Page 35 of Tender
Still far enough away to safely get Miles to the pool house.
“I’m going to walk you,” Emmett said, still holding him.
Miles let air out of his lungs, then stepped back. “Why? So we both die?”
Emmett laughed and gently rubbed a thumb over his jawline before stopping himself and pulling back. “No one is going to die. The gale is still over the water. It’s not even raining yet. But do me a favor?”
Miles lifted a brow.
“If you get too freaked out, or if the storm gets really bad, come to the house. The guest room is right down the hall, first door on the right. Okay?” He waited until Miles nodded, thenhe slipped a careful arm around him and guided him toward the back door.
He could feel Cosimo watching from the kitchen table. His gaze was a heavy weight, but it was a welcome one. They would definitely be talking about this later.
Stepping outside, Emmett could feel the press of the storm. The pressure was intense in his head, his sinuses immediately popping. The air was thick with moisture, and he knew in his bones that the rain was coming.
It was going to be…a lot.
“Are you sure?” he asked as they reached the pool house.
Miles hesitated, but only for a second. “I’ll be fine. And I swear I’ll come inside if it gets bad.”
Emmett knew it would have to get hurricane bad in order for Miles to do it. Getting him to eat with them was one thing. Getting him to crack his pride and let himself be welcomed in with them was another. It was going to take work.
He held the door open, and after a beat, followed Miles inside. “Do you mind if I make sure your storm kit is in here?”
Miles waved him off, and Emmett walked to the closet beside the bed and opened the door. The storm kit was at the top, so he brought it to the table and went through it. Functional flashlight, a poncho he’d gotten on their trip to Animal Kingdom several years back, some granola bars, several bottles of water, and a couple of slow burning candles.
“I hate leaving you here,” he said when he turned to face Miles.
“I can tell. But I think your husband needs you tonight. He seemed a little…tense.”
Emmett sucked in a breath. Shit. Theywerebeing obvious. “He’s alright. He just has a lot on his mind.”
Miles nodded and frowned, but he didn’t say anything more, and that silence told Emmett he was dismissed. He walkedover, then took Miles by the shoulders and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “If you need us,” he said, making sure Miles was looking at his lips, “or if you’re too nervous to walk over by yourself, text me.”
Miles hummed softly, swayed into Emmett for a second, then pulled away. “Thank you.”
It took Emmett real effort to let go, but he did. He closed the door behind him, and with heavy steps, made his way to the house. Cosimo was no longer in the dining room, and the dishwasher was loaded. Everything was tidy and perfect.
He found his husband in the bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed with his feet flat on the floor, arms at his sides. It was his resting position. His uncertain position.
“He’s not coming here tonight. Not unless it gets bad,” Emmett said.
Cosimo looked up at him. “If you don’t want to risk it?—”
He crossed the room in four quick strides, taking Cosimo by the jaw and forcing his mouth shut. “You disobeyed me.”
Cosimo swallowed thickly.
“I told you to leave it be. I told you that I would talk to him tomorrow, and what did you do?” After a beat, he loosened his grip just enough that Cosimo could get words out.
“I asked him if it was my fault,” he managed to say.
Emmett squeezed his jaw harder. “You did. You made him feel guilty. Is that how we fucking do things around here?”
“No, Sir.”
“But you fucked up, per usual. You like being a little fuck-up, don’t you?” The words didn’t taste as bitter as they usually did. Not when he’d spent all day spoiling and caring for Miles.
