Page 101 of A Love Like That

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Is that what you want?”

Fuck no.“I don’t want to hurt the kids.”

“You’re going to hurt them much more by leaving.” His voice was so low I barely heard it.

My shoulders deflated, and I started crying, finally letting my anger and frustration and sadness flow freely. He was right, but hearing him say it made me feel even worse. “You don’t think I know that? I lie awake at night worrying about it.”

“Fuck.” He ran a hand through his hair, tugging on the ends. “I’m sorry, Elle.” He sighed. “What I should’ve said was that they’ll miss you.”

I wanted to ask ifhe’dmiss me, but I was scared.

“I’ll miss them,” I said. “I’m just—” I sighed. “I worry about them.”And you.

“I know,” he said, rubbing my shoulders. “But it’s going to be okay. You’ll see.”

I hoped so because I couldn’t stay here. Not when I was a liability to Tristan and the kids. And based on my mom’s threats, I had a feeling she wouldn’t relent until I was out of the picture.

TWENTY-FOUR

I studied Elle as she slept. The rise and fall of her chest. The subtle flutter of her eyelids. Her purple hair splayed across the pillow. She was a goddess, and I could’ve watched her all day.

Eventually, she cracked open one eye and said, “Are you watching me sleep?”

“Maybe.”

She stretched, the sheet drifting lower on her chest to reveal more of her delectable breasts. My mouth watered at the sight.

“What time is it?” She let out a sigh of contentment, which quickly turned to a moan when I nuzzled her chest.

“Don’t know,” I muttered between kisses. “Don’t care.”

She laughed but shifted so her leg was draped over my hip. My cock jutted toward her, seeking her heat. “I thought you were going to take me into town and show me off. Hold my hand as we walked down the street.”

She was right. I’d promised. And Ididwant that.

But I also wanted her naked and all to myself.

We’d arrived at Liam and Penny’s Bear Creek cabin yesterday evening and hadn’t left the bed since. We’d have to go to town soon, whether I liked it or not. There was nothing in the fridge and no delivery services. But I was too drunk on lust, on Elle, to care.

“There’s plenty of time for that.”

“Mm,” she hummed, stroking my cock, clearly not interested in leaving any time soon either. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course,” I said, kissing my way down her stomach. “As long as I don’t need my mouth to answer.”

I ducked beneath the covers, eager to put my mouth on her pussy. And then I didn’t stop until her question was long forgotten and she was screaming my name.

After a not-so-quick shower, we finally headed into town. Our first stop was the coffee shop and bakery for breakfast. Well, lunch by that point. We held hands, as promised. And I reveled in the fact that I could kiss her whenever I wanted. Touch her anytime.

As we strolled down Main Street, laughing and kissing, I felt free. Freer than I had in a long time, except maybe when I’d gone to Celeste’s yacht for the Fourth of July. But that hadn’t been nearly as fun because Elle wasn’t there.

In Bear Creek, Elle and I were a normal couple enjoying each other’s company. No one gawked at us. No one cared about the difference in our ages or the fact that she was my late wife’s sister. We were free to be ourselves without concern for what people might say or think.

I knew I was living in a fantasy, but it made me wonder… Was this what life would be like if Elle and I were together?Trulytogether?

Without the secrets or the sneaking around. But living as a couple. A family.

What would the kids think? Maddox was too young to fully understand, but Savannah was older. Would she be upset? Feel somehow betrayed?

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