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“Yeah, I think that’s it.”
He waited for her to continue, but she didn’t. She just sniffed quietly.
Was she crying? And if she was, what should he do?
Someone stirred a few sleeping bags down, then settled once again.
Katelyn sniffled again.
Shewascrying. His fingers tingled, aching to touch her. He gave in to the urge, just a feather touch on the shoulder in the darkness. “I’m sorry, Kate. This can’t be easy.”
She didn’t say anything but the sniffles came closer together.
His chest constricted. “You want me to leave you alone?”
“No...” The word escaped on the sob.
Ah, jeez.Without thought he pulled her closer. She came willingly, rolling onto her side. His arm went around her. His other hand went to the curve of her neck—that beautiful neck he’d been eyeing all day.
He shouldn’t have done that. But since he already had...
He moved his thumb, tentatively grazing her skin. It was soft and silky, and her pulse thrummed beneath it. Her hair smelled of oranges. A stray strand tickled his cheek, but he didn’t brush it away. She was warm and soft in his arms, weeping softly.
He wished he could change things for her. Wished he could bring back her brother or at least say something that would takethe sting out of the loss. He’d only lost his grandparents and his nephew. Those had been difficult, but he still had family, whereas Kate was alone.
His thumb continued its back-and-forth motion, his palm cupping the curve of her neck.
“I’m sorry,” she said between sniffles.
“Don’t be,” he whispered into her hair. “You’re fine.”
Fine.Such a banal word. Having Katelyn in his arms didn’t feelfine.It felt right. It felt as if she belonged here. He should put distance between them, but instead he chased the unwanted thoughts from his mind. She was hurting and he was comforting her. There was nothing wrong with that.
“Do you want to tell me about him?”
She was quiet so long he wasn’t sure she’d heard him. Then she drew a breath and began. “There were so many things he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to travel and write music and learn everything he could about nature. He was so full of dreams and ambitions, and now all those hopes are gone. He’ll never be as old as I am right now. He’ll never marry and have children. He’ll never meet our mother. His life was only just beginning. I don’t know why I’m crying, now of all times.”
“You’re allowed to feel sad, Kate. You’re still grieving the loss of all those things.”
She tilted her head to look up at him. Moonlight flickered in her eyes, gleamed off the tears dampening her cheeks. “You always say just the right thing.”
“Do I?” He swept a thumb across her cheek, wishing he could eradicate her pain as easily as he did her tears.
“Yes.”
Could she hear his heart pounding? Did she sense that he longed to offer more than comfort with his touch? Did she know he wanted her for himself?
He couldn’t avoid that truth anymore. Not now that she was in his arms. He didn’t want to let her go. He wanted to lower his head and kiss those sweet lips.
Would she return the kiss? Maybe she’d take the comfort he offered, but it would be wrong on multiple levels. He wouldn’t take advantage of her emotional state, even if she was finished weeping, her breaths steadily rising and falling against his ribs.
With the last vestiges of control, he forced himself to think of his brother. Kate was his girlfriend. Cooper had no right to hold her. No right to think of her this way. Certainly no right to kiss her.
“We should get some rest.” His words scraped like gravel across his throat.
“You’re a good man, Cooper Robinson.” With one last smile tilted up at him, she moved away, settling into her sleeping bag.
Was he? Because right now he just felt like a terrible person.
