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“Of course.” Deborah’s hands fluttered. “You know me, I’m not one to pry.”
“You know Lars isn’t ready to settle down.” Aaron gave her an affectionate smile. “He has big plans.”
Deborah laughed. “Forgive a mother for hoping. I just thought that with you getting engaged and Tore meeting someone, that my eldest might also make the leap.”
The alarm on my cell chimed. “Lars, it’s time for your pills.”
He grunted and reached for the little box on the side table.
Immediately, his mom sprang into action. “Have you got them there? Let me get you some fresh water. Or would you rather iced tea or juice? Maybe Susie has something. Are you supposed to take them with food? I have half a cookie from a café at the airport in my purse. That reminds me, Tore said they gave you a neck brace. Shouldn’t you be wearing that?”
Lars popped the pill on his tongue and dry swallowed. “I’m fine.”
“But—”
“I’m fine, Mom.”
“You will be once we get you home and put you to bed. Some rest and good home-cooked food and you’ll be back on your feet again.” Deborah nodded, pleased at the thought.
The furrows on Lars’s forehead were out in full force now. “I need to talk to you.”
“Me?” I asked.
He nodded and began the laborious process of hauling himself out of the armchair. His mom grabbed his arm while his dad stepped closer just in case he was needed. “Mom, just... I’m okay,” said Lars. “Please let me do it myself.”
Deborah’s lips turned down. But she did as asked.
Lars shuffled into the bedroom and I followed. He shut the door and turned on me with a serious face. “I need you.”
“You what?”
“You heard me.”
“Yeah. But I still want to hear you say it again.”
He sighed. “I need you.”
“That’s lovely. Okay. Now explain what you mean.”
He shuffled forward and I took a step back and we didn’t stop until my spine touched the wall. Then he got all up in my personal space. Not stopping until I was looking up at him and he was looking down at me, and our noses were a bare handbreadth apart. The long line of stitches on his cheek made my stomach roll over. Same went for the dark bruise that had blossomed beneath his golden stubble. The thought of him being hurt was the worst.
And he was still frowning. Though that was kind of his normal setting. “I hate being in pain. Can’t stand being injured. It’s frustrating and infuriating and it pisses me off. So when I tell you I’m sorry for being a grumpy asshole today I mean it, okay?”
“Thank you for the apology.”
He nodded.
“Was there something else you wanted to talk about?”
He rested his cast on the wall above my head and leaned even closer. Close enough to brush his mouth against mine. The heat and scent of him were all welcome, as per the usual. Just having him close was a delight.
“I needed that.” I happy-sighed. Then I stopped smiling. “You smell like my shampoo. Why didn’t you ask me to help you wash your hair?”
“Remember how we discussed me being a cranky asshole?”
“Right.”
“And you were busy working and doing your grocery shopping on the laptop and I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Okay.”
He kissed me again. With a bit more fervency this time. Sucking on my top lip and biting on the bottom. He didn’t open his jaw too wide because that would hurt. But it was slow and lovely. Weird, however, given his parents and best friend were waiting in the next room. He traced his nose against mine and stayed nice and close. I hadn’t realized how much I needed this. After the scare last night and those days of waiting to see him again. I was starved for the man. And I was pretty damn sure he knew it. We kissed until he flinched and touched the side of his mouth. “Shit.”
“Are you saying goodbye or sweetening me up for something?” I asked. “Not that I mind. Just curious.”
“I like how your eyes go all lusty when I kiss you. But I can’t even breathe without it hurting right now.” He took a breath and let it out slowly and carefully. “Susie?”
“Yes, Lars?”
“Please don’t make me go home with my mother.”
I tried not to smile.
“She’ll smother me. She means well, but I can’t handle it.” He rested his forehead against mine with a sigh. “And if I try to go back to my place on my own she’ll follow and it’ll be the same deal only with her trying to tidy up and getting all into my things.”
“Oh, dear.”
He just nodded.
“I see now that your big strong exterior hides the heart of a little boy who is secretly afraid of his mommy.”
“I’m not afraid of her.” He scowled. “I just can’t fucking handle being babied. There’s a difference. Stop laughing at me.”
