Chapter Ten
I’m awakened the next morning by Ward switching on the light in the closet, and I smell coffee.
“Good morning, Sir.”
This is…weird. Disorienting. Not just because it takes me a moment to realize that I’m not in my own bed, and that a US senator is waking me up…
And has my coffee sitting on the nightstand for me.
Liam.
My mind immediately focuses on him and I wonder if he’s worried because I didn’t come home last night.
Good.
I’m not perfect. I’m going to act more than a little spiteful until I get it out of my system.
I sit up and pat the bed next to me. Ward climbs back in and I give him a good-morning kiss.
I want to see what it feels like.
He’s a damned good kisser, but I suppose that’s to be expected.
I massage his scalp and his eyes fall shut as his head droops.
More reverse déjà vu for me.
“Good morning, boy,” I say. I pick up the coffee mug and…
It’s how I would make it for myself.
“Did I make it right?” he asks.
“It’s perfect, thank you.” My brain feels sluggish this morning, out of whack because my life is out of whack. I am a creature of routine, and right now, I don’t have one. “Let’s get in the shower.”
I realize he’s wearing the day collar when we step under the spray and it’s another minor gut-punch reminding me why I’m doing this.
“When we get to my place,” I tell him, “if Liam’s not awake, you can wake him up. You can also give him a good-morning kiss.Onlyone.”
He literally throws his arms around me, hugging me. “Thank you, Sir!”
“You’re welcome boy. And, if he hasn’t done it already, you can make coffee for him.” I step out from under the water so Ward can take my place, and I think those are tears he’s blinking away as he ducks his head under the water.
“Thank you, Sir. I appreciate it.”
* * * *
We arrive at my place and the lights are off, meaning Liam is probably still asleep.
I quietly let us in and, yes, I see him asleep on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket.
At least he honored my wishes there.
And Ward earns more bonus points when he waits for me to motion to him that he can go wake Liam up.
I head upstairs to shave and change. I don’t think I can handle seeing the two of them together in that kind of intimate moment yet. I only have so much strength in me right now.
I am trying, though.
