Page 123 of Time To Learn

Slowly, I get up and after I’ve tucked her in, I take the baby monitor from her dresser.

“When she has nightmares, we use this for a couple of days,” I explain as he tilts his head, a thoughtful look in hiseyes.

“That makes sense.”

I grab the other monitor and put it in my pocket as we leave the bedroom and head downstairs.

“When will your mum be back?” Kristian asks behindme.

I shrug.

“I’m not sure, exactly. She usually texts me when she’s on herway.”

“Isee.”

A small shiver runs through me as he takes my hand, interlinking our fingers.

“So,” Kristian starts as we enter the kitchen, “I’m not going to push you to tell me more about your past for now, sweetheart.”

His words make me grimace and I can’t prevent my body from tensing up. He pulls my rigid body into hisarms.

“But?” I look into hiseyes.

“But there is still one question that’s been running around in my head since this morning, and I can’t stop thinking about it. Will you answerit?”

I blow out a breath as I nod slowly.

I can tell he takes my silent acquiescence as a good sign, as the frown on his face clears.

“When you told me that you’re widowed, was it the truth?”

That question iseasy.

“Yes. He’s very, verydead.”

I wrap my arms around his neck as he takes a long breath, holds it, and then exhales it slowly.

“Shit. Because I’ve got to admit I wish he wasn’t, so I could hunt him down and beat the ever-loving shit out ofhim.”

The fierce expression in his eyes makes me gasp in wonder.

“You don’t have to slay my demons, Kristian,” I quip breathlessly. “I’m a big girl now. I can take care of myself.”

He squints down atme.

“I know you can. Doesn’t mean I don’t wish I could. That I could ease your burdens. Share them with you so you don’t have to carry them alone.”

There he goes and tilts my world on its axis again.

“Are you sure you’re real?” I whisper.

His smile widens, turning my heart into a big glob ofgoo.

“Very much so, sweetheart.”

As I push up on my toes to reach him, hope flutters in my heart and desire pools between mylegs.

“I want you,” I whisper as I brush his lips and push my hips closer to his crotch.