Her breathing was labored. She wanted him with every fiber of her being, then remembered they were on the roof. Anyone could come up. Sky released him. “My apartment is less than twenty minutes away.”
Her words jarred him back to reality. Remington placed his forehead against hers. It was hard getting air into his lungs. “I can’t leave. I promised I wouldn’t, at least not yet.”
Disappointed. Sky closed her eyes. “I understand.” And, thus the conundrum.
Remington’s phone announced a caller. “Charlie is calling.”
Their moment was over. It vanished just as quickly as it happened and reality came crashing down.
Remington rolled off of Sky and sat up to take the call while she adjusted her clothing. “Hey, you. I’m here. I just stepped out to get some fresh air.” Remington looked apologetically at Sky. “Okay, I’ll be down in a minute.” Seconds later, he disconnected the call. “I’ve got to get back.”
It took a minute, but Remington buttoned up his pants, then stood and held out his hand to help her up. Her eyes were bright, glassy, and it killed him. He was doing this to her. He knew she wanted more than he could give. Remington was going to have to cut the bullshit. He couldn’t keep doing things like things simply because he wanted her near.
“Of course.” Sky got to her feet and smoothed out her skirt. She was only slightly embarrassed that she had been rolling around on the roof of the hospital. Fortunately, she was sure there were no cameras up there.
He squeezed her hand because he hadn’t been able to let it go. “From now on—” He glanced up. “Every time there’s a perfect night like this, I’m going to call it Remington’s Sky. His lips barely touched hers in a feathery light kiss. He sighed. The battle was over. It was impossible to do what he knew he needed to. “There are a million and one reasons why we shouldn’t get involved, but right now, I don’t give a damn about any of them. Things are crazy. I don’t have to explain that to you. It’s selfish and wrong of me to ask you to be patient. Still, I’d like to figure out whatever this is between us.”
Sky smiled and whispered. “I’d like that too.” His words made her knees go weak. They were exciting and terrifying. What was she supposed to say considering he had just named a sky after her? The rational response would be pursuing a romantic relationship was not a good idea. However, when Sky imagined taking the long walk on the beach, it was with Remington.
Maybe it could work-out somehow? Sky couldn’t help but think things that are impossible are only impossible until they weren’t.
*****
Remington watched Charlie sleep. However, his mind kept fantasizing about Sky. The woman had his mind playing tricks on him. It was a no-brainer that he was physically attracted to her. Any warm-blooded man would be. But, there was also something else that called to him on a deeper level. That was the part that made him nervous. Still, he was excited about the possibilities. Sky didn’t want or need anything from him. She was a successful, thriving woman all on her own. She also had a soft spot for his daughter, and Charlie seemed to have the same feelings. Over the past weeks, the two of them developed some type of bond. That endeared Sky to him even more. Maybe when Charlie was more settled in whatever the future held, provided Sky was still single, he would invite her on a real date—show her that he was interested in more than just her body—and not just stolen moments. Remington had to be honest with himself too, he was very very interested in her body.
A very sleepy Charlie called out to him. “Daddy?”
Remington had zoned out again. Thinking about Sky. “I’m here.” He caressed her forehead with a feather-light touch.
“I texted you and then fell off to sleep. What were you thinking about? Dr. Kirby?”
“Dr. Kirby?”
“Dad. I’m not five. You get this look on your face when you think about her.”
“You are too smart for your own good.” Remington moved Charlie’s hair out of her face. “Let’s just say you were right? What if we were attracted to each other? Would that bother you?”
Charlie thought about it. “I already told you to go for it. I mean, at first, I wasn’t sure. I feel like I’m just getting you back . . . And—”.
“You know that no one can ever replace you right?”
She spoke quietly. “I’m learning. I also see how she makes you act like a silly. It makes me feel good to see you happy especially since I know you haven’t been for a really long time.”
Remington didn’t know what to say. “You’re too perceptive.”
Charlie twisted her fingers together. “I like Dr. Kirby a lot. She’s not only good for you, but she’s also good for me.”
Remington lifted the corner of his lips in a lop-sided grin. “Yeah? So is this about you or me?”
“I’ll admit, it’s about us. So, don’t mess this up.”
“What do you suggest I do?”
“Take her on a date.”
He tilted his head from side-to-side. “Maybe when you’re all better.”
“That’s too far into the future. You’ve barely left the hospital in weeks.” She tipped her chin toward the chair he had been
