He lets out a breath. "And I'm also the one rocking a hard on in an interrogation room with my lawyer sitting across from me. Not ideal, baby." Even though the words are spoken through his teeth I can feel the tease in them.
But it also feels as if a rush of cold water has been doused over me. "I miss you. When will you be coming home?"
"I miss you more, believe me," he says honestly. He sighs, a long one that holds regret. And I already don't want to hear what he has to say. I just know it won't be good. "I'm here for the weekend."
"The weekend?" I breathe.
"They're keeping the charges and there won't be a bail hearing until Monday," he informs me. "Nico will try his best to get the charges dropped but as long as Liu is on the case I don't see it happening."
Truth is I don't either. Liu is strong headed and on her own personal vendetta. She's been wronged in her life. Taking justice in any way she sees fit, even if it means crossing the lines. And I don't see it coming to an end until she gets the justice she truly desires.
"But you'll be home."
"Anywhere you are is home, Grace."
Butterflies swarm my stomach as my heart races. "I didn't think it was possible but I just fell deeper in love with you."
"I intend for you to find yourself so deep that you can't find your way out."
"That's the thing, big guy, I never want to," I confess to him softly.
I hear the sharp inhale of breath from him. "And here I am, falling deeper in love with you."
We share a moment of silence and yet in that silence it says everything we can't possibly find the words to say.
And I realize I adore the silent moments with him just as much as our engaging ones.
"Will you be okay?" Tentatively I ask. "I know what tomorrow is."
Tomorrow being the tenth anniversary of his brother in arms deaths.
The last thing I want is for him to be alone. I don't want his mind to wander to a dark place. I don't want him to have a nightmare and for me not to be there to console him.
"Tonight will be one of the hardest in my life," he grits out and I can hear the pain. "The only thing getting me through it is I know I'll have you on the other side waiting for me."
My voice is soft, like a caress, but it's packed with emotion. "Where else would I be?"
"You know Grace," he says, his voice soft and vulnerable, "when this is all over, when our battles are behind us, I want to take you somewhere."
I smile. "Where are you taking me?"
"Somewhere nice and warm. Somewhere we can watch the sun set on the beach and I can fuck you until the sun rises." My cheeks heat. "I want you, Grace, all to myself. The only thought I want you to have is how soon I'll be fucking you again. Tell me you want it, too. Tell me you're aching for it just as much as I am." There's a tenderness and desperation in his voice.
"I want it, too, Oak." And I'm just as desperate as him. I add, "I want everything and nothing with you. All I want is you."
"You still have faith in me." He sounds awed and greatly astonished. And I don't think that will ever change. Oak will always be amazed by how much I love and believe in him.
"It's never been lost."
"You really were made for me." I can hear the smile in his voice. He sighs heavily then, and I can hear his hand running down his face. "I have to go now."
Desperation seeps from my pores. My hand clings onto the phone tighter. "So soon?" I hate how small my voice is. So scared and weak.
"There will never be enough time to have with you, baby. It's always too soon."
My heart fucking swoons. "I love you, Oak."
"I love you, Grace. More than you could possibly ever imagine. Keep that faith in me and stay strong. I'll be home to you." The sound of the call ending threatens to crack at my heart once more.
