“Hang on.”
I returned inside, was about to aim for the bedroom to grab Darcy a clean hoodie from Tallus’s closet, but detoured to the kitchen instead. With an ice pack, a few Advil, and a glass of water, I headed down the hall. Hopefully, an apology care package would reduce my boyfriend’s anger.
Tallus wasn’t asleep. Wearing only a pair of tight boxer briefs—always black—he lay on top of the covers, propped against several pillows and the headboard, watching videos on his phone.
Echo lay curled up beside him inmyspot, onmypillow. I’d been officially ejected from the equation.
A faint bruise peeked from the top of Tallus’s briefs, and his ankle was noticeably swollen. My stomach clenched.
“Christ.” I handed him the water and pills and sat on the end of the bed, lifting his foot to my lap. “What the fuck?” I examined it cautiously. “You said it wasn’t bad.”
“It’s fine. Nothing’s broken.”
I gently wrapped the ice pack around his ankle, applying soft pressure so it cradled the wound. It was one of those gel-filled types that molded to whatever appendage needed care. It had a cotton slipcover to mitigate the cold and lessen the intensity. I used it after punishing gym sessions.
Tallus sighed and tipped his head back, closing his eyes. A pinch between his brows remained.
“Feel good?” I asked.
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“No wonder you’re limping. When you said you fell—”
“Twisted my ankle and went down on my hip.”
“How is it?” I feathered my fingers over the faint bruise coloring his skin.
He tugged his underwear aside to show me the rest, and I winced.
I moved his foot to the bed, leaving the ice around his ankle, and shuffled closer. I smoothed a hand over his bruise, bending and kissing the area like my lips might somehow be a cure-all and fix the problem. Soothe the ache.
Tallus threaded his fingers through my hair and encouraged me to sit up. I kissed him properly, and he let me. My worry over having upset him vanished. He tasted like toothpaste and home. Like comfort after a long day.
“Where’s your friend?” he asked when the kiss naturally ended.
“Freezing his nads off on the balcony because I told him he couldn’t smoke in the apartment. I came to get him a sweater and socks. Do you mind if he borrows some clothes? Mine won’t fit.”
“He’s already wearing my clothes.”
“I should have asked.”
“It’s fine. Is he talking?”
“Mostly.”
Tallus nodded. “Good.”
“Are you mad?” I brushed our noses together, lingering in his space with no desire to leave.
“No. You?”
“No.” I kissed him again, slower that time, savoring Tallus’s taste and the silky glide of his tongue as it danced along mine. I wanted to crawl into bed and forget what I started with Darcy, but I couldn’t.
Reluctantly, I pulled back. “I won’t be long. Will you wait up?”
“I’ll try. No promises. I’m pretty tired.”
I pecked a final kiss on his mouth and bent to nuzzle Echo’s fur. “I’m going to want this spot in a bit, beast. Don’t get too comfortable.”
