Текст книги "Inked Armour"

Автор книги: Helena Hunting

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 22 страниц)

16
TENLEY

Hayden burst out of the elevators and into the main lobby. “Let’s get out of here.”

He grabbed my hand, pulled me up out of the chair, and headed for the door. I practically had to run to keep up with him. His jaw was clenched, eyes blazing. When we reached the car, he helped me in and went around to his side without a word. He slipped the key in the ignition and turned the engine over.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Mostly, yes.”

“He put his hands on you.”

“I told him I knew he was having sex with a student, and he threatened to have me ejected from the program. He also said if I brought the information forward, he would make it impossible for me to secure another adviser. So I played the video from my phone. He tried to take it from me.”

Hayden took several deep breaths, his hands flexing and releasing on the steering wheel as he stared out the windshield. I couldn’t get a gauge on anything but his anger, and my own emotions were pretty frayed.

“What happened after that?”

“I opened the door. You were there.”

Finally he looked over at me. “That’s everything?”

“He grabbed my arm to get the phone, but he didn’t have a very good grip so he ended up just getting my sleeve instead.”

“You’ll have a different adviser by the beginning of the new semester.”

“What? How is that possible? It takes months to arrange something like that.”

“Calder will figure it out; otherwise, he believes the video will go to the board.”

“It should go to the board regardless.” If Calder had done this to me and that other girl, he’d probably done it before and would do it again.

“Yeah—but first I want that fucker to find you a new adviser. Then you can knock his house of cards down.”

Hayden pulled out his phone and made a call. “Hey, Lisa.” His tone was clipped. “What time is my first appointment? . . . And the next one? . . . Can you reschedule the one for noon and leave the block empty? I’m going to be late. . . . Uh-huh. . . . No. . . . Yeah.” He hung up.

“You didn’t have to reschedule your first client. I’m okay.”

“I’m not.”

“He didn’t hurt me.”

“He could have. If I hadn’t been there, he might have tried to.” Hayden reached out and touched my cheek. His fingers trembled, as he fought to stay in control of his emotions.

“But you were there, so it’s okay,” I said, hoping to soothe him.

“I’m taking you home.”

“You don’t need to do that. Do you want to stop somewhere first? We could get a bite to eat.”

“I’m not particularly hungry.”

“It might make you feel better.”

“There’s only one thing that’s going to make me feel better.” His dark gaze raked over me. “And while I’m perfectly content to fuck you in the backseat, I’d much prefer to do it in the comfort of my bed, because I don’t think I have it in me to be very gentle.”

“I see,” I said calmly, even though I was anything but. “We should probably go home, then.”

“That would be best.” Hayden shifted the car into gear, his eyes moving to the road.

We were finally done with the sex hiatus.

Hayden could have broken the sound barrier on the way home. The tires squealed as we pulled into the underground parking garage and he slid neatly into his spot. I was out of the car and beelining for the elevator before he had the key out of the ignition. I had every intention of capitalizing on his primal desire.

“Someone’s eager.” Hayden’s chest brushed against my back when he pushed the button for the elevator.

It dinged a few seconds later and the doors opened. Impatient, I catapulted inside. Hayden followed at a leisurely pace, enjoying my anticipation. Heedless of how desperate I came across, I pushed the button for the second floor and punched CLOSE DOORS until they finally responded.

Hayden leaned against the opposite wall, his fingers curled around the rail. His grip seemed to be the only thing that kept him from taking me to the floor.

“I shouldn’t have waited this long.” His tongue ring peeking out to slide over his bottom lip and click against the viper bite.

I must have looked as worked up as I felt because his mouth turned up in a cocky grin and he pushed away from the rail. He stalked across the small space in two long strides and stopped in front of me, close but not touching.

With lazy fingers he undid the buttons on my coat, parting the sides to reveal my dress. It no longer conformed to my curves, having been stretched out in my altercation with Professor Calder.

The elevator chimed, signaling our arrival on the second floor. Hayden motioned for me to exit. His palm settled on my low back, guiding me down the hall. As soon as we were inside his condo, I found myself pressed against the wall. Hayden’s mouth covered mine and he pushed my coat over my shoulders.

“You have no idea what I’m going to do to you.”

It was a warning and a plea. We needed each other on the most basic level. It was that simple.

“Are you healed enough?” One hand slipped between my legs. “Please tell me this is okay.”

“It’s been long enough.” I rocked against his palm, testing out the friction.

“Thank fuck.”

Not interested in preliminaries, he pulled my dress up to my hips and broke the kiss to get it over my head. It joined my coat on the floor. His breath left him in a rush as he exposed the pale blue bra covered in a tiny-cupcake print. Hayden’s calm composure broke as he traced the hot-pink lace edge with fingers that shook.

“How much more of this cupcake stuff do you have?”

“Let’s just say my shopping trip with the girls was theme oriented.” I pulled down the zipper on his coat.

“That’s very good to hear.”

He kissed me again, slow and deep, walking me backward down the hall to his bedroom. Light filtered through the half-open curtains, leaving nothing in shadow. When we reached the bed, I lifted myself onto the edge. Hayden didn’t waste any time as he rid me of my tights, tossing them on the floor. I returned the favor by tugging his shirt over his head.

“I fucking love these.” Hayden cupped my breasts and skimmed lower to sweep over the satin and lace at my hips.

As he claimed my mouth again, his palms smoothed around my back and found the clasp of my bra, freeing it. It joined the rest of our clothes on the floor. Hayden’s thumbs brushed over my nipples, gently at first and then pinching roughly. My gasp broke the kiss.

“Sorry. I’m sorry,” he murmured.

He sank to his knees and I parted my legs. Warm hands drifted up the outside of my thighs as he placed a penitent kiss on the offended nipple. The tenderness was a stark contrast to the heat and need in him. He sucked and nibbled his way across to the other breast. Desire sparked fire in my veins. I was consumed by the craving to feel him on me, in me, shattering me and making me whole at that same time.

When he released my nipple, I moved back, making room for him on the bed. Every tattoo, every line of ink wrapped around defined muscles, was visible as he came after me, looking savagely dangerous.

He latched on to my ankle, preventing me from going any farther. With a lascivious smile he kissed his way up my calf, his ascent torturously slow. When he reached his destination, his mouth closed over the pale satin. The hot, wet press of his tongue against the fabric was a promise of what was to come. I lifted my hips and he hooked his fingers into my panties, dragging them down. His hair tickled my hip as he dropped a kiss on the cupcake tattoo.

“Ah, fuuuuck,” Hayden breathed. “That is so sexy.”

His lips parted, transfixed as his knuckle dragged over the curved barbell. The piercing slid along with the movement. I made a throaty sound.

“Tell me how it feels, kitten. Is it good? Was it worth it?” he asked in that liquid sex voice I missed so much.

I was so tightly wound, already on the brink of coming even though he’d barely touched me. He circled my entrance with a finger and pressed down on my clit. I whimpered, unable to form words. He took pity on me, watching my face as he slid two fingers inside and curled them up. There was no slow buildup, nothing gradual about the way he manipulated my body. His tongue flicked out and I closed my legs at the devastating sensitivity caused by the piercing and the gathering orgasm.

Hayden’s free hand descended on my inner thigh, spreading me wider while he held the other one down with his forearm. Then his tongue flattened against my clit and he licked up; steel hitting steel. The dual sensation made me buck against his mouth. Heat coiled where Hayden’s tongue and fingers moved until I fell apart, crying out his name.

He looked up at me from under dark lashes. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous when you come.”

On weakened arms I sat up, and Hayden rose with me. I kissed his flushed, wet lips, tasting myself, then pushed on his chest. He moved back, giving me room to climb into his lap. I took my time exploring the lines of his ink, starting with my fingers, following with my mouth.

When the need became too much to bear, I freed that straining hardness from his boxers. Gripping him tightly, I stroked once and bent to lick the tip.

“Fuck me,” he hissed. “You don’t need to do that.”

He started to pull me up, but half a second later I engulfed the head, and the pull became a push. I took him in my mouth while he swore under his breath, muttering about porn. I popped off and licked up the shaft, spreading the wetness with my palm.

“It’s been a while,” I said as I straddled his thighs. “I thought it might make it easier.”

He was tense as I leaned in to kiss him. When he was sufficiently distracted, I wrapped my hand around him and rose up on my knees. The head of his cock slid over my clit and his stud made a muted clink against my barbell.

“I just want—”

He never finished the thought as I sank down, watching his eyes flutter shut and his lips part. I angled him in, taking in the studs that pierced the head one side at a time. Burying my face in his neck, I gritted my teeth against the searing burn that accompanied the invasion. It had been like this the last time, too. As though my body had forgotten how to handle him in the weeks of separation.

Hayden’s breath came out in quick pants as he filled me. I couldn’t stop the high-pitched moan that fell from my lips when my ass came to rest on his thighs.

“Are you okay?” He released his viselike grip on my hips.

His palms flattened against my back and moved up, curling around my shoulders, holding me still.

I waited until the hot burn subsided before I answered. “I’m better than okay.” I rocked slightly, testing him and myself, desperate to move yet not wanting him to let go of me.

“Kitten.” His grip tightened in warning and he exhaled slow, heavy breaths.

We sat there for a long while, bodies still. When he was ready, he pried his fingers from my shoulders and kissed where they had been. His palms came to rest on the swell of my ass. I lifted slowly, the fullness giving way to emptiness. When I felt the steel balls pass the most sensitive spot, I reversed the motion, taking him back inside.

He took over then, setting a slow, even pace. The angle, the position, the way he kept me from moving at the speed I wanted– lips brushing, but not kissing—turned my body into a wasteland of need. I looked down to the place where we were joined to watch him slide out of me. The next downward stroke came fast and hard, my moan cut short by my ragged intake of breath.

“It’s too good. You feel too fucking good.” He shook his head, then his body went rigid. “Shit. Sorry. I couldn’t help it.” When the tremors stopped, he kissed me in atonement. “Now that that’s out of the way . . .”

He moved against me, igniting embers into flames. “You sure you don’t need some downtime?” I asked breathlessly.

“Never with you.” He laid me on the bed, staying inside me. He kissed the valley between my breasts and sat back on his knees, wrapping my thighs around his waist. Then he pulled his hips back and eased forward, gauging my response. “Okay?”

“Please.”

He rose up, keeping his hold on my legs; the new angle drove him deeper. I reached behind me, searching for something to grab. The wooden slats of the headboard were the perfect anchor. I stretched my arms above me, gripping tightly. The rest of my body curved toward Hayden on his knees.

He moved hesitantly at first, but it wasn’t enough for either of us. He was too needy, conflict raging as he battled for the control he didn’t have.

I met his fiery gaze. “Take me.”

“Fuck,” he growled, and yanked me away from the headboard.

He unlocked my legs from his hips and pushed them toward my body. Leaning forward, he hooked my ankles over his shoulders, bearing down. My knees hit my chest and I gripped his forearms. The weight of his body sent another ripple of desire rushing through me. And then he started to move.

“Is this what you were looking for?” He punctuated each word with a powerful thrust, his mouth beside my ear.

I responded with a series of affirmative expletives. I was pinned beneath him as he pounded into me, unleashing sensations I had no idea my body was capable of producing. I couldn’t find leverage, unable to move. He was dominating the act entirely, making my body a slave to his.

“God, I love fucking you,” he said through labored breaths, his hips slapping ceaselessly against my thighs.

It was so close to the words I wanted to hear from him, but I didn’t yet deserve. I knitted my fingers in his hair and kissed my way across his jaw. His mouth opened to accept me, then he took control of that as well.

“I don’t want to be without you again,” I said, wishing I could tell him how I felt, afraid to.

My response elicited a deep groan from Hayden, pushing me over the edge. I was barely past the crest of my orgasm when he folded back on his knees, easing my right leg over to the other shoulder. His forearm crossed over my shins, holding my legs to his chest, my unmarked skin against the network of art that covered him. He looked down at me, all the unspoken words reflected in his eyes.

“I’ll never get enough of you.” His voice was rough.

He changed tempo, his hips moving inexorably slow. But the orgasm didn’t wane. Instead it was wave after wave of excruciating pleasure. My body went into overdrive, so sensitive I trembled with the unending release.

“Oh, God. It’s too much.”

I bowed up in an arc and gripped the sheets, needing to hold on to something. He was gloriously feral as his hands moved up my shins, over my knees, and across my thighs. His fingers were tight on my hips as he continued the erotic assault.

His viselike grip relaxed and his pace slowed once again. My legs slid off Hayden’s shoulders and rested limply on either side of his thighs. He splayed one hand between my shoulder blades and his other palm pressed flat against my stomach. His fingers ghosted over hypersensitive skin.

Suddenly he lifted me into his lap again and circled a nipple with his tongue, and my wilted form jerked in his arms. He chuckled darkly, trailing kisses until our mouths met.

His movements were gentle and reverent as I regained some control over my body. He pulled me close, his hands on my waist, grinding me over him. Soon, his short thrusts sped up and became more frantic.

Just like the first time we were together, he cupped my chin in his palm and whispered hoarsely, “Look at me.”

His icy-blue eyes shone with vulnerability.

“I—I need—” He shook his head. “You’re mine.” His body stiffened.

It felt as if I had always been his. My heart belonged to him for as long as he wanted to keep it.

17
HAYDEN

I pulled into the Tiffany’s parking lot. I hadn’t bought Tenley a real Christmas present and I was running out of time. I’d picked up a few small things, but nothing that told her how I felt about her without actually saying it. Lisa had sent me here to rectify that. I had no idea what I was supposed to buy, but according to Lisa, I couldn’t go wrong with Tiffany’s, so here I was. Forty-five minutes before my next client’s appointment.

I should have planned the trip out better. I was in work wear: jeans, my Inked Armor button-down, and worn-in boots. At least my jacket wasn’t too bad because it was black. I hoped it was unremarkable enough that I didn’t stick out like a sore thumb.

Normally I didn’t care, but this was important and I didn’t want to fuck up Tenley’s present. It was our first Christmas together and I wanted to create new memories. Good ones that might help ease the pain of her loss. After all these years I still had a hard time around the holidays, and I was hoping now that I had Tenley, things would be better.

Locking up my car, I headed for the front entrance. Several of the cars I passed were of the luxury variety. Lots of douche mobiles, a sweet Lexus, and one very sleek Audi. I opened the door of the elegant store, prepared to be tossed out, but the place was so busy my arrival went almost unnoticed. The store was full of well-dressed businessmen on the same mission as me.

One of the girls behind the counter glanced my way, gave me a quick once-over, and smiled. Her attention was drawn away as a balding man approached. Her smile widened as he addressed her, and she unlocked a small window behind the counter to retrieve a tray of diamond bracelets. Judging by his attire, he was ready to drop a boatload of money.

I shoved my hands in my pockets, wishing I’d had the fore-thought to change. Even dress pants instead of jeans would have helped give me a better chance at decent service. I tried not to draw attention to myself as I browsed. All I wanted to do was buy something and get the hell out of here.

I stopped in front of a case of engagement rings. I’d seen Tenley’s in pictures, and the rock was a behemoth. I couldn’t imagine her picking something like that out. She was more subtle than that. Not that I should be thinking about it; her first experience with the whole engagement thing had been pretty fucking traumatic. There was no way either of us wanted that—not now. Maybe not ever.

I hadn’t even told Tenley I was in love with her. I almost had yesterday morning, when I finally got inside her again. Talk about a revelation. It had been the most intense sex I’d ever had in my life, and not just because of the physical release. It went way deeper than that. Tenley and I connected on a different level and I wanted to be with her like that again.

Waiting that long had been stupid, though. Last night she was so sore afterward that I ended up soaking in the tub with her for an hour. We had a naked make-out session that got a little messy on my end. I shook my head, pushing away thoughts of Tenley naked. My dick was already responding, and I had to will it to retreat with mental threats of castration.

I checked out the next case and grinned as I spotted the perfect gift, sparkling in its plush little box. I noted movement in my peripheral vision and looked over to see the girl who’d smiled at me standing about three feet away.

“Hi, I’m Francine. Can I help you find something?”

Even her name made me feel inferior, which was absurd. I could afford to shop in a store like Tiffany’s. It was others’ automatic assumption that I couldn’t, based on my appearance, that made me avoid places like this.

I looked around the store. All the other sales reps, most of whom were female, were waiting on suits. One man stood behind the counter, interacting with no one. He was dressed differently from those working the floor. He had to be her boss. His hands were clasped behind his back and he stared at her intently. What a douche. She must have drawn the short straw and been told to wait on me. I smiled.

“I’d like to get this for my girlfriend.” I pointed at the little cupcake pendant. “I love cupcakes, and, uh . . . she makes the best cupcakes ever, so I figure it’s fitting, yeah?”

I hoped if I kept talking, she’d start to look more comfortable.

Francine smiled. “That sounds perfect, and quite thoughtful. Would you like her to wear it as a necklace or a bracelet?”

“Uhhhh—”

I ran a hand through my hair, flustered. I had an affinity for Tenley’s neck; I spent a lot of time with my face buried in it. Most nights my lips were pressed against it, and sometimes I liked to nibble. Would a necklace interfere with my ability to nuzzle? I was being ridiculous. I could take it off if it bothered me.

“Can we look at chains and bracelets before I make a decision?”

“Of course.” She unlocked the case and lifted out the pendant. “This retails at just under eleven hundred dollars,” she said softly. “We have other options if you’d like to have a look at those, as well.”

She was trying to save me embarrassment in case I couldn’t afford it. I was amazed something so small could cost that much money, but it wasn’t going to stop me from buying it.

“That’s fine.”

She looked relieved that I wasn’t pissed off or offended. She led me to the counter where the bracelets and chains were and pulled out two trays with a plethora of options. I shrugged and she gave me a sympathetic smile.

“May I suggest a necklace? It’s typically how this pendant is worn.”

“That sounds good.” I nodded enthusiastically, glad she knew what she was doing.

“Would you prefer something delicate, or something more like this?” She held up a heavy linked chain.

Decisions about jewelry should be a lot simpler. Apparently I was wrong. I shed my coat and shoved my sleeves up, because I was starting to sweat. Her eyes gravitated to my wrists and up my forearms. I almost pushed my sleeves back down to cover the ink, but figured it was pointless. I shouldn’t care.

“She’s petite.” I sized up Francine. They were about the same height, but Tenley was narrower, with more curves. “Kind of like you? And she’s not into flash.”

“Ah, so delicate would more appropriate?”

“That sounds good, yeah.”

We settled on a platinum chain that seemed too thin to withstand any manhandling. Francine threaded the pendant on the chain and put it into a black necklace box, which fit perfectly into one of those little, blue Tiffany & Co. boxes. Then she wrapped it in blue paper, finishing it off with a white ribbon tied into a little bow. She put it in one of those froufrou bags and tied that with more white ribbon.

I was dropping a bundle, but I didn’t care. Money hadn’t been an issue since my parents’ deaths, and Tenley deserved something pretty. Plus I felt good about having gone out and got it for her myself, without any help apart from Lisa’s advice on where to go.

Francine rang me up and I handed over my credit card. The transaction went through and I signed for it, putting the receipt in my wallet.

“If you have any problems, please don’t hesitate to bring it back in,” she said as she passed the dainty blue bag over.

“Right. Thanks.” I nodded dumbly, not sure what could go wrong with a necklace. “I just hope she likes it.”

“I’m sure she’ll love it. She’s a lucky girl.”

“I don’t know about that, but thanks for all the help.”

Francine smiled warmly. “It was my pleasure.”

It was a standard response, but for some reason, I believed she meant it.

I was late getting back to work and my client was there. Being late usually stressed me out, but things were laid-back at the shop this afternoon because after today, we closed for the holidays. My waiting client was my last.

“Nice of you to show up on time,” Lisa snarked as I walked through the door. Her tune changed as soon as she saw the bag hanging from my finger. “Oooooh, you found something! Let me see!”

“Later. My client is waiting.”

Only special clients were scheduled today, and Amy was one of the few. The shop was buzzing with excitement. Lisa had decorated the place in pale blues, silver, and black. Cookies and mulled cider were on the counter, along with cupcakes Tenley must have dropped off. They were topped with fluffy, white icing and sprinkled with little silver candies. I grabbed one on my way by and peeled the wrapper back, exposing the delicious cake.

“You want one?” I asked Amy, and motioned to the cupcakes. “My girlfriend makes them. They’re awesome.”

“I’ve already had two. I probably shouldn’t have another.” She picked up her mug of cider and followed me into the private room.

Once Amy and I went over the part of the tattoo we were going to shade, I left her to undress and put on the smock for cover. Lisa practically pounced on me when I came back out. If I’d been thinking, I would have left the little bag in the private room. Instead, it was still hanging off my finger. I passed it over.

I was all antsy as she opened it and pulled out the small Tiffany’s box. She started untying the bow.

“Wait! What are you doing? I won’t be able to rewrap that.” I reached over to snatch it from her, but she put a hand up to stop me.

“Don’t worry, I will.” She unwrapped the paper carefully and opened the blue box, lifting the black lid. She stared at the cupcake charm resting on the black velvet.

“It’s stupid, isn’t it?” I asked, suddenly unsure of my choice.

“No, it’s not stupid. It’s perfect. She’s going to love it.”

I gave myself an internal pat on the back. Score one for Stryker. If only the rest of the holidays could be this easy to manage.

Tenley’s irritated cursing distracted me from the task of choosing between a gray button-down and an electric-blue one.

“What’s up, kitten?” I called from inside my closet.

“I need help. The zipper’s stuck.”

I stuck my head out. Tenley was standing in front of the mirror, neck craning as she tried to get the zipper past her waist. Her ink was mostly on display, as was the lacy bra-and-panty set she’d been parading around in for the last twenty minutes. It was the reason I’d disappeared inside the closet. We’d already had sex twice last night. Tenley had been needy and aggressive, which meant if we went another round this morning, I risked putting her out of commission or making us late for the holiday celebration at Cassie’s. Or later, since we were supposed to be there in fifteen minutes and it took at least that long to get there from here.

I came up behind her and swept a few stray hairs over her shoulder so they wouldn’t get caught in the zipper. Tenley let go and the dress slipped down. I could see the thick lace band of her panties and then the soft, perfect swell of her ass. My dick got excited and I mentally told it to back off.

Tenley was out of sorts this morning for obvious reasons. I remembered what the holidays without my parents had been like the first couple of years. I had coped with ink and drugs.

“We could start on the color next week if you want,” I suggested as I backed the stuck zipper down.

“Really?”

“Yeah. There’s no reason not to. We can work from the shoulders down.”

“That sounds good. I’ve missed being in your chair.”

I looked up at her reflection in the mirror. The chair had been the first place where we’d honestly connected with each other on more than a physical level. It was the bond that came from artist and client. Except ours went far deeper. “Me, too.”

I was careful not to snag the lace overlay as I zipped her up. For all her undercurrents of rebellion, Tenley liked girlie dresses, which I liked, too. It made the ink and the steel underneath that much sexier. Her dress was so pale, the blush of pink was almost white. It was strapless, highlighting her still-too-prominent collarbones, but she’d gained a little weight since her return, as had I. I expected the holidays would help add to the softness in her curves, thanks to the barrage of baked goods she made.

I pressed my lips to her shoulder, and because I couldn’t help myself, I kept moving toward her neck. Tenley tilted her head to give me better access. Leaning against my chest, her hand came up and curled around my shoulder. I trailed kisses to the hollow under her ear.

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, that sultry voice making it hard to stop.

I stepped back so she didn’t feel the raging hard-on that threatened to make us later than we already were.

Tenley’s bottom lip jutted out in a pout. “Where are you going?”

“To get dressed.”

“Oh?” Her eyes moved down my bare chest and stopped below my waist. “Maybe you need some help with that.”

“I think I’ve got it covered.”

Tenley followed me into the closet anyway, and it took a lot longer to get dressed than I’d anticipated. Tenley’s version of being helpful included trying to persuade me to let her take care of the problem behind the fly of my pants. Eventually she gave up and picked a shirt and tie to go with my black dress pants.

She took her time as she buttoned the shirt, starting at the bottom and working her way up, covering the ink as she went. When she was done, she offered to tuck it in. I declined. She sighed, picked up the pin-up-girl tie, and slid it under the collar around my neck.

“You know how to tie a tie?”

She nodded and bit her lip in concentration as she began a double Windsor knot. “My dad taught me when I was twelve. I was better at it than he was. He used to have me preknot all his ties so he could slip them over his head rather than fiddle with them. Connor was just as bad—” She shook her head. “Sorry.”

His name was like an electric shock, she spoke of him so rarely. Her hands shook as she pulled the knot tight. Her palm smoothed down the front and I caught it, bringing it to my lips to kiss her knuckles.

“I know today is going to be hard for you. You can talk about him if you want to. It won’t upset me.” He couldn’t come back and take her away. But his memory could incite guilt, eating away at her and making it difficult for her to be open with me.

Her eyes remained on her feet. “I can’t. I’ll cry.”

“That’s okay. I have tissues.”

I pulled her into my arms and she snuggled in tight. Her slender body shook as she fought against the tide of emotion threatening to sweep her away. It had been like that the last couple of days. I’d find her standing in front of the tree, fingering an ornament with tears streaming down her face. She always wiped them away and brushed it off, but I knew what today would be like. So many years ago, I was in the same place.

When she pulled away, her focus stayed on the collar of my shirt. She adjusted the lapels and straightened my tie again, even though it didn’t need it. Her breathing was deep and even. When she finally looked up, her eyes were shiny with unshed tears and her smile was weak. She’d crack at some point today. It was inevitable.