arranged the boy on his hip. No response. These boys were like the dead when they slept. âItâs only got one bed but should be big enough for all of you.â
âIâm sure itâll be fine.â
Her voice was husky with sleep. It whispered over him and stirred a deep ache. He forced himself to concentrate on the task at hand.
âWell, come on and Iâll take you up.â
Leading the way up the winding staircase, he kept a firm hand on Jaydenâs back, glancing back at Cissy every few feet. She held Kayden close, but the boyâs weight seemed to take a toll on her, slowing her steps and weighing her small frame down.
âThis is it.â Dominic unlocked the door, opened it a crack and waited for her to reach his side. âNo chance theyâre gonna be up and about anymore tonight. Iâll bring your bags in tomorrow morning if you can do without them till then.â
She puffed a gold strand of hair out of her eyes. âThatâs fine.â
He toed the door open and moved to the bed, depositing Jayden on one side. Cissy followed and laid Kayden down, as well. Dominic stepped back, hands hanging at his sides.
Cissyâs hip brushed his when she leaned in to untie and remove Kaydenâs shoes. Her shirt rose from the waistband of her shorts, revealing smooth, silky skin. Dominic stifled the urge to run his palm over it and focused on her slim hands as she peeled off Kaydenâs socks.
Seeking a distraction, Dominic did the same for Jayden and dropped the items in a pile by the bed.
The boyâs head was at an awkward angle, his mouth open and snoring. Dominic smirked. Heâd passed out in the same position on many occasions. And nine times out of ten woke with a kink in his neck. Better head that off at the pass.
Reaching down, Dominic shifted Jaydenâs head to a more comfortable position and started when his eyes fluttered open. Jayden blinked several times before a slow smile stretched across his face, his eyelids heavy and drooping.
âCowboy,â Jayden whispered. His small hand fluttered upward to grasp the leather cord of the choker dangling from Dominicâs neck. Curling his fingers around it, he tugged hard.
Dominic lowered his head, easing the pull of the cord around his neck and bringing his face close to the boyâs. Jaydenâs other hand rose to bump and glide over the stubble on his jaw, his tiny palm warm and sweaty against his cheek.
âYouâll be here when I wake up?â Jaydenâs words emerged soft and slurred. He was already drifting back off.
Dominicâs chest tightened and his face flushed. For sure, heâd be here tomorrow. Beyond that, it was anyoneâs guess.
Jaydenâs sleepy gaze clung to him, hopeful expectancy glowing on his face.
âYeah, buddy,â Dominic whispered.
Gently untangling Jaydenâs fingers, he laid the boyâs arms back on the bed and stepped back. The weight of Cissyâs stare pressed on his face. He averted his head and moved awkwardly toward the door.
âDominic?â
Rubbing his hands over his jeans, he turned. Cissyâs hair was mussed and her eyes shadowed but her voice rang clear.
âYeah?â
âThanks for this.â
Her hands twisted at her waist, pulling on her thin shirt. There was a small wet spot on the material. It clung to the upper curve of her breast where Kaydenâs face had rested.
She looked vulnerable, lost and alone.
His palms itched to reach out and pull her in. Tuck her head beneath his chin and hold her close. He stepped forward.
She reached him first, pressing her fingertips against his chest and propelling him toward the door. âGood night,â she whispered.
The warmth from her fingers spread throughout his body as she nudged him into the hall. The soft fall of her blond hair and curve of her rosy cheek disappeared behind the firm click of the closed door.
The warmth dissipated, leaving cold