“Damn it.” He brought her flush against him. Hip to hip. Belly to belly. Heart to heart. His beat steadily while hers split in two.
She leaned away. His lips were close. One more kiss, that’s it. An image flashed in of looking at him just like this. Wanting him just like this. A perfect moment that changed everything. Except then, desire instead of conflict had rested in his gaze.
He kissed her.
Soft, sweet. Longing and sadness hooked into her chest, swirled up her throat. Her heart would never forget. Holding back a sob, she broke away. “Get Dalir, okay?”
Reid gripped her hands, laid his forehead to hers, and closed his eyes. A shuttering breath vibrated into her. “This is for the best.” He walked inside.
Seconds later Celine ran out. She grasped Lauren’s arms. “No, you can work it out. You just need time.”
Lauren suppressed a laugh, afraid it would turn into hysteria. Time, the bitch that had screwed everything up. More of that? No, thank you. “I have to leave.”
“But he cares about you.” Celine sobbed. “He can’t send you away.”
“He’s not.” Lauren cupped Celine’s cheeks. She was such a loyal friend and ally who only wished good things for her. “I asked to go. It’s the right decision for me. It’s what I want. What I also want is for you to be happy with Thane. When all the shit with Kell is sorted out, you come back to us so we can throw you the best wedding ever. The way things work with these guys we might even get to do it a few times.” She tried to laugh but Celine’s tears prompted her own.
Celine hugged her. “Lauren, I’m so sorry. I feel like I pushed you toward him. If I would have known it would turn out like this, I would have stopped you from getting involved.”
“No. I wouldn’t have wanted you to. I’m not sorry I met him. Promise me you won’t hate him.”
Reid stared at Lauren. The sadness in his eyes was eclipsed by stubborn determination.
“I’ll try.” Celine gave her a tremulous smile and whispered. “But there’s no guarantee a hot cup of coffee or a glass of wine won’t land in his lap or on his head.”
Lauren forced herself to let go of Celine.
Colby, West, and Mace embraced Lauren in turn.
Thane gave her an extra-long hug. “I’ll take care of her…and him.”
“You better.” Tears mercifully turned Reid into a blur. As she blinked them back, she faced Dalir. “All right. How does this work? Do I click my heels and wake up in my bed?”
“Close.” Dalir gave her one of his barely there smiles with a hint of compassion.
He made her cry all over again. He loved Reid, too, like a brother. He’d watch over him. They all would. Reid didn’t need her.
Dalir reached out to her. “Take my hand.”
Chapter 19
Reid held Lauren in his arms. Predawn shadows darkened the cabin’s living room to a watery gray. Deep in supernatural sleep, she didn’t stir as he laid her on the couch. This is the way it should have happened. He should have left her in peace. No explanations. No risking her life. Neither one of them trying to convince themselves or each other that the fantasy they’d indulged in could work.
He found a trash bag in the kitchen. As he searched all of the rooms, he tossed what belonged to him. Not much.
She had a few more boxes to look through in the loft. It wouldn’t take long for her to finish. He could move the boxes she’d plan to throw and give away outside near the front porch. That’s what he’d planned to do the day of Jenny’s accident.
The fall sketch lay on the pile.
Her best worst day.
A bitter chuckle he couldn’t stop shot out. If only he could claim one bad day. A screwed-up mission, losing his memory, being tortured by Kell, and the bastard getting away. That wasn’t the vilest part. He’d found the woman who mended his soul. Cared about him. Then, he broke her heart. His throat tightened. She wouldn’t remember, but he’d see her every time he hiked a mountain trail. Sat in front of a fire. When he saw Celine with Thane or closed his eyes to block out the image of their happiness. He’d never forget.
After he placed the boxes and bags outside, he went back to her.
She curled in a ball and shivered.
He covered her with the throw blanket. Kissed her. Breathed in her scent.
Lauren snuggled into the cushions, and her soft exhale dried his cheek.
Time’s up. Dalir had given him only an hour to set things right. Reid walked out into the rising sun. The watercolor sitting at the top of the box turned vibrant and alive with color. He picked it up and phased.