Taming the Lone Wolff(85)

                At last he pulled away, wiped his face on his sleeve and looked at her. “Señor Lobo?” he asked hopefully.

                Winnie smiled. “Right outside. You want to go with me to see him?”

                “Sí, sí…”

                In the yard, Winnie stood back, unable to stem more tears, as Larkin swooped up the child and held him in strong arms. The two males carried on a low-voiced conversation she couldn’t hear, but something Larkin said actually coaxed a laugh from Esteban.

                Larkin smiled. “I explained to Esteban that you’ve been awake all night and need to sleep. He’s going to play here today with his friends, and I promised you’d be back to see him this evening.”

                Winnie nodded, barely able to stand. “Sounds good to me.”

                * * *

                At the house, she allowed Larkin to pamper her. He carried her up to her bedroom and set her on her feet. “A shower?”

                She nodded. “But with you.”

                The conflict on his face was unmistakable. “I don’t want to—”

                She put a hand over his mouth. “Do this for me. Please. Wash me. Make love to me. Sleep with me.”

                But despite her begging, Larkin had his own agenda. He touched her as if she were a priceless, fragile treasure. As he bathed her in the shower, his sex was erect and demanding. Larkin, however, paid no attention to anything but her comfort. When she swayed with exhaustion, he dried her off, sat her on a low stool and combed her hair, blow-drying it as he went, until her unruly tresses lay docile on her shoulders.

                He seemed to have a desire to carry her, so for once, she let herself be weak. When he tucked her into bed, she put her hand on his arm, feeling the warmth of him. “I need you,” she said.

                He hesitated. In his eyes, for a split second, she saw the truth. He was trying, but it was too much. This was exactly what Larkin didn’t want. A clingy woman. A relationship that demanded he play the protector. Oh, God. “Never mind,” she said hurriedly. “I’m fine.” Somewhere she found the courage to smile. “Really I am. Please turn off the light as you go out.”

                * * *

                Larkin’s misery and distress and wretched guilt coalesced into a sharp, thrusting pain that stole his breath. “You should rest, Winnie.”

                The look on her face hurt him more than anything he had ever faced. Every hint of color remaining in her pale cheeks faded away, leaving her gaze dull with acceptance. “I understand. You can go home. I’ll handle this. I don’t need you. It’s okay.”

                Dear God. She was trying to let him off the hook. Acknowledging his total inability to support her emotionally. Words failed him. Everything he had ever believed about himself splintered in a silent roar of agony. All he had to do was climb into that bed and hold her, but if he did, his heart would break. Nothing he could say or do would fix the situation with Esteban. Nothing he had to offer would take away Winnie’s pain. “I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I’m sorry.” He turned blindly toward the door and walked out.

                * * *

                Winnie awoke alone and disoriented. She was actually hungry, and no wonder. She had slept for three hours. Afternoon sun lit the hardwood floor, catching dust motes in the slanted beams.

                Reality washed over her. Brutal. Inescapable. It was hard to breathe. Esteban. Larkin. The pain was vast. Endless. Swinging her feet over the side of the bed, she stood up and put a hand on the wall when the room spun. How could she live? How could she move? The future gaped before her. Hollow. Terrifyingly empty.