me,” he told her between quick kisses along her jaw and neck.
She couldn’t answer. Her breath had hitched as he lifted the hem of her T-shirt and ran his hand over her stomach.
“So soft. So damn soft,” he murmured.
He kept one hand on her waist, caressed the curve of her hip, and the other hand went to her hair, tugging the band off her ponytail. His eyes glittering, he spread her hair across her pillow. Exhaled a shaky breath.
Rising onto her elbows, she captured his mouth, poured herself into their kiss, showing him what she couldn’t say. What she couldn’t admit to feeling. Breathless, she pulled back and tugged at his shirt, needing to feel his skin against hers.
He pulled the shirt over his head and tossed it aside while she lifted her own off.
“You are beautiful,” he told her.
It didn’t matter that she wore a sports bra or that she didn’t have any makeup on, with Neil’s gaze on her, his hands on her, she felt beautiful. He kissed the delicate skin of her breasts before sliding down her body so he could lick one nipple into a peak before sucking it greedily into his mouth.
Maddie gasped, her hands fisting in his hair as her body flushed with pleasure. He ran his hands down her body, a light, feathering touch over her stomach, a firmer caress as he worked the button free of her jeans, slid the zipper down. She lifted her hips so he could tug them off. He shucked his own jeans as she pulled off her bra and panties.
Standing at the edge of her bed, he stared down at her. Instead of feeling vulnerable and exposed, she felt powerful. She lifted her arms and he joined her, his hard body a perfect contrast, complement to her curves.
They made love slowly, gently, their bodies rising together, their breathing quickening until the tension in her grew, coiled in her belly. He held her gaze, linked his fingers with hers as he moved in her. And looking into his eyes, into the eyes of the first boy she’d ever loved, the father of her child, she tumbled over the edge of pleasure, taking him with her.
After, he pulled the sheet over them and enveloped her in his arms. She laid her head on his chest so she could hear his heart, loving his strength and heat, his skin and scent.
Loving him.
Tears clogged her throat. She was an idiot. A fool to fall for him again. And while she couldn’t stop what was in her heart any more than she could stop the world from turning, she sure as hell could be smarter this time. Could protect herself and her daughter.
* * *
NEIL JERKED OUT of a light doze when his cell phone buzzed. Maddie, curled up next to him, stretched, the movement doing some interesting things to her breasts, the muscles of her thighs.
“You going to answer that?” she asked, all amused and sexy, her voice making him think of a mythical siren. If she was there to lure him to his death, he might just jump in that water willingly.
Clearing his throat, he flipped open his phone. “Yeah? Uh...hello?”
Nothing.
“Hello?” he repeated, sitting up more fully.
“Daddy?”
His blood went cold, everything inside of him stilled at Bree sounding so small and scared. “Bree. What is it? What’s wrong?”
Maddie sat up, clutching the sheet over her breasts. “What is it?” she asked, reaching for the phone. “Is she sick?”
He turned so the phone was out of her reach, shook his head. “Breanne,” he said, harsher now. “What’s going on?”
She sniffed and he could hear the tears in her voice. “I need you, Daddy.”
He was already pulling on his jeans, noted Maddie was doing the same. “Okay, baby, it’s okay. I’m on my way. We’ll be there in a few minutes. Let me talk to Aunt Fay,” he said, hoping his sister could shed some light on why his daughter was so upset. He checked the clock, not quite midnight. “Is she still awake?”
“No. I tried. I tried to wake her but...I need you, Daddy,” she cried.
He met Maddie’s eyes, saw his own panic, his fear mirrored there. “I know you do. I’m coming. But I need you to tell me what’s wrong.”
“It’s Aunt Fay. I can’t wake her up.”
* * *
AN HOUR LATER, Neil had a cup of bad hospital coffee in his hand as he stared blindly out the waiting room window at the dark sky.