Page 12 of Splintered Security
“Well, I’d say I have the clothes on my back, but actually I have the clothes on your bathroom floor. I need to go back to Pueblo. I didn’t pack anything when I left. I came to talk to you, not go on the lam.”
That endears a smile. Anni saying “on the lam” is worth one.
“We’ll go back there. But not tomorrow. So, you need shoes, clothes, underwear, girly shit. What else?
“Girly shit?” A smile breaks across her face. “That’s about right. If I’m good to sleep in your tees, I don’t need pajamas. This is super comfy and it smells good.” She pinches the shoulder of my T-shirt and pulls it away from her skin, demonstrating the room she has underneath.
Fuck me. I write down pajamas, when I want to write down Amish pajamas. High neck, long sleeves, maybe with some itchy ridiculous lace. Something atrocious. Maybe it would help.
Finishing my carbonara, I throw my bowl in the dishwasher, doing the same with the skillet and the knife, before returning to my list.
“Think we can be out of the house by nine in the morning? Are you a breakfast person? I’m generally just coffee first thing, but first thing is typically about ten.”
I work through the kitchen, setting up the coffee pot, doubling what I typically do—not because it’s necessary, but because I need something to focus on besides Anni in my tee, in my kitchen, fresh faced from a shower and perfect.
“Yeah. Way doable. Can I wash my clothes so I have something to wear that isn’t your underwear or my gross stuff from tonight?” She scrapes the bowl for the last remnants of the meal, and I secretly smile that she loved it enough to eat every bite.
Leaving her to the last of her dinner, I collect everything on the bathroom floor. In the laundry room, I toss all of herclothes in the washer. I take the tatters of what’s left of mine to the trash.
I return to find her in the kitchen at the list, her bowl already in the dishwasher. Her head lifts when I enter. “There’s a lot to do tomorrow. Certificate first? Phone second? The mall after for the rest?”
“Sure. Are you tired?”
“Exhausted and wired at the same time.”
“Same. Come on. Let’s get you settled. It’s going to be a long night.”
Her face falls as something I can’t read crosses her features.
I cross to her and tip her face up like it’s totally natural for us. “What is it?”
“I’m sorry I’m such a pain in the ass.”
“What’s this about?”
“Just hating that I’m putting you out and it’s so hard on you.”
“Did I complain?”
“Well, ‘It’s going to be a long night,’” she repeats in a deep voice, mimicking me. “And you put pajamas on the list.” Her eyes turn down in embarrassment. “I’m sorry I have to use yours tonight. I didn’t know it bothered you.”
“Annika.” I wait for her eyes to meet mine before continuing. “I need to wake up every hour to check you for a concussion. My back is fucked and getting comfortable is going to be a challenge. And you can sleep in whatever the fuck you want to. I’m not complaining.” Well, my dick isn’t complaining, that’s for sure. “I want you to be comfortable.”
She holds my gaze and nods.
“Something to know about me…” I wait for her acknowledgement. “I’ll tell you if you need to know something. I won’t hold back.” I squat a little, moving my face closer to hers. “Nothing I said tonight is because I’m angry with you or annoyed at you. Got it?”
She nods again. And, fuck me, she licks her lips.
I release her and take a huge step backward. No clue how we’re going to make this work, but fucking her in the kitchen after surviving a club explosion isn’t going to be the starting line. Step one for a rocky start to a marriage: reactive sex after an emotionally charged situation with no forethought. But sinking into her?—
“Are we good?” I ask.
“Yep. Something to know about me… I stink at confrontation. I hate it and will avoid it at all costs. You’ll have to call me out on it, but be gentle, because it scares me.”
“I know that. Or, at least, I expected that. I’ll be gentle with you, Anni.”
Anni
