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“You could’ve just told me you changed your mind about us over the phone,” Lio said.
I shut the door, locked it, and closed the distance between us. Lio stood his ground and notched his chin higher. “You’re an idiot if you think I’d choose anyone other than you, Lio.” Fuck. I had to speak the words out loud to explain my radio silence, but I wasn’t sure I could get them out. “I was…” I swallowed hard and tried again. “I got a call after I left yesterday, and…” Damn, this hurt. “Earl’s gone, Lio.”
Realization dawned, and Lio’s angry scowl morphed into tenderness. The lines in his forehead smoothed out, and his dark, snapping eyes softened. “Baby, I’m sorry,” he said, wrapping his arms around my waist. I folded my arms around him and rested my cheek on his head. Lio’s warmth seeped into me, making me realize how cold I’d been. “You should’ve called me,” Lio said. “I would’ve been by your side.”
I nuzzled my nose in his hair, then trailed it down behind his ear. Lio shivered as I inhaled the smell of his shampoo and soap. I pulled back and looked at him, though unshed tears blurred my vision. Exhaustion and heartbreak softened my defenses…or maybe it was the devotion I saw in Lio’s gaze. “Earl said you would never leave me.”
He swallowed hard. “Never, Abe.”
“Don’t give up on me either.”
Lio kissed my lips, lingering for several moments before pulling back. “Never.”
“I promise to sort my shit out, okay?”
Lio’s arms tightened around me. “We’ll do it together. That’s what couples do.”
Relief and fatigue pressed on me like a heavy anvil until I found it hard to remain standing. I stagger-stepped to the right and nearly tipped over until Lio caught me.
“Whoa,” he said. “I think you need to lie down for a little bit.” Lio turned around, kept his arm around my waist, and guided me toward his bedroom.
“You’ve wanted to get me horizontal for a long time,” I teased.
Lio’s warm chuckle washed over me like a caress. “You don’t know the half of it,” he said once we crossed the threshold into his bedroom.
We stopped next to the bed, and Lio pulled my shirt over my head and dropped it on the floor. I could barely keep my eyes open, but my mouth worked fine.
“I can’t believe the meticulous Emilio Mendoza just drops clothes on the floor. I figured you’d fold them up neatly and place them on top of a dresser.”
“This isn’t the time for my fussiness.” Lio kissed my bare chest and need rippled through my body and pooled in my groin. He made quick work of unfastening my belt and jeans, then shoved the denim down my legs. Lio dropped to his knees before me and started working on my bootlaces. I cupped the back of his head like it was the most natural thing in the world to do. Lio snapped his gaze up to mine before slowly raking it over my body, lingering on my crotch. He licked his lips, took a shaky breath, and resumed his task. “When the time is right,” he said.
I knew he was correct, but I carded my fingers through his hair, loving the feel of the silky strands. It was easier to think about the promise I saw in Lio’s eyes than to recall who I’d lost that morning. Lio removed my boots, socks, and jeans before standing up. The bed was already turned down since he’d been sleeping when I arrived. I climbed between his sheets and paused when the soft fabric brushed against my skin.
“What are these? Silk?”
Lio snorted and shooed me over so he could climb in too. “I don’t use silk sheets. These are just cotton.”
“No way,” I said, nestling in and pulling the covers up to my chin. “They’re too soft for cotton.”
“It’s the high thread count. Makes them silky and smooth.”
I rolled onto my side and looked over at Lio, who lay on his back looking up at the ceiling. “You never cease to surprise me, Lio.”
He rolled over to face me and smiled. “I could say the same about you.” Lio brushed the hair off my forehead and inched a little closer. “You look beat. Close your eyes and get some rest. I’ll make you a big breakfast when you wake up.”
“Kiss me,” I whispered. “Please.”
Lio searched my gaze for a moment before he lightly pressed his lips to mine. Just that brief caress soothed the ache in my heart. I closed my eyes, thinking that would have to be enough for now, but Lio kissed my forehead, my closed eyelids, and even the tip of my nose before pressing them against my lips once more.
I reopened my eyes and caught him watching me with a tenderness Lio rarely showed. I savored that more than my next breath. I wasn’t always sure how to process the feelings Lio stirred inside me, so I tucked the moment away in my heart and gave him what he expected out of me when things got too serious. “Can we talk about your underwear?” The question came out of nowhere, catching him by surprise.
Lio rolled his beautiful eyes but the gentleness remained. “No,” he grumbled as he slid even closer. I draped an arm around his waist and sighed as Lio nuzzled his nose against my chest.
“Are they even yours? They look a few sizes too small.”
“Go to sleep, Abe.”
I yawned big enough to crack my jaw. “Yes, dear.”
