Page 82 of Through the Storms

“Hence why my sister-in-law sends him to his man cave. That’s when he calls me, muttering about the sons he should have had.” Lana smiled. “Don’t get me wrong. He loves them and wouldn’t trade them for the world, but he comes away feeling inept whenever he tries to help. He manages his own business with nearly two hundred employees without a problem, but he runs for cover when it comes to teenage girls.”

“Thank you.” Chloe patted Lana’s arm. “I needed that. A little perspective that I’m not the world’s worst mother.”

Lana put her hand on top of Chloe’s. “I tell my brother all the time to cut himself some slack. His life can’t revolve around their every whim. He’s a good man, a good dad. Teenagers are hard.”

“I’ve monopolized enough of this conversation,” Chloe said. “Do you want kids?”

Lana leaned back in her chair and brought her hand to her forehead. “After this conversation, do you really think I’d say yes?”

Chloe laughed, and their discussion turned to other topics.

CHAPTER 31

Riley rolled over andgroaned. The memory of last night flooded her mind. She reached out for Chloe but found an empty bed. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It showed 6:30.

Maybe Chloe was in the bathroom. Riley felt around under the covers, but the other side of the bed was cold.Crap.Where had Chloe gone?

Last night had been amazing, more than amazing. It was the best sex she’d ever had—and the most. She’d lost count of how many times they’d brought each other to climax. The thought of the hunger in Chloe’s eyes and the blissful beauty of her face while in the throes of an orgasm caused Riley to shiver.

Chloe’s openness and vulnerability had brought something out in Riley that she’d never felt during sex before.Freedom.She’d held nothing back from Chloe, giving her body and heart freely.

Maybe Chloe had run down to the coffee shop since she was always awake before Riley. With a burst of energy, Riley raisedher arms over her head and stretched.Her body held none of its usual tension. She rolled her shoulders and was shocked at how loose they were.

Riley chuckled to herself. She’d save a ton of money on massage therapy if she could only have sex like this more often. When she pushed back the covers, she realized she was still naked. Not a surprise. She glanced around. Only her clothes littered the floor.

She frowned but then chastised herself. Of course, Chloe wouldn’t leave her clothes strewn all over. Riley trudged to her bag and froze. Chloe’s suitcase was gone.

Riley’s heart raced. Her gaze flitted around the room, but she couldn’t focus on anything. She hurried into the bathroom, and it was the same. Not a trace of Chloe’s belongings anywhere. Finally, her gaze landed on a folded piece of paper propped against the mirror.

Riley’s name was neatly printed on it. Her chest ached as she reached for it. Carefully, Riley unfolded the piece of paper.

Dear Riley,

I don’t even know what to say to you, except I’m so sorry.

Riley stopped reading and held the letter against her chest. After an incredible night of sex, nothing good could come from a letter that began with anI’m sorry.

All the energy Riley had awoken with drained from her body. She carried the letter into the bedroom and sat, no longer sure she wanted to stand when she read the rest.

Please know that last night was incredible. I’ve never felt anything like it, but

Riley put her fingers against her temples and rubbed. She wanted to revel inlast night was incredibleand didn’t want to know what came after thebut.Her gaze returned to the page.

But I don’t know what came over me. I am so embarrassed by the way I behaved.

Hope returned to Riley. She could deal with embarrassment.

I woke up this morning to five missed calls from Mia and several texts. She needed me, but I was too busy ravishing you to take care of my daughter. What kind of mother am I?

Riley paused and looked toward the ceiling.Crap.Chloe feeling like she’d let down her daughter was something that would be hard for Chloe to get past.

Please, don’t think this is just about Mia.

In reality, it’s about me. I’m so mixed up. I can’t believe I seduced you after your story. What kind of monster does that?

I’ve been struggling so badly after my divorce. I don’t know which end is up most of the time, and it’s not fair for me to bring other people into my screwed-up existence. Once again, I was selfish and let down you and Mia.

Please, please, understand that this isn’t about you being a woman. I’m surprised how natural last night was for me. How incredible.