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Walking into the bathroom, John followed as she answered his questions. “Nothing is going on. I was in the bath tub when you called. My cell was on silent since I had just laid Brooke down for bed. I didn’t want to wake her, but I didn’t hear the vibration.”

There went her down time. Pulling the plug from the drain, she shook her hand, water sprinkling around. Turning, she looked at John. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

John swallowed hard. Water slowly trickled down her legs onto the floor, and her robe fell open allowing him to see the outline of her plump breasts. He could see droplets on her chest and had the sudden urge to lick her dry. She looked like a mess, her eyes so tired and sad. He wanted to know was going through her mind, what caused her to look sad.

Taking a step forward, John asked, “Why didn’t you go to work Alyssa?”

“How did you know I didn’t go?”

“I showed up. I wanted to surprise you and say hi. When I got there, they said you called in. What happened?”

Alyssa glanced at the ground, embarrassed. “It’s none of your business,” she said softly.

“The hell it isn’t,” he growled. “You could have called me if you needed help.”

“What do you care anyway?”

“Why did you call in?” he repeated, stalking toward her.

“It doesn’t matter, Johnny. Just leave it alone.”

“Yes, it does.”

She blew out an irritated breath. “My babysitter bailed on me! Okay! That’s why! I had no one to watch Brooke. So what was I supposed to do? Leave her alone? I had no choice!”

John closed his eyes and shook his head. She should have called him. He told her this a thousand times. Why wouldn’t she just lean on him?

“We always have a choice, Alyssa. Always. You could have called me. I would’ve come over here to take care of Brooke, yet you didn’t call. Why?”

“I don’t want to have to call you,” her voice cracked.

“Why the fuck not?”

Alyssa shook her head.

“Why, Alyssa?”

She stood up and walked to John with determination in each step. “Why? I don’t know? I need to do this on my own. You do everything for me, and I need to stop relying on you like that.”

“But that’s the thing—you don’t rely on me. Ever. I have to ask you to, and when I do, I have to beg for

it. I feel like I’m pulling teeth sometimes. I offer to help yet you never call. It’s always me. What’s wrong with you?”

Alyssa flinched back.

“What’s wrong, Alyssa?” He asked, closing the small distance between them.

“There’s nothing wrong, but you help out so much already.” She shrugged as if it was nothing. “That’s why. If I get fired, I can find another job. It’s just a waitressing job anyway.”

John pinched the bridge of his nose. Jesus Lord this woman. She sure knew how to get under his skin.

“There’s no need for that if you just let me help.”

“I’m trying, I swear I am. I’m working on it,” she whispered.

John loomed over her. “Why are you trying so hard, though? You’ve never had to before. What’s going on?” Planting a finger under her chin, he tilted her face up. Her sad, blue eyes met his and he crumbled. “Let me in. You don’t have to do this on your own.”

Leaning down, he was ready to lay his lips to hers but he stopped himself within a centimeter from her mouth. Jesus, it was getting more and more difficult to hold back. He hadn’t had sex in what felt like forever, not since the last time he and Alyssa had been together. And even though he was irritated, he still wanted her. She was standing before him in a robe, still wet and so naturally beautiful.