Page 88 of Thicker Than Water

“That was just what I needed.” I pull my face back so I can look at him.

“I hadn’t expected you.”

“Yes, I know,” he says tenderly, his eyes not leaving mine. “I’m sorry that I haven’t been here.”

I look down, not sure what to say, and just relieved that he’s here now. I’ll need to learn to adjust. It’s not reasonable to expect Reece to fly down twice a month or even once every month.

He pulls out of me and holds my waist while I hop down. I start to clean myself and he straightens his clothe

s.

“It’s been hard. But, I understand,” I say, and I do. But I hate it. The next three years are going to be miserable.

As soon as his jeans are buttoned he sits on the edge of the free-standing bathtub and watches me while I wipe myself clean with a hot wash cloth.

I take my time, holding my night shirt up, so he can see my naked body.

He groans. “I’m going to make you pay for teasing me,” he drawls at me.

“I can’t wait,” I say, my voice low and sultry even to my own ears.

He stands up. “Listen, I have a surprise for you. We’re already late. I’m going to need to you to stop tempting me.” He kisses the tip of my nose, takes the wash cloth from my hands and tosses it into the clothes hamper in the corner.

“Let’s go for a drive?” he says cheerfully, his grin broad and bright.

I smile back, “Of course. Let me get changed. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

We walk back to my room. I head for my closet and Reece leaves. As I get dressed my mind and heart race.

For the last two weeks, I’d been worried. I’d thought maybe the distance was wearing on him. That maybe now that I’d left, he’d see that it wasn’t worth the trouble.

I throw on my clothes and do a quick brush of my teeth. A sudden, irrational fear that he’ll be gone when I get to the kitchen adding an urgency to my steps.

I release a breath I’d been holding.

He and my mother are sitting at the kitchen table. They both have full breakfast plates in front of them. My mother looks calm, her eyes red from crying, but she’s putting on a brave face in front of Reece. They talked before we left. She tried to apologize for what she’d said in the car. He wouldn’t allow her to. They’d sat in his parents’ living room, her crying on his shoulder as they comforted each other.

“Mama, are you okay?” I ask her softly.

“Yes, of course. Did you sleep well?” she asks casually. I look at her closely trying to see if she’s really fine. She takes a sip of her coffee and raises her eyebrows when I don’t answer right away.

“I did, thanks,” I say slowly.

I look back at Reece. He’s watching me, his kiss-stung lips tipped up in a lazy smile. His dark hair is tousled and his eyes are hooded. The memory of our bathroom “hello” makes my toes tingle. I smile back and walk over to give my mom a hug.

“You have a nice morning,” she says absently as she butters her toast.

I give her a quick kiss on the cheek, grab Reece’s hand and head for the door.

“Where are we going?” I ask when we’re outside. He swings our joined hands between us as we walk to the car.

He waits until I’ve climbed up into the jeep’s bucket seat before he answers.

“To see our house.”

My head jerks back.

“Close your mouth. A fly’s going to hop in,” he says jovially right before he closes my door.

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