Part 18 (1/2)

Her eyes were filled with emotion. I swallowed hard, dropping my head. ”If you're asking me if things could be different, then yes.” I squeezed her, placing a soft kiss to her temple. ”I do wish there were ways we could make this work.” Her eyelids sealed blissfully, pleased with my response.

Reality.

It always caught up to us somehow. Though she was satisfied with my answer, I knew it was dumb to say. Even if we wanted more, we couldn't have it. There were some things I couldn't claim, and me claiming Chloe as my own was one of them.

But I didn't tell her that. I didn't tell her because, even while I held her close and we watched the ocean and the seagulls pa.s.s by with distant caws, I knew I couldn't ruin this moment right now.

This peace.

This bliss.

This beautiful girl between my legs, allowing me to kiss her. Allowing someone as myself to hold and protect her. She trusted me. She cared about me. I couldn't break or demolish that.

But plenty of other things definitely could.

My phone vibrated on the table. I glanced back, brows drawing together. Placing a quick kiss on Chloe's cheek before releasing her, I stood and walked to the table to pick up my cellphone. The name on the screen shattered all bliss. All peace.

Izzy.

Chloe walked towards me. ”What is it?”

I swallowed hard, and when I turned to look at her, she immediately spotted the guilt in my eyes. Her entire demeanor changed. She no longer smiled. She couldn't even look at me.

Instead, she turned around, gripping the silver railing and looking towards the sunset. I looked from her backside to my phone. I'd missed the call, but I knew I had to get home and call my daughter.

Guilt-ridden, I walked towards her and wrapped my arms around her from behind. She sighed, and when I turned her around to face me, her eyes were damp. ”No, Chloe,” I whispered, pleading. ”Please, baby. Don't cry.”

”I-” Her mouth clamped shut in an instant. My heart ached, watching her struggle with words.

”Look at me.” I picked her face up in my hands, and when our eyes met, her tears fell, skidding down her cheeks. With the pad of my thumb, I swiped them away. ”It's okay. It's just a phone call. We can still spend time together, but we have to get back. I don't have good service out here, and I should call her back before she gets worried.”

d.a.m.n. When I actually listened to myself, it seemed like I was having an affair, not that I was speaking of my daughter.

She nodded, swiping her face. ”I understand... this is just crazy, ya know?”

A soft laugh blew out. ”Trust me. I know.”

”Well-” She stood up straight, removing her face from my hands. With a kind smile, she said, ”We should get out of here then. I should probably go shower too.” Her nose scrunched, a soft smile on her twisted lips. There she was, the Little Knight that understood me. The one that knew this whole ordeal was what it was and there would be no changing it.

So, after helping her collect her things, I went to the wheel and sailed back to the docks. I drove Ol' Charlie back to Primrose, but Chloe was quiet during the ride. When we were in my garage, I kicked the kickstand and helped her off. She forced a smile, placing the strap of her tote bag on her shoulder.

I sat on the seat, unsure of where to begin.

Luckily, I didn't have to. She started for me, face gentle. ”I had fun today, Theo.”

”Yeah,” I sighed. ”Me too. We should do it again.” She thought on it, trying to figure out when exactly that would happen. I saw her conflict, how her eyes gave the internal debate away. ”Anyway I'll text you.” I hopped off my bike, stepping in front of her.

She nodded. ”Okay.”

We stared at each other for a moment through the darkness. Nothing but the streetlights gave leeway for our vision. I could read her like a book. She was clearly upset, but was trying hard to hold onto contentment.

Stepping forward, I cupped one of her cheeks, and my mouth came above hers, but I didn't kiss her. I lingered, and her hand came to my waist, body closer. We were like magnets, unwilling to break apart unless the cause was distance. ”This doesn't change anything,” I said. ”You're still my Knight.”

Her cheeks tugged up, eyes falling. ”Go call Izzy,” she teased, but the remorse was clear in her voice.

I brought my head down, and our lips molded. She released a sigh, her arms draping over my shoulders, fingers curling in my hair. I stumbled forward until her back hit the wall, but I didn't dare stop kissing her.

She needed to know that we were okay. That nothing would change and we could still let this summer be.

She was still my girl.

My Little Knight.

My baby.

My air.

My beautiful savior. I say ”savior” because if it wasn't for her, I don't think I would have wanted to keep living after Janet pa.s.sed.

If it wasn't for her coming to check on me and helping me during the darkest, most desperate times, I wouldn't have been there. I would have been gone a long time ago, drowning in sorrow or most likely dead.

My hands held her face, my groan deep. I didn't want to stop kissing her-I could have all f.u.c.king night-but when my phone buzzed in my back pocket, I pulled back, cursing beneath my breath.

Her eyes sparkled as she ran her tongue over her swollen mouth. Pulling away, she tucked her hair behind her ears and then stepped aside. ”You should get that.”

I debated on going for another kiss and calling Izzy when I was done, or getting it now and watching her leave me with sullenness she didn't need.

But I knew if I kissed her again, there would be no stopping. It would have gone further, and I would have taken her inside, going for another round. It would happen because I could never get enough of this amazing woman.

”s.h.i.+t,” I hissed, yanking out my cellphone. I answered, but my eyes never left Chloe's. I held up a finger, begging her not to leave just yet.

”Dad!” Izzy shouted.

”Yes, Isabelle. What is it?”

”Where the h.e.l.l have you been?! I've been calling you for an hour straight!”

I glanced at Chloe who stood in the corner, her head down. I'm sure she was listening. ”I was working, Izzy. What is it?”

”I got into an accident.” It was then that I realized her voice was thick. She was crying.

I frowned, turning away from Chloe. ”What?! What the h.e.l.l happened? Are you okay?”

”Yeah I'm fine. I don't know. Some stupid SUV ran into the back of my car, and I lost control and ended up going over the curb. It's f.u.c.king raining here, and I couldn't see s.h.i.+t. G.o.d, my car is so f.u.c.ked up! I need you to come here-call the insurance company or something!”

”Alright, alright. Calm down. Breathe.” I inhaled and then exhaled deeply, turning in Chloe's direction again. She was no longer looking down. She was a step closer, concern written all over her face. ”Let me call the insurance company, and I'll call you right back.”