Page 72 of Code Name: Reaper
When I eventually stilled, I realized what I’d done. “Charity, I didn’t?—”
“Shh. It’s okay.”
“But—”
“I won’t get pregnant, and I haven’t been with anyone for…a long time.”
“Neither have I.” While I wanted to stay inside her forever, I eased my body from hers and shifted to my side, pulling her as close as I could when she did the same.
My fingers brushed the hair from her face at the same time my lips met hers. The kiss was softer, sweeter, gentler, like our hands as we explored each other’s bodies.
She caught my wrist and brought one of mine to her lips. “I love your hands.” She kissed my palm, running her tongue along its deep lines.
There were so many things I could say to tease her, but now wasn’t the time. I wanted to savor these brief moments as we lay in each other’s arms after joining our bodies together.
The blissful moment ended far too soon, when my rumbling stomach broke the silence.
“Least romantic man who ever lived,” I muttered, somewhat mortified.
Charity shook her head. “Most romantic.”
While we waitedfor our pizza to be delivered, we made love again. Then more after we ate. It felt right, being here, instead of on the plane or even in the cottage in Shere. My brother had made the arrangements like he had with the other places we’d shared, but this felt more like ours. Maybe it was because it was close to where she grew up, or maybe because it was where I came so close to losing her, yet in those fleeting hours, neither of us could let go.
Charity ran her finger up and down my bare arm. “What are you thinking about?”
“I like being here. With you. In this place.”
She nodded once as if she understood perfectly.
“What about you? What are you thinking about?”
“Something you said.”
I winced, and she leaned in to kiss me.
“I was talking to your mother when I saw you across the street. I remember being worried about Mercury and you, and while feeling absolutely sorry for myself, I wondered if anyone would ever worry about me. And then, when you came inside, do you remember the first words you spoke to me?”
“‘Do you know how worried I was?’”
“I realized then that it wasn’t the first time. Not by a long shot. There you were, even when you still believed I’d betrayed your confidence, you still came looking for me, still worried about me.”
“I didn’t believe you had by then, but you’re right. No matter what, I’ll always come looking for you. I’ll always worry about you. I’ll always care about you.”
“I’ll always care about you too.” As she snuggled into me, her beating heart resting against mine, I wondered if, like me, she didn’t mean care as much as she did, love.
17
AMARYLLIS
There were so many things I needed to do. While I’d sent Wren the photos we took of Briggs and Bogdanov, I hadn’t prepared the brief I promised her. I also owed Vera a call. At the very least, a text saying we’d returned to Newport News later than expected. Since it was after midnight now, I doubted she’d appreciate receiving an alert that wasn’t urgent.
I couldn’t decide if I should consider the note Edmonds’ daughter gave me as a lead I should follow up on or if he was passing on intel we already knew. And finally, Reaper and I needed to arrange a meeting with his parents.
Actually, there was more. My grandparents’ house. Reaper was right when he’d mentioned keeping it seemed like a big expense for a house that sat empty. Until tonight, I hadn’t been able to even think about setting foot in it again. I was aware I needed to, but the emotional toll I knew it would take was more than I could face. Reaper had made it easier for me solely by being with me. I wasn’t even sure I would’ve found the photos if he hadn’t been there. At least not now.
As I lay snuggled in his arms, any guilt or regret I might’ve felt for not doing the things I should have was absent. I wouldn’t change what had happened between us for anything, even finding Mercury.
I wondered if when I woke tomorrow—which meant I’d eventually be able to fall asleep again—I’d feel the same way I did now. Mainly about Mercury.
