Page 47 of S.O.S. Mizzay

Like now…

Cobble looked around at the place he’d known as home for the past two years. This one, he might miss a little. It had an open layout that agreed with his need for space, and the kitchen was state-of-the art. Which was good. Some of the courses Cobble had taken over the years, were in advanced culinary arts, and he’d become…if not a gourmet chef, at least extremely proficient at the stove.

Maybe he could find a place like this where he and Andy could eventually settle.

Wishful thinking, but she also liked this house when she’d plunked him here two years before. His living room was airy, the bedroom good sized, and right now each space boasted large screen TVs that hewouldbe taking with him this time when he left.

Andy had outdone herself finding this place. It was in a semi-rural area, with all the houses having enough acreage that you couldn’t spot your neighbors. You only knew they were there because youcouldsee their lights at night. Cobble had had enough yard to plant his own garden full of vegetables, and had even dreamed once or twice of getting animals. Dogs, specifically, like the pair of Bullmastiffs he’d ended up adoring. Not that he'd been able to act on getting animals. Andy had nixed the idea early on, stating that some of Cobble’s future moves might have to be into apartments that wouldn’t be pet friendly. It had sucked, but…

Yup.The first thing Cobble was going to do when this whole debacle was over, was get a dog. Or two. He wondered how Andy would feel about that, but quickly squelched any worries. She loved slobbery mutts.

If Cobble were once again free to be himself, go where he wanted, do what he wanted for the first time since he’d been twenty-two, Andy wouldn’t begrudge him anything. He knew that.

When he’d first started out using safe-houses, he’d had very few possessions. Chuck and Andy had been able to move him using regulation-type sedans. Over the next bunch of years, he’d accumulated more stuff; specialized clothing and footwear, tools, mementos, sports equipment, photographs. That had necessitated Andy eventually upgrading to an SUV for transportation.

A short while ago, feeling cocky, Cobble had even purchased a now favorite chair and a king-sized bed. Those, along with hisbooks—lots and lots of books—he refused to abandon, so now when Andy arrived, it was with a small moving van.

But this was the last time she’d need one; the last time Cobble would be upended.

Unbeknownst as of yet to Andy or Chuck, Cobble’s next stop would be in the Boston area.

Cobble fought nerves while staring out the large, back, picture window that overlooked the lawn, waiting for Andy.

And speaking of Andy…

Cobble glanced at the clock on the wall.

She should be here within the next half hour.Scratch that.Shewouldbe here within the next half hour. She’d never kept him waiting. It wasn’t her way.

Cobble paced some more, forming and reforming his arguments in his mind. Not that it would matter much, either way. Andy would fight him. Cobble wouldn’t give in. Andy would call Chuck, andChuckwould fight him. But this time there was nothing either of them could do or say that would discourage him.

Cobble refused to spend another minute as a ghost.

Headlights from a small, do-it-yourself moving truck finally pulled in the driveway, and a text came to his phone at the exact same time from an unfamiliar number.

Cobble wasn’t fazed. This was normal. He looked down at his device.

I just pulled in.

I know, he responded.

I brought Chinese, but it’s cold by now.

Sounds good anyway.

Despite his words, Cobble didn’t think he’d be able to eat anything. At least not until he’d gotten his upcoming plans off his chest and had convinced Andy of their efficacy. He’d thought this over extremely carefully, gone through the particulars againand again, and knew his scheme was solid. He just had to get Andy to see that.

He opened the door, and…

Damn.Andy grew more beautiful every day.

Her sleek, dark hair, left loose from her normal, ubiquitous bun, flowed gloriously around her shoulders, and behind the big round glasses he’d come to love, the sparkle in her vibrant green eyes couldn’t be hidden. Andy’s compact body, all five-feet-nothing of it, looked even more muscled and toned since the last time he’d seen her. He wondered what martial art she’d conquered in those several long months. Cobble couldn’t get enough of looking at her.

His cock roused as if sayingshe’s here, she’s here!

Cobble took the bag of food from Andy, absently placed it on a table to the left of the door, then swept her up into his arms, hanging onto her for dear life.

He breathed her in, and she did the same.

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