-25 <b>Canus </b>
Lena made sure Charlotte got home safely and even gave a few instructions to the housekeeper before leaving
Charlottey on the bed, marmuring incoherently just as Mrs. Sanders headed into the kitchen to make her some ginger tea, the doorbell rang
When she opened the door, she <b>was </b>startled. “Mr. Jasper? What brings you here?
“How is she?”
“Miss Riley had a bit too much to <b>drink</b>. I was just about to make her some ginger tea to settle her stomach.”
Sean pulled a few bills from his wallet. “You can take the night off. I’ll stay and <b>look </b>after her.”
Mrs, Sanders epted the cash. “Alright then, Mr. Jasper, kust give me a moment to pack a few things.”
She stepped aside to let him in. Sean walked in with the scent of alcohol and a chill clinging to him. His eyes wandered over the ce, scanning it with a calm, unreadable expression.
“At least Mr. Riley treats Lottie decently. This ce is still eptable,” he thought.
Mrs. Sanders set <b>a </b><b>cup </b>of hot tea on the living room table, Mr. Jasper, please have <b>a </b>seat. I’ll <b>be </b>out in just a moment,‘
<b>“</b>Where’s her room ?”
She pointed down the hall. “First door <b>on </b>the left.”
Sean didn’t bother sitting. He walked straight to her room. The door was unlocked.
As he opened it, he heard her soft voice mumbling in her sleep.
Sean Sean Jasper…
-Why don’t you want
The sound shattered something <b>in </b>him.
want me.. she whimpered, tears sealing her flushed cheeks.
He rushed to the bed. Charlotte was st
was still mi
murmuring in her sleep.
*Sean Jasper, you jerk.. I don’t want you anymore… go <b>away</b>.
He stared <b>at </b>her, Lashes trembling, and reached out to gently wipe away her <b>tears</b>. His voice was soft, like spring water melting in sunlight. “Yeah. I’m the worst,
Even in her sleep, she seemed to sense his presence. Instinctively, she scooted closer. “Sean..”
One moment she was angry, spouting curses <b>in </b><b>a </b>buff. The next, she was like a clingy little kitten, brushing her cheek against <b>his </b>hand.
“Don’t go don’t leave <b>me</b>. I’ll be good…”
Sean’s heart melted. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
His gaze softened. The love in <b>his </b>eyes was almost overwhelming. She kept brushing her warm, son cheek against his palm, making it hard for him to breathe.
His features softened, eyes brimming with tender affection<b>. </b>Wannth bloomed in his palm as her cheek gently nuzzled against it, again and again.
A feeling he <b>hadn’t </b>known in so long surged in his chest–ke happiness stolen <b>from </b>a dream, sweet but tinged with bitterness.
He sat by the bed, unable to look away <b>from </b>her face. He could have watched her forever and still not have had enough
<b>Mrs. </b>Sanders had finialed packing and came to say goodbye. But when she peeked though the slightly open door and saw the scene inside, she quietly left without
Sean couldn’t
He leaned down and kissed Charlotte gently on the cheek
was reverent. Tender. Void of any desir
She let out a soft hus, they suddenly reached up and wrapped her anus around his neck, murmuring, “Sean.….”
Her <b>vujen </b>was light<b>, </b>yful, like she was teasing him in her sleep.
Sean’s body teised. A wann tingle shot through him.
He pressed soft kisses <b>to </b>her brow, her cheek, her lips, her corbone.
He stayed the night.
Charlotte waspletely out of it, drunk and barely conscious. He carried <b>her </b>into the <b>battuou </b>and gently washed her<b>, </b><b>all </b>the while careful not to wake her. She didn’t str
After drying her off, be fucked her into bed and pulled the covers over her. Then he sat <b>down </b>beside her, quietly watching her sleep, his gaze full of warmth and
At dawn, he finally stood. Before leaving, he allowed himself onest look at her peaceful sleeping face
Then he turned, and quietly walked away.