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She looked at his hand. “Why a compass with no markings for direction? Did you just not have time to finish it?”
He stared at the tattoo. “No. I left it that way so I could fill it in later. My mom always tells me that no matter what I’m doing, no matter where I am, no matter what I’ve done or what has been done to me, I need to always remember that all roads lead home to the ones I love, who will always love me.”
“That’s beautiful.”
“It’s true. There are times I’m away far too long. But whenever I go home, there I am welcomed and loved like I was there yesterday.”
“As it should be.” She put her hand over his and the tattoo. “And the eagle soaring on your back?”
“A symbol of freedom.”
“And the book he’s holding in his talon?”
The rule of law. “I’ll tell you another time.”
“The scale on your shoulder seems easy. The scales of justice.”
“I believe in being unbiased and fair and not judging people by their circumstances or background or the way they look but by what they do.”
“Everyone starts with a level playing field. Balanced scales.”
“And based on what they do, it’s either in their favor or against.” He needed to redirect this conversation before she guessed what he did for a living, though he suspected even if she already knew, like she knew about his brother, she wouldn’t admit it to him right now because he’d asked her not to fish in that pond. “Thank you for the late dinner. You must be tired.”
She stared at him, a slight smile tilting her lips. “One more question.”
He hesitated but nodded for her to go ahead. “Do you prefer the right or left side of the bed?”
“I’ll take whatever you don’t want so long as you’re in bed with me. And before you think you need to say it, I’ll just tell you that I know tonight’s not the night for us. I’m just glad you’re here.”
“It’s not that I don’t want you.”
“I know. And it’s okay to want to know more about me first.”
She tilted her head. “It’s not that I need more. I just so want to be right about you.”
“You are. But not knowing my name, what I do, what and who I really am leaves you wondering if you can trust me and yourself.”
Her mouth drew into a lopsided frown. “And now I feel like I’ve insulted you.”
“Not at all,” he assured her. “You’ve let me know this matters to you.”
“I think we’re building something.”
“I think so, too. Which means we don’t have to rush. You want more time, you can have all you want, and I’ll still be here.”
She stared at him for a long moment. “This is the most grown-up relationship I’ve ever had.”
“Maybe it will be our best and last.” He hoped so.
She stood and closed the distance between them.“When you say stuff like that, I don’t know why we’re not naked in that bed right now.”
It took everything in him not to touch and kiss her and convince her to go there with him right now. “You decide, Angel. I’m at your mercy.”
“I just want you to want me, the way I do you.”
“Wantis too tame a word for how I feel.” It took everything in him to be patient and not rush this, because he wanted her to be clear that, once they took this next step, there was no holding back on anything anymore.
She took a step closer. “If there isn’t a word, then you should show me.”
