Page 213 of Mountain Daddy

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And I hold her tighter.

I cling to her.

I grip the hand she has on my chest in my own.

I’d like you to stay.

This is so much more than I deserve.

She’s so much more.

But I tried living without her already, and I was no good at it.

So I might not deserve a second chance, but if she gives it to me, I’m going to take it.

I’m taking it, and I’m never letting it go.

Something warm moves beside me,pulling me out of sleep.

Light filters into the room, and I blink my eyes open, focusing on the woman tucked into my side.

Kendra makes a humming sound, and her fingers twitch under mine.

I run my hand up her side.

She’s such a stunning creature.

Beautiful, smart, funny.

Strong, tough, independent.

She doesn’t need me.

Maybe never will.

But that’s okay.

I don’t need her to need me.

I just need her to want me.

I want you to stay.

I close my eyes as I replay her words.

There’s so much to make right, but it’s a start.

A clatter sounds from somewhere in the house, and my eyes snap back open.

Shit.

My gaze jerks to the door, then back to the early morning sunshine creeping in around the curtains.

Double shit.

I press my lips to Kendra’s hair. “Baby, I gotta go.”

I have no right to call her that. Especially when I remember the way she reacted the last time I almost called her that.

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