“I’m just glad you’re okay.” I murmured. “What happened?”
“Oh, it’s not a big deal.” He said casually. “There have been some thefts at the apartments around the base.”
“That’s surprising.”
“Just some smash and grabs.” He assured me. “I accidentally left my phone in my car.”
“Oh, it was your car?” I asked, feeling slightly relieved. “I thought you meant your house.”
“Really, I’m fine.” He chuckled. “It’syouI’m worried about.”
“Sloane came by this weekend.” I started slowly.
“I heard.” He admitted, and I groaned. “All good things.” He assured me. “You painted again.”
“Yeah,” I murmured, wondering what exactly she’d told him.
I could hear the smile in his voice. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks.” I smiled into the phone, far too wide, feeling grateful he couldn’t see my expression now.
There was an awkward silence as I wandered into the bathroom and turned the phone on speaker. “Are you brushing your teeth?” Carter laughed.
“Yeah, I’m getting ready for bed.” I mumbled through a mouthful of toothpaste.
“Getting ready for bed, huh?” His voice lowered, but I could hear the mischievous smile that was definitely on his face. “What are you wearing?”
“Carter!” I pulled my toothbrush out of my mouth, scolding him with a grin of my own.
His laughter was deep, warm, and comforting as it leaked through the phone. I could almost feel it wrapping around me like a warm embrace. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
I spit into the sink and threw my toothbrush into the drawer. “Shouldn’t you be doing the same?” I accused.
“I’m already in bed.” He teased. “You going to think of me tonight?”
“Maybe I will.” I teased back, feeling lighter than I had in months.
He was quiet for a moment, and my pulse spiked at the pregnant pause, waiting to see what he would say next. “Maybe I’ll think of you too.” He said, his voice low, gravelly.
“Yeah?” I breathed as a tendril of desire wandered over my skin like a caress.
“Yeah,” he admitted, and then I could sense the playful jab coming before he even said it. “I’m going to think about how you looked on your birthday, after you got your protein shakes.” I groaned at the memory. “And wonder why you’re so damn cute, even when you’re more pissed off than a rabid badger.”
“Hey!” I said with mock offense, even though I was now grinning from ear to ear. “You admitted it yourself. Those shakes were disgusting.”
“Speaking of, have you been drinking your very nutritious, very delicious shakes?”
“Yes,” I answered before even realizing it was a lie.
“Sarafina, you pretty girl, are you telling me the truth?” He asked flirtatiously, but I realized heknewI was lying.
Whoopsie! “Who wants to know?”
“Someone who cares about you very much.” He was teasing, but it was still nice to hear.
I snuggled into the sheets, and suddenly it was hours later, and I’d been asleep. The call was still connected and quiet on Carter’s end, so I left it running and drifted off into a peaceful sleep for the first time in months.
CHAPTER 23
