Page 49 of Saving Mr. Bell

I trailed my fingers down his arm, memorizing the way his skin felt. “About what?”

“Stuff.”

“Oh well, glad we cleared that up.”

“I’m coming back here, you know?”

A tiny kernel of hope exploded in my chest. “You are?”

“Unless you don’t want me to?”

“I want you to.”I need you to.

“Then, I will.” I wanted to believe him, but I was realistic about all the things in the big wide world that could change his mind. “And if I don’t, you could always kidnap me again.”

“Oh, we’re back to using the word kidnap, are we?” I didn’t have to see Rudolf’s smile to know it was occurring. “Yeah, well, you should probably know that I used up all my favors to get hold of the information about your whereabouts.”

Fingers carded through my hair, his touch feather-soft and oh so welcome. “I’d love to know who told you that.”

“I bet you would.”

“I could torture you.”

“You could try.”

“You need to remember that I’m good with an axe.”

“I can hardly forget when you keep reminding me every opportunity you get.”

“Shit! That reminds me. I need to chop some wood for you in the morning before I go.”

I pinched him, Rudolf squirming away with a laugh. “I can manage.”

“Just don’t chop anything off that I like.”

“I’m not going to chop my cock off.”

“I was talking about your hands.”

“Of course you were.”

I tried to stay awake and keep Rudolf talking for as long as I could, unwilling to give in to the inevitability of the next day arriving, but eventually I fell asleep with Rudolf snoring softly next to me.

Everything was painfully normal the next day—Rudolf even rediscovering enough of an appetite to eat breakfast—until the midnight blue Land Rover drew up outside just before midday. The driver didn’t come in, leaving the engine idling outside while he waited. There was no emotional goodbye. No kiss either. There was just Rudolf lifting a hand in one last wave as the vehicle drove off, with him in the back of it. He hadn’t repeated what he’d said last night in the bedroom's darkness about coming back, and I hadn’t asked, too scared he’d laugh it off and put it down to drowsiness talking. Would he be back? And if so, when? Tomorrow? The next day? I guess only time would tell. All I could do was wait. And be here for him if he returned.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and stared at the number I’d inputted that morning.

Arlo:Safe trip X

An hour passed before I got a reply.

Rudolf:Thanks.

One word. No kiss. It didn’t bode well. At least I had his number, though. It was something.

Chapter Nineteen

Rudolf

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