But he didn’t want her to ache.
“Mm,” she murmured, her fingers tensing to drag her nails along his chest and her legs shifted against his, tangling with them, her body pressing closer, entwining with his.
Callum smiled.
She was okay.
She did this now, entwining her body with his, getting closer.
She did it often, now that she understood.
Now that she understood everything.
He thought he’d miss her before when she was gone.
Now these times were exquisite torture.
“Cal,” she called, her voice sounding like she sensed the turn of his thoughts.
“Yes, baby doll?”
Her hand flattened against his chest as if his skin could absorb it.
Or she could absorb something integral from his skin. Something she needed. Something she couldn’t exist without.
Then she whispered, “You know I love you, right?”
He closed his eyes before his arm about her tightened and his other hand came across his chest to slide into the soft, golden hair at the side of her head.
How could he ever not have fancied blondes?
Because, he knew, they were never her.
“I know, honey.”
“You’ll never forget?” she was still whispering.
His neck arched slightly but he forced his body to relax.
“I’ll never forget.”
She cuddled close and her hand slid across his chest to wrap around him tight. “I want you to promise to be happy but I don’t want you ever to forget.”
“I won’t forget.”
“Promise to be happy?”
Impossible.
“I promise.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“I love you, baby doll.”
“I know,” she said on a fluttering sigh and his chest got so tight, Callum found it hard to breathe.
* * * * *