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“And then I like coming back.”
I don’t answer. His mouth is close enough to my ear that I feel the next words against my skin.
“I like having things to tell you when I do.”
The words land harder than anything he’s said tonight. Kell’s hand begins moving again, one slow pass over my stomach.
“I didn’t know I would have that.”
“What?”
“Someone I want to tell.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. He may know exactly what he’s saying and still have no idea how hard it’s hitting me.
“Kell.”
“Yes?”
The word sitting behind my lips isn’t a joke. That scares me more than anything else tonight.
I could stop him. Roll over. Kiss him. Turn this back into sex, which would be so much easier. I could ask him not to say anything else and he’d listen.
Instead, I make the only decision that matters. I stay.
“Nothing.”
The word costs more breath than it should. He accepts that too.
His fingers slide through my hair, separating a few strands that have tangled at the nape of my neck. When one catches, he patiently works it free rather than pulling through.
“You should sleep,” he says.
“I should probably shower.”
“You can shower tomorrow.”
“Very persuasive.”
“I know.”
I can hear the satisfaction in his voice. His lips brush the back of my head again.
I should get up. Brush my teeth. Put on pajamas. Let Kell go back to the guest room the way he has every other night we’ve had sex. Do one of the hundred small things that return us to normal before we go to sleep.
I don’t move. Kell doesn’t ask me if he can stay.
That somehow makes letting him stay easier. His arm remains around my waist, heavy and warm, while his fingers continue their slow path over my skin. The last thing he says comes so quietly I’m not sure he means for me to answer.
“I like this too.”
I know exactly what he means. That’s the problem.
I lay my hand over his where it rests against my stomach. He laces our fingers.
For once, I don’t try to decide what any of it means. His mouth touches my hair again, and my breathing slows. Then I fall asleep in his arms.
Chapter Sixteen
