The next few days at the lakeside rental were pure, unadulterated torture. Mom was suddenly going through a phase of incredibly high demand, clinging to Henry constantly and draining all of his free time. I had to watch from the sidelines, my blood boiling every time she pulled him close for a kiss or eagerly dragged him back into their bedroom. There was absolutely zero opportunity for us to sneak away.

At breakfast, the sheer, suffocating frustration was written all over my face. His dark gaze flickered to mine for a split second across the table, a silent, dirty promise burning in his eyes. He was clearly just as starved...