of Don't Leave Me

“I'm not going to let you give up that perfect woman for me! You’ve been here for a few months and have helped me more than I’ll ever be able to thank you for, but you can't lose her.”

“Come here.” I hold my arms open and laugh when she falls into them. “I’m not losing anyone. She wants to stay here for another month, then she isn't sure what she wants. I'm going to be patient and see what happens.”

“You shouldn’t put your life on hold for me,” she murmurs against my chest.

“I'm not. I told Sophia if she moves home and you no longer need my help, I might be interested in moving with her. We just started dating though, Syd. What if she breaks up with me next week because she doesn’t like how you and the kids chew like cows? This conversation would be completely pointless and a waste of time then. OW!”

I push her out of my arms and run a hand over my nipple she just pinched. She couldn’t care less. She’s still glaring at me.

“I do not chew like a cow! Maybe she should break up with you, she could do so much better.”

“Well, hold on. Let’s not go putting any ideas in her head. Can't I have a few months to make her fall madly in love with me, then you can tell her she can do better?”

“Why would you want to spend months with her, then me tell her?” Sydney stares at me like I'm insane.

“Because by then she’ll realize you’re crazy and she shouldn’t listen to you. Plus, she’ll love me too much to walk away.”

“You’re impossible,” she groans.

Chapter 19

Sophia

“Merry Christmas.” Pecker smiles as I answer the video call.

“Merry Christmas. I missed you last night.”

“Well, you’re the one that wanted to stay at Colt and Zoey’s. I wanted you all to myself.” He sticks his bottom lip out in a pout, looking far too sexy. I open my mouth to respond, but Pecker stops me. “I’m just teasing you, babe. I understand why you wanted to do it. I'm not upset. I just miss you. I feel like we’ve been practically living together since the night we went ice skating and I loved every second of it.”

“Me too. How was your morning opening presents?”

“It was good. The kids were so excited and loved all of it.”

“I feel bad I didn’t get them anything.”

“Don’t. We’ve had a busy week and they don’t expect anything from you. They’re going to Sydney’s in-laws for dinner, so they’ll get even more presents there.”

“Didn’t her ex-husband cheat on her? Isn't that weird to go to his family’s house for Christmas?” I frown. I don’t think I’d ever do that.

“Ah, I never told you the full story. Rob cheated, yes. He ran away with the woman and she’s pregnant. What he didn’t know is she was already married to a lieutenant colonel in the military. He wasnothappy when he found out and it didn’t end well for him. Rob’s family thinks he’s an idiot and wants nothing to do with him. They always loved Sydney and though they told her they understood if she didn’t want to come, they weren’t inviting Rob and they’d love to see her and the kids. She went back and forth, but ultimately decided she didn’t want to keep the kids from their family.”

“That’s… crazy.”

“Pretty much,” he chuckles. “What are you doing right now?”

“Getting dressed for Skylar’s. I'm trying to decide what I want to wear.” I rest my phone on the dresser and take a step back to show him the dress I’m currently wearing. “I'm not sure if I like it.”

“I think you look beautiful.”

“You always think I look beautiful.” I roll my eyes.

“Because you are, Soph. What other dresses were you thinking of? Give me a little fashion show.” He settles back on his bed and must prop the phone up on a pillow. I can now see his entire torso. His shirtless torso.

“Ugh, why are you shirtless when I can't touch you?”

“I don’t know, why are you pretty when I can't touch you?” He fires back. “Stop procrastinating, I want a fashion show.” He tucks his hands behind his head, making his biceps bulge.

I slowly unzip my dress, letting it pool at my feet and smirk when Pecker’s eyes go wide. His hands have been all over me while giving me a massage, but I’ve always been covered. I'm wearing a bra and a thong now, but this is the most he’s seen of me.

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