“I don’t care what Theo used to do. And I won’t cheat on him.” Wills burrowed his head against my neck, and I could feel his lashes as his eyes closed and the warmth of his breath as he yawned. “Sorry. Thought I was gonna lose you, babe. Been driving all night to get here.”
“It doesn’t take that long to drive to Savannah from DC.”
“Traffic. Accidents. Construction. Fog.”
“You look like shit, baby.”
“Thanks so much. I haven’t slept in…” Another yawn cut off his words.
“C’mon. I’ll put you to bed. You guys can have lunch without me,” I said over my shoulder. I took Wills’s hand and led him toward the stairs that went up to the second floor. “Tim and Cris live up here. Tim put us up in his spare bedroom.”
“‘Us’?”
“Miss Su and me.”
“‘m glad you didn’t leave her. I didn’t get in until late.”
“But you promised to come home early.”
“I know. I’m sorry, something came up at work.” Didn’t it always? “Theo, you’re coming home with me?”
“Yes. After you get some sleep. I’ll even spell you on the drive home.”
“No one drives the Dodge.”
“Then I’ll find another way to make the drive pass quickly.”
“We gonna play ‘I packed my bags to go to Grandma’s’?”
“I had singing ‘Ninety-Nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall’ in mind, but…”
“Anything but that!” He grinned, but sobered quickly. “Theo, I’m sorry I punched you in the nose. I didn’t break it, did I?”
“No. You must have pulled your punch.”
“I never pull my punches.”
“You don’t?” I’d seen what he had done to Tim and Cris. If he hadn’t pulled the punch he’d thrown at me, my nose would have been a flattened pancake remnant of itself. He looked insulted though, so I smiled at him and patted his shoulder. “If you say so.” I opened the door to the kitchen. “Miss Su, look who’s here.”
She came tearing into the room and leaped into his arms with a single bound.
He laughed, but oh, Jesus, he sounded so tired. “Hello, Miss Su. Did you miss Daddy?”
“Mrrow.” She purred and purred, ran her sandpaper tongue over his cheek, rubbed her head against his chin.
“She isn’t the only one who missed you, Wills. I’m sorry. I was so stupid. I just thought—”
“The only thing you should think is that I love you. I’ll always love you.”
“It feels like forever since I’ve kissed you. May I?” I felt I had to ask permission.
“Oh, God, yes. Please. Kiss me, Theo.” He fit so well in my arms.
“Mrrow.” Miss Su had gotten caught between us.
“Sorry, Miss Su.” I backed up a step, took her from him, and set her down on the floor. She shook herself vigorously, gave us a reproachful glance, then sat with her back to us and began to groom a hind leg. I laughed, but barely had time to straighten before Wills was in my arms again. His lips trembled beneath mine, and his taste filled my mouth as he parted them willingly. It was like coming home.
We were both panting as if we’d finished a marathon when I finally released his lips, and I was hard and aching, but he yawned again, and I knew that while he’d let me have him, he’d be too tired to enjoy it.
There would be time later.
He swayed a bit, and mumbled, “You said something about putting me to bed?”
“Yes. My bedroom is right this way.” I took his hand, and he let me usher him down the hall.
“Nice room.” His eyes were closed, and I laughed and closed the door.
“It’s nicer now that you’re here. I’m so sorry…”
“It’s done, behind us. Forget about it.” He took off his suit jacket, his movements sluggish.
I’d never forget, and I’d never let him regret coming after me. “You’re falling asleep on your feet, babe.”
“Like hearing you call me ‘babe.’ Didn’t think I was ever gonna hear it again.”
“Oh, Wills…” I bit my lip to keep it from quivering. “Let me help you get your clothes off.”
“Thanks.” He stood motionless as I unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it back off his arms.
“Your chain.” It hung from his neck, the charm over his heart.
“My chain.” Wills closed his fingers around it, a tender smile on his lips. He opened his eyes and stared into mine.
“Oh, babe.” I stripped him to his shorts and undershirt, pulled back the bedspread, and caught him before he tumbled face first onto the bed. “Easy does it.” I eased him down onto it.
“‘m wiped out.” He rolled over onto his stomach. “Don’ let…” His words became slurred. “…sleep…long.”
“Go to sleep.” If he’d driven all through the night, then he’d been up for more than thirty-one hours. I shed my clothes, leaving them on the floor next to his. I’d see that he slept as long as he needed to.