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“I know that now. And I won’t be a jackass about things. As much as I can, I’ll stay put behind a computer and pay others to take the risks. I’m just a little type A and not great at micromanaging.”
I put my head back against his chest and closed my eyes. “I like to hear your heartbeat.”
“That’s sweet. Just stay with me in the dark tonight, okay? Sometimes I get funny in the dark. The three years between leaving the Army and coming home, I made a lot of money working for private contractors. I can’t tell you what I did overseas, not ever. All I can tell you is I used the money to start my business, and that’s how your father found me. I’m glad it enabled me to do what I did, but I want you to know that I know what it is to be sorry for things and wonder if things are worse because I was there.”
He really did understand me. That was lovely. “Am I hurting you, sitting here like this?”
“No.” He nuzzled my head. “Close your eyes. Don’t look at these people whose privacy we are invading because they don’t know we’re watching.”
“Well, I imagine you got permission from the homeowner to install cameras?”
He nodded. “I did.”
I shrugged easily. “In that case, it’s not really on you to tell the people swimming, is it? But I’m not watching.” I really did close my eyes. “Move me when your arm falls asleep.”
He didn’t answer me, so I smiled again. “We can make the dark friendlier for each other. How’s that, Michael?”
“Sounds like a plan, Bridget Radford.” He stroked my arm. “Do you like movies? Tomorrow night we could watch a movie. You like comedies, right?”
I did. And I particularly wanted to watch one with him. “That would be nice.”
“Will you ice my arm when it hurts after PT tomorrow?”
The man had been breaking every rule when it came to his shoulder and arm, so I snorted out a small laugh. “Sure.”
I grinned. This was the best night of my life.
11
Iwoke up before Michael, so I got the chance to see him sleeping again. He lay on his back and held me pressed against his good side, my nose against his skin. I smiled. The position was ridiculously comfortable, at least for me.When did we come back into the bedroom?I really needed him to stop carrying me around. Of course, it was kind of sexy, too.
He let out a long breath and turned his head but didn’t wake. Was it creepy because I stared at him while he slept? I hoped it wasn’t. If he wanted to look at me, that would be fine…as long as I wasn’t too disgusting at the moment.
I got out of bed quietly and crept from the room. My phone, which he’d plugged in next to me, was charged and said it was eight in the morning. I made my way to my room, despite the fact I had yet to sleep in it, then brushed my teeth. I was a bit of a wreck, I decided, considering my reflection. Or at least I looked like a person who spent a good portion of the night before rolling around in bed. That thought made me grin, and I realized I never saw myself so deliciously rumpled before.
What a nice change it was! I did a little dance by the sink while I swished mouthwash just because I could. Quickly, I showered and then came out of my room to head for the kitchen. The house was still quiet. When Michael slept hard, he really slepthard. That was okay. I had plenty of things to do. First up on my agenda was coffee. There was nothing quite like the smell of it in the morning to rouse me.
I no sooner opened the fridge than he stumbled out of the room toward the kitchen. “How did I not wake up when you got up?” he grumbled.
“Well” —I pulled the eggs out—“I guess I’m incredibly stealthy. Maybe you should hire me. I’m a ninja, Michael.”
He drew me to him, putting my head on his good shoulder while he embraced me hard. “No. That would mean I had to send you off to all kinds of places. I like you where I can hold you like this. I’m selfish like that.” He rocked me in his arms, dragging kisses up my neck.
I couldn’t help my grin. Had anyone ever wanted me around that much? I didn’t think so. “Let me cook us some eggs.”
“Just one more second.” He exhaled and kissed my neck. “I woke up and had a little panic you’d run for the hills.”
I backed up. He was being adorable, but I had to tease him. So I pointed out the window. “Those hills? I could probably run for them, but then I’d have to walk back because I just don’t like running that much.”
Michael swatted my butt and I shrieked, laughing. “We can walk over there later after my PT appointment, if you want.”
“I’d love that. I never go anywhere. There is a shrine in Hong Kong I always wanted to visit. I could see it from my window, yet I never went.”
He poured coffee while I cooked the eggs. “Why do you think you didn’t go?”
“I don’t know. I’m cowardly or lazy, take your pick.” The eggs cooked fast, so I turned down the flames just a bit to avoid burning them.
“Well, since I know neither of those things are true of you, Bridget Radford” —He placed a glass in front of me—“how about you were bearing the weight of sins you did not commit? They were too much to lug around, so you did nothing that you didn’t have to do… Including some things you wanted to?”
