“Smartass.” Sacha shook his head, amused. “Come on, sexy nurse. Bathe me.”
Gio chuckled and stood, swatting Chip’s butt playfully. Chip shot off the couch and took off, ears flat as he darted around the living room.
“Really?” Sacha side-eyed Gio. “You just had to go and give him the zoomies?”
Oops.Chip puppy-pounced in between zooming and used the furniture for his doggy parkour. Fortunately, their living room was spacious, and the furniture was sturdy.
“He’s just happy you’re home,” Gio replied, cringing when the loveseat skidded several inches after Chip bounced off the backrest. As soon as Chip expelled his pent-up energy, he flopped onto his side, panting. Cookie looked down at his brother like he didn’t know what to do with him. If he knew how to shake his head, he probably would have.
Gio helped Sacha into their bedroom, smiling at the happy sigh Sacha let out. The man had no idea how endearing he was.
“I’m so happy to be home,” Sacha murmured, then went quiet.
Gio walked over and wrapped his arms around him. “Is something wrong? Are you in pain? The nurse said you could take one of the pain pills when we got home.”
“I’ll just take some of the regular stuff. You know how much I hate the strong pain meds.” Sacha shook his head and smiled up at Gio. “I’m good. Just tired and achy.”
“Okay. Let’s get you showered and then into bed. We could both use a nap.” He led Sacha into the large en-suite bathroom and carefully helped him out of his clothes. Once the water was adjusted to the perfect temperature, Gio undressed. It wasn’t like Sacha to be so quiet, but then again, he’d just been released from the hospital after being in a coma, so Gio tried his best not to worry too much. Who wouldn’t be exhausted after the events of the last few days?
They stepped into the shower together, and Gio was mindful of the waterproof bandage sealing Sacha’s wound. Neither of them said anything, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. Gio kissed Sacha’s cheek, his brow, and caressed his body. He used his touch to express his deep love for his beautiful man. After he rinsed them, Gio shut off the water and turned, stilling at the tears in Sacha’s big blue-gray eyes.
“Love?” Gio cupped Sacha’s face. “You’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”
Sacha smiled, and it reached his eyes, forming little creases at the corners. “I think the meds and tiredness are just making me a little emotional. I’m good.”
“Okay.” Gio trusted Sacha. If he wanted Gio to know something, he would say so. Sacha had never been one to mince words, especially not with Gio.
As soon as they were dry, Gio helped Sacha get into his pajama bottoms and a comfortable T-shirt, then he did the same. A heartbeat later, they lay in bed together, and somehow the world seemed a little brighter. Sacha snuggled up against him, and warmth flooded through Gio. He adored moments like these, when the world faded away and it was just the two of them.
The bed moved, and Gio smiled as Chip appeared. He stood over Sacha, snorfled through his hair, then licked his cheek before lying down, pressing his body against Sacha’s back. Cookie lay at Sacha’s feet, curled up.
“Who needs blankets when you have dogs?” Sacha murmured, sliding his bare feet under Cookie. “Mmm, toasty warm.”
Gio brushed Sacha’s hair away from his face. His hair was a tousled mess, but it was always like that. There was nothing about Sacha that Gio didn’t find irresistible, but he especially loved his stunning blue-gray eyes. Sensing his thoughts, Sacha muttered in response.
“Are you gonna nap or just watch me sleep? Cause you know how I feel about that.”
Gio chuckled. “It creeps you out. I know. I got distracted.”
“By what?”
“Thinking about your eyes and how beautiful they are. How beautifulyouare.”
Sacha opened his eyes. “Can I confess something?”
“Of course.” That was new. Sacha didn’t usually ask for permission to be honest about anything; he just always was. It was one of the many reasons Gio loved him.
“When we first got together, I…I didn’t think it would work out.”
Gio blinked at him. “Really?”
Sacha’s cheeks flushed. “Yeah. I mean, I knew you loved me. I believed it wholeheartedly, but love isn’t always enough. Every once in a while, my insecurities would creep up, and I’d wonder why you wanted me.”
“Like what happened with Miriam at Winterhaven?”
“Yeah. That was kind of when I realized I was letting my insecurities get the better of me, and that wasn’t me. But I’ve never loved anyone like this, and I worried that one day it would all be too much for you—me, the job, the army of brothers who love to meddle in everyone’s business, my argumentative dog.”
Gio ran his fingers through Sacha’s hair. “I wish you had told me.”
