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His words sent my emotions swinging the other way.
My voice trembled. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?”
“I just got in this afternoon.” His lips quirked mockingly as he took an exaggerated look around. “I wanted to surprise you.”
I pressed my lips together. Obviously, I could find no fault with that. I looked back at him.
He waited patiently.
Always watching.
Always vigilant.
Alert to any change in his environment.
Attuned to my every reaction.
“Where’s Inky?”
“Sleeping.”
“Can I go see her?”
“After.”
Why hadn’t I thrown myself into his arms?
I wanted to.
Badly.
My mouth opened, and my heart fell out. “You left me.”
His face darkened with regret. “I know.”
I searched his eyes. Looking for an answer when I could barely form the question. “You can’t keep doing that,” I whispered.
He nodded once. “I know that, too. I’ve got my shit together, Hope. I really do.”
My mouth pulled down into a frown.
He stepped closer.
I could smell him. Could bury my face in his chest if I wanted to. Feel his arms around me.
Instead, I crossed my arms around my waist and held myself together. “I was so lonely for you,” I croaked.
Enacting my plan for him enabled me to ignore my own feelings. With him suddenly standing in front of me, they rumbled to the surface.
He reached out a hand and cupped the back of my neck.
“You’re not going to be lonely anymore, Hope.”
I searched his eyes. Processed his words.
Yearned to believe.
He closed the gap between us and dipped his knees, his eyes sure and steady on mine. “You’re not going to be lonely anymore, Hope.”
