Page 132 of Mountain Daddy (Mountain Men #2)

Luther

Kendra’s body goes soft against mine as sleep pulls her under.

And I hold her tighter.

I cling to her.

I grip the hand she has on my chest in my own.

I’d like you to stay.

This is so much more than I deserve.

She’s so much more.

But I tried living without her already, and I was no good at it.

So I might not deserve a second chance, but if she gives it to me, I’m going to take it.

I’m taking it, and I’m never letting it go.

Something warm moves beside me, pulling me out of sleep.

Light filters into the room, and I blink my eyes open, focusing on the woman tucked into my side.

Kendra makes a humming sound, and her fingers twitch under mine.

I run my hand up her side.

She’s such a stunning creature.

Beautiful, smart, funny.

Strong, tough, independent.

She doesn’t need me.

Maybe never will.

But that’s okay.

I don’t need her to need me.

I just need her to want me.

I want you to stay.

I close my eyes as I replay her words.

There’s so much to make right, but it’s a start.

A clatter sounds from somewhere in the house, and my eyes snap back open.

Shit .

My gaze jerks to the door, then back to the early morning sunshine creeping in around the curtains.

Double shit .

I press my lips to Kendra’s hair. “Baby, I gotta go.”

I have no right to call her that. Especially when I remember the way she reacted the last time I almost called her that.

But she let me spend the night with her. Said she wanted me to. And she wouldn’t do that if she hated me all the way.

Pretty sure.

She groans and nuzzles her face against my chest.

No, she doesn’t hate me all the way.

I kiss her hair again.

Kendra’s eyelids flutter.

I rub my thumb back and forth over her shoulder. “I have to leave,” I whisper. “You can go back to sleep. I just wanted to tell you.”

Those big green eyes blink up at me.

“Hi.” I keep my voice low.

Her cheek lifts in a wary smile. “Hi.”

There’s another clatter and a muttered curse.

Kendra’s eyes widen.

I grimace. “Yeah. I overslept.”

She turns her head to look at the clock, seeing that it’s after six thirty and knowing this is late for me. “Must’ve been tired.” Her voice is just as quiet.

I was beyond tired last night.

I was wrung out.

Finding out about…

Fucking cancer.

I roll toward Kendra, pushing her onto her side.

“What are you?—”

When we’re front to front, I wrap both my arms around her and hug her to me.

One of her hands is trapped between us, but the other slides around my side to my back.

“I’m okay, Luther. I swear.”

I hold her tighter.

I’m still not.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to think about Kendra having cancer without feeling a piece of my heart crumble away.

“I’m sorry.” I force the words through my tightening throat.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that. And I’m sorry I didn’t know.

And I’m so fucking sorry, Baby.” I have to stop.

Have to take a breath. “I’m sorry I’m such an idiot.

I should’ve talked to you. I just… I’m too old.

Too jaded. Felt too fucking unworthy to steal your future and keep it as my own.

But… I can’t let you go. Even though I tried.

Even though I should.” I curl around her.

And she clutches at me. “I’m not… I won’t ask you for anything right now.

I want to, but I won’t. Not yet. Just know that I’m not done.

I’ll make this up to you. I’ll find a way.

” I press my lips to the side of her neck. “You hear me, Kendra Doll?”