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“Would you be willing to be here while we talk to Emma? Emma really likes you. She might feel less upset if you were with her. It’s asking a lot, I know.”
Seeing the agony etched on his face, Grace had to look away. Her knees shaking, she made it to the sofa in the living room, thankful to be able to sit. Aidan followed, easing down beside her.
“Talk to me, Grace,” he said, his words coming out in a hoarse rasp. He reached for her hand.
Aidan’s body was so close to hers, his heat surrounded her, his hands offering her strength and certainty. She remembered the first days after Deidre’s death, her anguish at finding out her husband had had an affair, that there was a child from the relationship.
Her disbelief that he’d left her alone, uncared for, in his eagerness to meet his needs and those of his daughter. Those had been the worst days of her life.
Yet as she sat next to the man who had caused her so much agony, listening to his concern for Emma, she was at a loss as to what to do. If she refused to help him and walked out, their marriage would be over. If she stayed and helped him sort out his problems, she would once again be putting his needs ahead of hers. Rather than resolving their issues, she would be choosing to smooth things over for Emma’s sake.
Looking around at all the toys, the books, all the things that made a little girl happy, she realized that she had no right to withdraw her support. Not if it meant that someone as precious as Emma could benefit from her help.
Emma did not deserve to be caught between them over issues she had no knowledge of and events that had been out of her control from the beginning. This little girl had lost her mom, the worst thing that could have happened to her. Now Emma was about to lose the second most important person in her life. Someone she loved dearly and would miss so much.
There was only one thing Grace was certain of at this moment. What was going on between her and Aidan could not be allowed to destroy Emma’s happiness. “You said you were talking to her tomorrow morning?”
“Yes, but if you’re here and willing to be part of it, maybe we should talk to her this afternoon when they get back.”
“So, they could be here at any moment?” she asked, feeling pressured by the thought that her decision had to be quick.
“Yes. But we can wait, if you need more time.” He patted her hand, ran his fingers across her palm, driving her crazy with need.
Was she ready to be involved with him? Could she put aside her concerns and help him? If she did, this might be a place for them to start. If she didn’t, she might lose the one chance she had to get him back.
She’d spent all these days wanting him to come to her, to explain himself to her. She wanted him to face up to what he’d done. He hadn’t come to her in the way she’d wanted or expected. But he was here now with her, pleading for her help. She might not be willing to forgive him, but she was willing to help him for Emma’s sake. “I’ll stay. I’ll be here when they come back.”
He took her in his arms, kissing her so gently and with so much slow-burning passion, she was lost in his embrace. Wrapping her arms around him, she stroked his face, returning his kisses, her body arching to his. “Grace, I want to make love to you right this minute. Is that what you want?” he asked.
“Yes,” she breathed, her hands moving over his chest.
Sighing deeply, he whispered, “We would be upstairs now if I didn’t know that Emma and Lisa could be home any minute. But if we weren’t facing this situation at the moment…” He leaned back, pulling her into the crook of his arm, easing her head onto his shoulder. “I am so glad you’re here with me.”
For the first time in a long while, she felt hope flooding through her. “Emma deserves all the love and caring we can give her,” she said, feeling the impact of her words, the love growing in her heart for Emma.
