“Hello?Drea,” he said roughly.“You okay?”
“Not really,” she answered.She was running out of adrenaline-infused energy, the effects of the night finally catching up with her.
“Where are you?”he asked, his voice heavy with concern.She looked across at Cujo.His jaw was clenched and he didn’t look at her.She reached out and tickled the scruff on his cheeks, relieved when she saw a hint of a smile.
“On my way to your office.Can you and Lopes meet us there?”
“I’m on my way.Do I need to send cars out to you, Drea?”
“We called nine one one already.I’ll explain when we get there.We’ll be there in…” She looked at Cujo.
“Five minutes,” he said.
“You coming in with Mr.Matthews?”The change in his voice sapped the last of her energy.
“I am.I’ll see you soon, Detective.”The use of his title was harsh but necessary, for both men.
A quick call to Detective Lopes ensured he would meet them at Carter’s office.
When she finally hung up, they were close to the station and Cujo had slowed down.
“What a fucking night, Shortcake.”He reached for her hand, and as always he kissed the back of it before placing it on his thigh.Touching him, being connected to him through what they’d shared, made the moment all the more intimate.
“Who do you think fired that shot we heard?”
“I don’t know, and I can’t say I care.They’re both assholes.”
Of course he was right.They’d killed Mike MacArthur, possibly killed Walter Tobias, attempted to kill Evelyn, and then tonight.Fuck.But Snake had shown them an amazing act of mercy.
“Look, Drea,” he said gruffly, his voice wrecked with emotion.“I realized something back there and I just need to say it before we get into the police station.”He took a breath and kissed her hand again, an endearing nervous action that made her smile.
“What’s that Brody?”
“I know you have stuff you want to work through.But don’t do it without me.Live with me.Grow with me.Let’s figure it out together.Because I swear to God, when the bullet went by your head, I was too scared to look in case you were gone.”He choked, and coughed to clear his throat.“Just… be with me, Drea.Please.”
After everything they had gone through, nothing seemed insurmountable any more.They were stronger together than they were apart.It had wrecked her to see him fight for her, for them.To be physically hurt to give them both a chance of surviving.
“I want that, too, Brody.You can’t fill the holes for me, but I think I know the difference now.Somehow, around you, I feel like I can fill them on my own.You give me the confidence to do that.When it gets hard, right?”she said, tears burning her eyes.
Cujo parked outside the police station.He turned in his seat, wrapping a hand around the back of her neck.His lips brushed hers, a kiss so potent she shivered.
“Exactly, Shortcake.”
EPILOGUE
“Merry Christmas,” Cujo said with a smile, his hands still under her butt.“That was your first gift,” he added breathlessly.
Drea laughed and kissed him one more time, her heart racing.Every inch of her tingled as Cujo pulled out of her and headed to the bathroom to deal with the condom.
She pulled on her Christmas pajamas and padded into the living room.Theirliving room was now a mix of their things.Not that Drea had brought much stuff with her.
The lights of the Christmas tree twinkled, shining over the envelope Drea had placed under it after Cujo had fallen asleep.
Coffee.Even standing on her tiptoes she couldn’t quite reach the coffee canister.A kitchen reorganize, or at least the purchase of a step stool, was in their future.Strong hands gripped round her waist and boosted her the extra few inches into the air.
“Put me down,” she giggled, slapping at his hands.He lowered her to the floor, and nuzzled her neck as she put the coffee into the filter.
Leaning back against him, she caught sight of their reflection in the kitchen window.He was her rock.She fit completely within his silhouette.The sight of his bare chest around her did crazy things to her insides—she could seriously stare at him all day.
