She’s amazing. The pain is there, and I don’t think that hole in her heart will ever be patched. Kelsey could go on to have ten kids once her life is settled, but none of them will ever replace Brandy. One child cannot replace another, something I didn’t get, but Brandy will be a part of Kelsey no matter what. I do hope she gets to meet her daughter one day and that her daughter understands what a sacrifice it was and still is for Kelsey to give her up just so Brandy could have a better life.

Kelsey yawns and stretches. “I think I need a nap.” She laughs. “Shopping and wrapping can wear a person out.”

“Plus, we only got about four hours sleep last night.” I hold out my hand. “Come with me.”

“That’s not necessary,” she says.

“I want a nap too.” And, I want to hold and kiss her out of sight of my roommates. The two of us were having fun, but as the living room filled with the guys, I lost having Kelsey to myself. I don’t like sharing her any more than I have to.

None of the guys are snickering about me napping with Kelsey. At least they’ve grown up in that sense, even if they still watch Saturday morning cartoons.

“What do you want for supper, Kelsey?” Dylan calls as we are going up the stairs.

She blinks at him.

“You did all this, so I’m cooking for you.”

“That is not necessary.”

Dylan just lifts an eyebrow waiting.

“Just throw a frozen pizza in the oven. Really, I’m not picky.”

“Pizza it is.”

“Why does it matter? He shouldn’t be cooking for me. I may be home for supper.” She asks after I close my bedroom door.

“I hope you’re still here in a few hours. And, you did do all the work. We hate wrapping presents.”

“It’s no big deal.” Kelsey shrugs. “I kind of liked it. It was fun. I’ve never done anything like that before.”

I try to hide my yawn, but it’s impossible. “Let’s get some sleep.”

Kelsey nods and crawls onto the bed. I grab a blanket and pull it over us and spoon around her. Even though we are fully clothed, I start getting hard. My body just reacts to everything that is Kelsey.

“Alex.”

“Yeah.”

“I can feel your cock.”

We are not going to rehash that conversation again, are we? “It’ll always be between us.”

“I know.”

“You’re not mad.”

“No. I kind of like it.”

“That’s because you don’t have to try and sleep with it like this.”

She chuckles. “Sorry.”

“Never, ever be sorry, Kelsey.” I kiss the side of her neck. “Get some sleep.”

She rolls on her back and looks up at me. “I’m really glad we talked this morning.”

I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Me too.” Then I kiss her, like I’ve been wanting to all day.

Her lips soften against mine, accepting me and I deepen the kiss. Her arms wrap around my shoulders, and I pull her close, practically on top of her. The more we kiss, the harder I get. This is all we have and no matter how uncomfortable I become, I’m not pulling away from Kelsey.

Our breaths mingle and match. Almost breathless, but I can pull away from her. I’m lost in all that is Kelsey, and I’m not sure I ever want to be found.