Page 107 of Leah

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“What are you doing here?” I asked tiredly after opening my eyes.

Carter was in my room in the dead of night, and he’d been pacing in it, running a ragged hand through his hair over and over again.

He seemed startled that I’d said something. He went still, and while I couldn’t see his eyes from this distance, I sensed he was staring at me. “Couldn’t sleep,” he said quietly.

“How come?” I wondered, turning on my side to look at him.

“A lot on my mind.”

“Care to share?”

He took a few steps forward, stopping at the edge of my bed. I felt his hand at my leg, squeezing it. “I…” I heard him take a few breaths, and he seemed…off.

“You what, Carter?” I asked, feeling warmed by his sweet touch. God, this man undid me.

“I have to say something,” he told me.

I hummed when he squeezed my leg again, my tired muscles loosening after a day working at the bar. The bed sank as he sat down, his body turned in my direction, peering down at me. I looked up at him, smiling softly. “You want to turn the light on, Carter?”

“I have to say it in the dark,” he murmured.

Now I waited patiently as he continued to run a hand over me. His fingers were in my hair and now I was shutting my eyes, enjoying all this attention.

“Leah,” he breathed. “I…”

“You what?” I asked again, already feeling my pulse quicken.

I heard him swallow hard, and this time I looked at him closely because…there was something wrong. He seemed nervous, maybe even afraid.

“I…” He took more breaths. “Fuck, Leah, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Why am I not normal? Why can’t I just tell you I…?”

I sat up now, concerned for him. I grabbed his hand, squeezing it back. “It’s okay, Carter. It’s okay.” I pulled him to me then. “You don’t need to apologize.”

“Apologize?” he repeated.

“You didn’t mean to be stern with me this morning, and I shouldn’t have pushed—”

“What are you talking about?”

I stopped pulling him to look at him. “You got shitty when I pushed you to accept the invitation at the concert they’re throwing by the gardens. I didn’t mean to pressure you. I just want the world to hear your voice—”

“No, I know,” he cut in. “I know, Angel. I’m not…I wasn’t…I didn’t mean to be snippy.”

“I know.”

“You believe in me so damn much—”

“Of course—”

“I don’t want to let you down.”

I gave his hand a kiss. “Never.”

I felt his stare on me for a few minutes. I wondered… “So, you wanted to apologize, is that why you’re here?”

His voice sounded flat, even sad. “Yeah…”

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