The night is over, and just like he said, it’s one I will never forget.

So exhausted and drained, I close my eyes, hoping that if the copious amounts of sex I’ve had tonight have done the job, I will sleep straight through the night.

Not a dream to be had.

FORREST

After cleaning her up with a warm cloth, she looked at me with pleading eyes as she asked me to take her back to her room.

Her eyes were begging me not to argue, as she didn’t have the strength to fight me on it.

Carrying her back to her bed and making sure she is comfortable, warm, and feeling safe, it pulls at my heart to have to walk away.

As I touch my lips so gently to hers, I hope like hell this isn’t the last time I get to kiss her. I’m not ready to say goodbye when I only just got to say hello.

By the time I reach the door, I can hear her breathing getting heavier and then one long sigh as she falls into the sleep that she was longing for.

I stand here just looking at a woman who has taken me by total surprise. Not my type at all, yet we are so in sync that it’s hard to comprehend.

I want to close my eyes too and relive this night in my sleep, but it’s not happening. My body is exhausted, but I can’t shut my brain off.

I toss and turn, pulling the blankets over me then overheating. It’s like my body is at war with my thoughts. The turmoil I’m feeling seems to be evident in my inability to sleep.

Going back to what I used to do when I was worried about Flynn doing something dumb in Australia, or my parents who were not feeling well or struggling with something, I reach for my e-reader and pull up my current book. It’s a crime novel, and I have to concentrate so hard to try to keep up and follow the intricate plot. It helps me switch off because I can’t possibly think about anything else at the same time, otherwise I’ll get lost.

I lose track of how long I’ve been reading for, but a noise makes me drop my Kindle. It’s coming from Harper’s room again.

“Shit, she’s having another nightmare.” I’m up and at her door, listening for a few seconds.

“I just want you to come back to cuddle me. Just once.” Then she stops moving. “Daddy, why won’t you come back? I love you…” Then I hear the bed creak like she is sitting down on it. “Why don’t you love me too?” Then she lets out a loud sob like last night.