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His hands released ly down my arms, then clasped ering kiss onbreath to hold you again--to see you look at ht Till then, I’ll be here Whatever you need, I’ll be here for you"

Within my chest, I reached out to wipe away the tear that fell from his watery blue eyes

His lips pulled into the faintest s down atthe universe to take away our pain; it drovemy vision With all the willpower I had, they never slid free

I finally o"

He nodded again, leaning down to place the tiniest kiss onthe o back up once he walked out the door My resolve to remain still nearly faltered in that instant, but his sweet, sensual touch was quick; before I knew it, he alking to the bedroorabbed his coat from the chair and put it on, shoved his hands deep into his loose paja--anything at all--call me I’m always here Don’t ever be stubborn withtenderness, war me from the inside out

"Thank you," I replied softly

"Anytime, sweetheart"

I watched as he turned and left me alone in the house to deal with the after inside hbors

With one knock, the door opened to a bea Oliver I was early, but he didn’t seem to notice That was the beauty with kids

Oliver had called earlier that week to invite me over for lunch, and I couldn’t refuse hian andabout my friendship with Oliver He always

"Cassie!" His grin faltered a beat as he appraised ood as new, his expression perked back up

"How you been, buddy?" I asked, hating that he looked sad for even the briefest htly when he threw hi me A bark sounded from behind him, and he pulled away to lift Scout in his arms

"See, I told you she was okay," Oliver whispered to the pup

I setting back to normal--or as normal as they could

Oliver held the door forinroom and relaxed down into the sleek brown leather armchair The memories of my last tier decorated reaths and garland The Christ but a faded , I still cherished My hand flew to iven one--thrown on the paveround with the condom he’d chucked at me moments before