Page 23 of Tied Over

“I’ve never seen you that pale. Your lips were gray.”

He looked so sad, broken, and I felt that deep in my chest. “I—”

“You can’t ever do that to me again,” he said in a hoarse whisper.

“No,” I agreed.

The breath he took was choppy. I wasn’t sure he realized he was stroking my hair. “Looking for Petrov was not worth your life.”

“I’m still here, yeah?”

“You know what I mean.”

“I do.” I didn’t need to argue with him because I always knew exactly what he meant in any situation. It was what made us, us.

“You’re such a dick,” he muttered affectionately.

I grinned, so relieved when he bent, kissed my forehead, and then straightened up, still with his hand in my hair as he shook his head.

“Now go back to sleep.”

“What day is it?”

“Wednesday midmorning.”

“Okay.” I closed my eyes.

When my eyes fluttered open, I saw that the curtains were pulled back and it looked like dusk outside. Bodhi was typing again on his work laptop and watching what looked like Aquaman on his personal one.

“What are you doing?”

He turned his head slowly. “Clearly, I’m watching Zack Snyder’s director’s cut of the Justice League and writing a mind-numbing report at the same time.”

“Why?”

“Because my boss will murder me if I don’t get this done.”

“No. I mean why the movie?”

“First, it has a run time of 242 minutes. That will take up many hours which is a very good thing. And second, I like this movie.”

“Okay,” I said, chuckling, realizing I felt so much better already just because he was there.

“You should rest some more.”

“I just woke up,” I grumbled.

“And?” he teased, eyes glinting as he smiled at me. He already knew what I was going to say, he was just waiting now.

I whimpered. “I’m hungry.”

He snickered.

“Come on,” I moaned. “You know I have to eat. I always eat.”

“Fine, I will check and see what you’re allowed to have, and if they give me the okay, I will go get you that disgusting burger with the onions and chili and cheese you like.”

“Oh,” I sighed. “You do still love me.”