“Shh, sweetheart. You’ve been carrying everyone else. Let me carry you for a little while.”
She let her hand snake under his suit coat to rest against his chest and something inside him relaxed. She’d been mad at him for dragging her away from their daughter, but if she could settle in his arms, they’d figure it out. Moving slowly in case the plane jolted, he carried her the few steps to the door of the small bedroom, nudging the latch with the back of his hand. The bed had been made up with a soft white down comforter and when she saw it, Claire let out a groan of pleasure that had him considering much more than sleep.
He set her gently on her feet before pulling back the covers and urging her to sit on the bed. Dropping to his knees in front of her, he reached for her foot and slipped off the nude heels. He’d seen her in work boots and heels and padding barefoot around in the home they shared and he loved every single facet of her. The mother and wife, business woman and sex kitten. He wanted her to be whatever she wanted to be. He hated that she seemed to be struggling at the moment with balancing it all, and he was determined to help her find her way to a new normal.
When they’d met, Claire had been so independent and so used to dealing with things on her own. It took forever for her to trust him and let him help. She still occasionally slipped back into old habits, muscling through or trying to muscle through by herself. She didn’t need to do that anymore. They were a team in all things, including raising their daughter. He pushed aside for a moment any remorse he had for railroading her into taking this trip. Or rather, remorse he didn’t feel but probably should. Compromise was new to him too. He didn’t always do it well.
“I’m sorry,” she said, tangling her fingers in his hair.
“For what?” he said, momentarily caught off guard.
“For trying to freeze you out earlier. I know we need time alone. I want that time.” She slid her hand to cup his cheek and his body tightened at the heat he saw reflected in her hazel eyes gone green. “I just don’t know how to leave Bella, and I feel guilt for every moment I’m away from her. I know Becky will take good care of her—better care of her than her distracted mother.” She pressed a fingertip to his lips before he could protest. “But I still hate being away from her.”
“First of all.” He slid onto the bed beside her and pulled her into his arms. “No one takes better care of our daughter than you do. It’s true, Claire.” He held his hand up when he saw her start to get ready to protest. “You can’t let the guilt blind you from the reality of the situation. I know what a bad mother looks like. You’re not one.” She sagged against him in what felt more like defeat than acceptance, but he’d take his victories in small bites if he had to. “And I miss her too, but I also miss you. Bella grew out of our love for each other. I want to keep that part of us alive and thriving. We owe it to ourselves and to our daughter.”
“You’re right,” she said, and he felt her head nod against his chest.
“Damn straight.” He heard her giggle and reached down to tip her chin up to face him. Her eyes shone with unshed tears but she was smiling, which counted as another small victory. “What are the chances of me getting you to say that again while I record it? I could use it as my ringtone.”
“It’s not going to happen, Masters, and if you push me, I’m going to deny I said it.”
“It’s okay.” He brushed a kiss over her lips, loving the way her breath caught when he touched her. “We both know the truth. Now I’m the emotionally mature one in this relationship.” He leaned away from her, narrowly avoiding her playful swat. Considering where their relationship started and how emotionally constipated he had been in the beginning, calling himself mature at anything to do with his feelings and hers was a stretch.
“That’s a bold claim.” Her eyes showed some of the familiar fire he’d missed so much.
“I’m a bold man. And right. You said so.” He caught her hand with his, bringing her knuckles to his lips. “Come on, let’s get you into bed before I decide there’s something you need more than sleep.”