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“No,” I stopped him, then hurriedly blocked his path. If Tommy went up there, then he would instantly figure out my lie. I couldn’t have that. I licked my lips and held his gaze steady. “They say it’s really bad in there.”
“Leah?” he called, then gently put his hands on mine and made me drop my hands. “Cut the crap. There can’t be any infestation because I had this place checked the day you arrived, and it was clear. So, tell me what’s really going on?”
Dang, it.I nearly cursed out loud, but I pressed my lips together and groaned inside.
“Fine, you caught me,” I said, folding my hands over my chest. “I needed to find a way to kick you out of the cottage because I don’t like you being here.”
He frowned and his lips formed a thin line. “Well, if it makes you feel any better, I can’t stand you either.”
“Great, at least we agree on that. Let’s say you move out and find another place to stay. I’m sure you’re tired of sleeping on the couch too, right?”
“I am, and that’s why you get the couch tonight.”
He was about to walk away from me, but I touched his arm and stopped him. “What? You can’t do that. I can’t have the couch, it’ll hurt.”
“Exactly …. it hurts and I’ve been there for about a week now. Have some consideration …”
The heated exchange of words didn’t dull the sizzling tension in the atmosphere. I could feel it snapping in my nerves and making me want to put my hands on him and kiss him again.
“I’m taking the bed tonight and I’m not flipping a coin on that. If you don’t like it, I can get you some fancy place in Lakewood or even in town. Luxurious and it comes with a poolincludinga daily massage. You could even get a chauffeur too if you want. I’d do anything to take that bed tonight.”
His blue eyes seemed more electrifying as he spoke, and it caused me to shiver. “I don’t; want any of that. I want to stay here because it’s …”
“You don’t need to be here. I don’t want you here or else I might just lose my mind and …” his voice deepened before he trailed off. Then he inhaled sharply, groaned, and stepped back. “You … Leah … you torment me, Leah, and if you don’t leave then I might just lose my mind.”
Tommy walked past me and headed up to the bedroom after that. I was still reeling seconds later as I stood in the same spot, but I managed to control my racing pulse, then walked over to the couch to sit.
Why did he have to be so hot? He was making it difficult and impossible to resist him.
Tommy
Iwentupandtook a shower, then lay in bed, and tried to shut her out of my mind. The problem was, she was singing now, and her soft melodious tone drifted through the walls of the cottage and reached the bedroom.
Even after covering my ears with a pillow, I could still hear her. Restless, and unable to shut off my nerves that hummed in response to the desire she sparked in me, I got out of bed, put on a shirt, and padded softly down the stairs to the living room.
Leah was on the couch, her legs stretched out in front of her, and she was singing slowly, then humming too. I had always listened to her sing even back when she still lived in Dallas.
She had a wonderful voice, and her skill was one that she ought to explore. Contrary to what Leah thought, I didn’t want Danielle to leave Dallas at that time because I wanted her to meet her mother.
My sweet Danielle had blamed me for everything that happened, and I had let her believe that because it was the only way to protect my sweetheart. She missed her mother so much, but the harsh reality was that her mother didn’t want to stay.
She didn’t want Danielle either. How could I break my little girl’s heart and tell her the truth back then?
Leah didn’t notice my presence as she kept singing to herself. I folded my hands over my chest and listened, loving her voice and how well she could use it.
A smile spread on my lips as a fond memory of Leah and her mother joining us for dinner came to mind. Betty Maureen had been full of life just like her daughter. Each time I ran into her in town, all she could talk about was her little girl and how much she enjoyed having Danielle over at the house.
Betty worked as a freelance editor back then, so she had all the time in the world to look after the girls while I managed my security firm in Dallas. It was a tragedy how she got sick without anyone realizing it until it was too late, and I had worried for Leah after her mom passed.
A lot.“She has turned out fine,” I murmured as I watched her.
Leah heard my voice though and she sat up on the couch with speed, then angled her head in my direction. “I don’t appreciate you spying on me,” she shot at me as she glared. “It’s creepy.”
“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I wasn’t spying.” I stuck my hands in the pocket of my shorts, then turned away before the itch to go to her grew.
I had made the first move to climb the stairs when her words stopped me. “Wait.”
I turned to her again and she got on her feet and walked over to me but stopped some inches away. I could still inhale her floral scent even though she wasn’t too close. Her lips parted lightly, and her short hair was a mess.
