Page 57 of One Forbidden Moment

Moe had to look away for a second, the feelings too overwhelming.In Everstill, he had no experience with emotions.He wasn't built for this kind of softness.He didn't know how to hold it without breaking it.

When he looked back, Jillian was wiping her eyes, her mother already drifting into sleep.Jillian stood slowly, smoothing the blanket over her mother's legs, and turned toward the door.

She froze when she saw him.

"Moe," she whispered, surprised."What are you doing here?"

He lifted the bag with the helmets, suddenly unsure if the surprise mattered anymore."Got somethin' for you."

Her eyes softened instantly, but she stepped toward him quietly, like she didn't want to disturb the moment behind her.When she reached him, she rested her hand on his chest.It was a small touch, but it hit him like a punch.

"You saw her," Jillian said softly.

He swallowed hard."Don't know what to do with that."

She leaned her forehead against his chest, and he wrapped an arm around her without thinking.He wanted to take the hurt away.

"It's times like this that she doesn't remember me," Jillian whispered."Not really."

Moe held her tighter."Somewhere in her head, she remembers you."

She breathed out shakily and smiled against him.

"Come on," he murmured, brushing his thumb along her shoulder."Let's get you home."

She looked up at him, eyes still wet but steady."On the Harley?"

He lifted the helmets."Yeah.Got these so the cops don't chase us again."

Her laugh was soft, broken, and beautiful."You're learning."

He grunted."I'm trying.For you."

Jillian climbed onto the back of the Harley like she'd been doing it her whole life.She settled behind him, her hands sliding around his waist, her helmet brushing his shoulder.The simple contact hit him harder than anything else had today.

He started the bike.The engine rumbled under them.He eased out of the parking lot, more careful with her on the back, because she mattered.

The wind picked up speed.She leaned into him, her arms tightening, her body warm against his back.He could feel her breathing.He could feel her trust.

This time, he appreciated having her right behind him.He'd never carried anything this precious.

The road curved through town, the sky dimming into early evening.Jillian's body settled behind him.She rested her head between his shoulder blades, and he swore he could feel her heartbeat through his jacket.

He rode slower than usual.He wanted the moment to last.

When they reached her street, she squeezed him gently, a silent signal that she recognized the turn.He pulled into her driveway, killed the engine, and the world went quiet except for the ticking of cooling metal.

She didn't let go right away.

Her arms stayed around him, her cheek still against his back.He didn't move either.He didn't want to break the soft quietness growing between them.

Finally, she slid off the bike, her hand trailing along his arm as she stepped back."Thank you," she said softly.

In Everstill, life was different.Ideas on how to please Jillian never occurred to him.But living with her here, he thought about her constantly.

Instead of explaining what was going on in his head, he simply nodded and followed her inside.

Her house was warmer tonight.The mood was softer, more vulnerable.Like she'd carried the weight of her mother's fading memory home with her, and he wanted to take care of her.