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Her eyes darkened. She cleared her throat. “So, uh, how’s your family doing?”
He chuckled. “Good. Well, Andre seems to be avoiding me lately. Either that or Mia is keeping him busy.”
“She seemed like a spitfire when I formally met her at the harvest dinner.”
“Yeah. And Mikel and Remy are great. Jasmine . . . well, she’s just taking life one day at a time.”
“Does the baby’s father help her at all?” Belle asked.
Bently sighed.
“I’m sorry. You don’t have to answer that. It’s none of my business.” She shook her head and stared back into the fire. The shadows of orange flames danced across her brown skin, painting her in soft lights. She was stunning. Breathtaking.
He weaved his fingers through hers. “It’s fine. Jaz won’t even tell me who the father is.”
“She probably has a good reason, then.”
He looked up at her, his eyebrows rising. “Maybe you’re right. I just wish she’d tell me if the bastard hurt her.” His grip tightened.
“Sometimes, it isn’t that easy.” Her voice soothed him.
He nodded.
“Let’s go see those stars you promised me.” She led the way into the room, climbing under the covers.
Bently lay next to her, pulling her against his chest like that was where she’d belonged all along.
He’d been right. Thousands of stars scattered across the dark sky—wisps of clouds like ghosts haunting the heavens.
“Do you know any constellations?” she asked.
“Nah, that’s Mikel’s territory. All I know is the Big and Little Dipper.”
Her head rose ever so slightly with each of his inhales. Her breath synced with his as if they were one. His hand stroked her back. They lay like that, enjoying the view in silence. He closed his eyes, savoring the moment. Her closeness blanketed him with peace, lulling him into sleep.
***
After preparing a tray with eggs, bacon, and toast, he added a cup of coffee with the creamer she liked so much. He walked into the room as she stretched out her arms, yawning. Warm sunshine cascaded down on her, making her glow as if she was truly an ethereal creature sent to earth for his redemption. Since when did he believe he was worth saving?
“Good morning, beautiful.”
She sat and adjusted the silk cap on her hair. “Is that for me?”
“Breakfast in bed.” For the woman who occupies my heart.
She smiled and held out her hands. “I don’t know what I did to deserve all this, but thank you.”
The woman gutted him. Staggered by how humble and pure she was, he set the tray on her lap.
“I’m just going to grab mine and I’ll be back.”
And take a minute to get a hold of myself.
Bently returned with his own tray and joined her on the bed. It was like they were a couple, but without the sex. They hadn’t gone far besides a few light touches, and molten-hot kisses. And he was perfectly content just being next to this woman, sharing her space.
“How’d you become homeless?” he asked the question that had been burning the back of his mind.
She sipped her coffee before answering. “One of my mother’s boyfriends, also her drug dealer, tried to get his payment from me.”
