One to Leave (One to Hold 5)

He sliced more pork and took a bite before answering. “No, we usually spend it in Chicago with my mother.”

“What’s your mother doing this year?” I had finished my serving, and now my knee was bent, my elbow propped on it. I tried to imagine what their mother might look like. Clearly, she had to be beautiful.

My question seemed to change Stuart’s mood. His expression darkened. “I don’t know what she’s doing. I wasn’t in a position to work out the details with her. I left it to Patrick.”

“Is that bad?”

“It might’ve been a mistake.”

He put the fork down, and picked up his place setting. Pausing, he picked up mine as well and carried it to the small sink. I watched for a moment before hopping up and following him.

“Don’t wash.” Reaching out, I covered his hands, but he was looking out the small window over the sink. “Stuart?”

When he turned back to me, his expression was still clouded. I didn’t understand.

“I’m sure she’s fine,” I said quietly. “Patrick’s actually very responsible.”

Taking his hand away, he made a little noise before going back to the couch.

“Did something happen to make you not so close?”

His foot was propped on the table, and I studied his profile as he watched the fire. “He’s just a lot younger than me.”

“So am I, but we do all right.”

He didn’t answer, and another glance back, I wasn’t even sure he’d heard me. Leaving the dishes in the sink, I went to sit beside him, facing him with my elbow bent under my cheek. “Hey,” I said softly. “Where did you go?”

Eyebrows pulled, he cleared his throat, glancing at me. “I’ll have to check in with her when we get back. We haven’t talked in a while, and I’m sure she’s worried.”

“The hazards of not having a phone in the cabin?”

“I could use the mobile, but I’d rather wait.”

“I can go outside if you’d like. Or you could sit in the truck?”

He traced the back of his finger down my cheek. “It can wait.”

Reaching up, I took his hand in mine and laced our fingers. My heart was growing, making a place for him that he kept saying he would leave, but I didn’t care. “How’s the back?”

“Good.” He nodded, standing. “Only a slight twinge when I move too fast.”

“That’s not good!” I hopped up and pushed him toward the bed. “Time for another session. Take off your clothes.”

He laughed and turned to face me, pulling me close against his chest. “You know what happened the last time we did this.”

Staring at his mouth, I touched my bottom lip with my tongue. “I went from being a virgin to being officially yours.”

A little groan, and he pulled me up to his mouth. Strong lips sealed over mine, moving them apart. Our tongues met and curled together, but I couldn’t hold him. He had my arms pinned against his chest in his firm embrace.

One

more pull on my lips, a little nibble, and he turned. “You might set me back a week in my recovery.”

“I will not!” Pretending to be offended, I struggled out of his embrace. “This time it’s just therapy then mandatory rest.”

“You know that’s only going to make me want you more.”

“We’ll see.”