“That movie was really kind of disturbing,” Leanna said as she climbed onto the bed beside him. “The idea of those little girls and all the children before them being abducted. It’s terrifying.”
He reached for her. “It is disturbing, but it was a movie, babe. It was supposed to be scary.”
She traced a vein on the back of his hand. “Do you ever think about having kids?”
“Until I met you, I’d never met a woman I’d want to live with, much less have children with. But yeah, I do want a family. What about you?” Kurt was surprised that he didn’t break out into a cold sweat at the mention of having children. Wasn’t that what guys were supposed to do when their girlfriends mentioned having children or settling down?
She shrugged and began drawing circles on her thigh.
He wanted to draw circles on her thigh. With his tongue.
“I’ve never really thought about it in terms of when or how many, but I do want to have children someday.” She looked up at him then, the edges of her lips barely curved and her eyes sleepily seductive. “The thought of keeping them safe is a little frightening, isn’t it?”
He pulled her close, and she ran her fingers over his bare stomach. “If I ran from things that were terrifying, I’d never have become a writer, and I might never have allowed myself to go out with you.”
“I’m frightening?”
He kissed her forehead. “No, babe. You’re perfect. The thought of anything coming between me and my writing was what terrified me. But you’ve made me realize that there’s a lot more to life than being the best thriller writer. And with you, I feel like I can enjoy both. You defied the terror, and if you want children someday, then we won’t let fear hold us back there, either.”
“You know, I came to the Cape expecting to have a fun summer and maybe find a career, but I never expected to find you. Us.”
Kurt slid the lacy strap of her cami off of her sun-bronzed shoulder and kissed her silky skin.
“I expected to finish a book in complete solitude.” He slid the lacy strap from her other shoulder. “I never expected to find you.” He kissed her neck. “Or us.” He kissed the tender skin just below her collarbone. “And now…” He held the edge of her cami between his finger and thumb and planted a trail of kisses across her collarbone. “I can’t imagine going a day without you.”
Leanna’s breath hitched, and he slid his arm around her back, drawing her body closer, her lips a breath away. Her hazel eyes narrowed, full of anticipation; his body ached with impatience. He kissed her lightly. Her tender, warm lips pressed against his; her tongue moved slowly, searching, wanting. He could feel how much she wanted him in her touch, in the cadence of her breath. He sensed her need, and even stronger, he felt his own need growing in his heart. He held back, relishing in the desire that drew them closer and made his muscles cord tight. She kissed him harder, urgently seeking his reciprocation. He wanted to please her so badly he ached—but he held back. Kurt’s heart pounded inside his chest as he lowered her to the bed beneath him. Her fingers grazed his jawline; then she cupped the back of his head and deepened their kiss. After tonight they had three nights without each other. Seventy-two hours of remembering their last night together. Kurt intended to give Leanna a night she’d never forget.
Chapter Twenty-Six
THURSDAY MORNING FOUND them, despite Leanna’s wishes for a few more days with Kurt. She held Pepper’s leash so tightly that her fingernails made moon-shaped crescents in her skin as she watched Kurt put his bags in the trunk of his car. She thought she’d prepared herself for his leaving. They were going to be apart for only a few days, and she hadn’t even known him a month ago. She should be fine.
She was nowhere near fine.
Lonesomeness coiled low in her belly, and her heart ached for him. She memorized the sound of his voice, the smell of him. She missed his touch, and he wasn’t even gone yet.
Kurt closed the trunk and hugged her for the millionth time that morning. “You’re going to do great. Daisy Chain’s execs will love your products, and they’ll love you, and…And I love you.” He kissed her softly. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
“I’m…” Oh no, really? Don’t cry. Please don’t cry. She swallowed past the lump in her throat that had choked her voice. “I’m going to miss you, too. I’ll call as soon as the meeting’s over and let you know how it goes. Oh wait. I can’t. You’ll be at Jack’s wedding. You should call me when you’re done. When is the wedding? What time?” She ran her finger in circles along the door of his car as she spoke.