As she looked down at Holden, so perfect in every way, her heart broke for another perfect little boy who’d had the misfortune to be born to a violent, unpredictable man who would never know what a strong, capable, loving man that boy had grown up to be. Tears filled her eyes when she thought of the deep pain Owen carried with him, despite his carefree exterior. She’d do anything to relieve him of even a fraction of that pain, if only she knew how.

Laura took a shower and changed into a nightgown before sliding into bed. She was beginning to worry about Owen when she finally heard him come into the apartment and head right to the shower. Though her eyes were heavy with the ever-present exhaustion, she forced herself to stay awake until he came to bed.

She let him know she was still awake by putting her hand on his chest.

He covered her hand with his own and then turned to her.

In complete and unusual silence, he snuggled up to her, clinging to her in a way he seldom did. For once, he was taking rather than giving, and she was more than happy to give him whatever he needed.

Laura ran her hand up and down his back and raised her face to try to see him in the faint glow of the streetlights. As he looked down at her, she kissed him.

He turned his face away. “I can’t.”

Confounded by his unprecedented rejection, she said, “What can’t you do?”

“I can’t make love to you tonight. I’m wound up, and I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”

“Owen, you could never hurt me.”

“I can’t take that chance.”

“Then allow me.”

“Wait. Allow you to do what?”

Her exhaustion forgotten in the face of his obvious need, she rose to her knees and pushed on his shoulder until he was lying on his back.

“Laura…”

“Shhh. You take care of me every day in a thousand different ways. And yet you find it so very difficult to allow me to take care of you.” She leaned over him, kissing his chest while her hand caressed his stomach. “I love you as much as you love me. You know that, right?”

“Yes, I know, but—”

“No buts about it. Let me love you. Let me take care of you.”

“You’re tired, and you need your rest.”

“I’ll get plenty of rest, but right now I need you.”

He stopped protesting, but his muscles remained rigid and tense.

She slowly kissed her way down the front of him while caressing his chest and stomach. The only sign he gave that she was getting to him was the restless movement of his legs under the covers. “Relax,” she whispered. “Close your eyes and just enjoy it.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Yes, you can. You can do it for me.”