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Snow had no idea he had traded half his shift that day so he could come home and surprise him for Valentine’s Day. His planned evening wasn’t until much later, but he figured they had plenty of things they could do to fill in the time until then.
With that in mind, he started unbuttoning his uniform. He’d go ahead and throw it into the washing machine and head into the shower before he greeted his partner. There were things that came with his job that required lots of soap and hot water. But the loud “Fuck!” that slammed down the stairs actually sounded pain-filled, so Jude changed direction and walked up. He’d just peek in on Snow and make sure he was okay.
The next curse broke off when his shoes made noise on the wood.
“Jude?”
Snow was suddenly at the top of the stairs. He wore a pair of ragged jeans and an old sweatshirt. His hair looked like it did when he first awakened in the mornings, sticking up all over the place. It was a trait they both shared—though Snow’s hair didn’t nest up quite as much as his did.
His general frowned, his cheeks flushed. “What are you doing home so early?”
Jude lifted an eyebrow. “It’s a bad thing?”
“No, of course not. It’s just I thought I had more time.”
Intrigued, Jude slipped off his shirt and took two more steps closer to Snow.
Snow’s gaze dropped to his chest, his lids dropping with lust.
Damn. Jude stopped moving, gaze locked on his partner because the heat they generated still had the power to shut him down with shock. “I made plans for tonight, so I thought I’d come home a bit early to give us a little alone time.”
“It’s Valentine’s Day. Shouldn’t all of today be alone time?” Sharp blue eyes widened. “Are we doing something with others tonight?”
“First, I love the horrified note in your voice. Second, no. It’s just you and me, General.” He took another step. “But I thought we could get started early.”
Snow growled. “Well…shit.” He sighed and waved Jude past him. “Your gift isn’t done, but you might as well see now.”
“Gift?”
“Yeah.” Snow pointed toward the fourth bedroom they’d decided would eventually be a workout space.
Jude strode down the hall, his eyebrows nearing his hairline when saw the completely remodeled room. “You did this in one day?” Awe filled his voice as he stepped inside and took in the changes. A wall-mounted television, ceiling fan, treadmill…the massive personal home gym they’d been eyeing online. And a corner of…scattered parts. Ahh…that explained the frustration.
“I wanted to have it done before you got home.” Snow’s lip curled as he eyed the pieces. “I hired people to do the personal gym, but thought I’d take care of the last thing.” He growled. “I have the highest success rate for bladder cystectomies, and I can’t fucking put together a stupid rowing machine.”
Jude could barely speak past the lump in his throat and the heat tearing through his body. He stared at his sexy, disgruntled partner and thought again how lucky he was. He wouldn’t have believed Snow capable of something so thoughtful before he’d gotten to know him, but since he had, he was touched so, so often. He spun on his heel and continued stripping as he strode toward their bedroom. “God, I love you. I’m going to shower and then help.”
Snow followed him just to the doorway. “Why shower first? Trust me, you’ll get sweaty and frustrated.”
Jude turned and spoke as he backed into the room. “Because I just left work, and I plan to give you a huge thank-you fuck before I even pick up a ratchet.”Jude“Oh man, Mana,” Jude grated out from the kitchen. “Snow, you didn’t look in the bag, did you?”
“Your mom threatened my manhood when she dropped that off if I did, so no!” Snow glanced toward the kitchen he’d been forbidden to enter, then grabbed the laser pen off the coffee table. Sergeant came running around the corner when he heard the click. Chuckling, Snow aimed the red light on the wall across from the sofa. It felt good to relax after his frustrating day trying to put together exercise equipment. Give him a scalpel over a wrench any day.
With his cat happily chasing the red dot, Jude banging pans in the kitchen, and the cheese and garlic scents filling the air, Snow felt warmth spreading through his chest. He wasn’t sure what he’d done to deserve this life, but he wouldn’t trade it for anything.
His cell vibrated on the table and he swiped it up when he saw Rowe’s face. “Did he like the present?” he asked in lieu of a greeting.
“Hasn’t seen it yet.” Honking horns and a loud engine let Snow know Rowe was driving—and probably stuck in traffic. “I’m stupidly nervous about it, too, so distract me from what saps we’re becoming. Did the room go over well?”
