Page 92 of Hard to Hold
“That’s now my absolute favorite shirt,” I told her as she moved toward me.
A small smile curved her pretty mouth.
I held up my arm for her to sit by me, allowing space for her to get as close as possible. She tucked her knees up close and curled against my side. I wrapped my arm around her, pressing my lips to her forehead.
“Feel a little better?” I glanced at the clock. “You slept for about six hours.”
She yawned. “Yeah. I do feel better.” She turned her head slightly, her eyes darting around the room. “Your house is beautiful.”
“Thanks. Exactly the look I was goin’ for.”
Amy swatted my stomach.
I kissed her head again, chuckling.
“Where’s Rhys?”
“He had to go to work. Said he’d be over when he was done.”
“What’s that smell? It’s making my stomach growl.”
“Pot roast in the Crock-Pot.”
Amy tilted her head up at me. “And you tried to tell me you couldn’t cook.”
I laughed. “Technically, I never said that.”
“You implied.”
“No, not really. You assumed.”
“So, you do cook?” She looked hopeful.
“In the Crock-Pot, yes. I’m not too bad on the grill, either. Anything else, it’s a gamble.”
Amy dropped her head back to my shoulder. She was quiet for a few minutes, and I thought she had fallen back asleep, but then her hand started to move, gliding beneath my shirt, her fingers grazing my stomach.
I tried to keep my heart rate under control. Not an easy thing to do when she was touching me while wearing nothing but my shirt.
“I’m sorry about this morning,” she said softly.
“Nothin’ to be sorry about.”
“I didn’t mean to dump everything on you. I just…” She sighed. “I’m so tired of being scared. I have nightmares. Bad ones. I have to go through it over and over again. Then, when I wake up, I’m terrified he’s gonna show up. One day he will; I know it.”
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t imagine the hell she’d lived through.
Amy tilted her head back and I turned mine, our mouths close together.
“I’m glad I’m here,” she whispered.
“Me, too.”
She pulled back a little, propping herself up on her arm. Her face contorted slightly. She looked confused.
“What?” I asked, unable to read her mind.
“Do you still … you know … want me?”
