“Where are you going?”
“To have a shower.”
She sits up slowly, rubbing her eyes. I move toward the bathroom as she follows suit. Turning the faucet on mid temperature, I cock a brow at her and she shrugs. “Can I join?” she takes off her nightgown before I can register her question.
The hot water steams up the glass almost instantly, fogging the mirror, but I don’t care. I step into the shower and pull her in with me, her body slipping easily into mine like she belongs here.
Because she does.
Water cascades down our skin, and I press her back against the cool tile, kissing her like I’m imprinting the memory on my soul. She kisses me back with desperation, her hands roaming my chest, clutching at me like she’s afraid I’ll be gone.
We don’t speak.
Words would ruin it.
It’s just hands and mouths and sighs. A dance of heat and water and love. A goodbye that tastes like a promise.
When I make love to her, it’s not hurried—it’s reverent. Deep. Intimate. Her name is a whispered prayer on my lips, and when we fall apart in each other’s arms, it’s not just from pleasure—it’s from the ache of knowing this is the last time for a while.
Afterward, I hold her in the shower, water running cold before either of us even notices.
I dry her off gently, like she’s something fragile. She insists on helping me get dressed, her fingers trembling as she buttons up my shirt. After she puts on her leggings and an oversized shirt, we make our way downstairs.
The knock on the door comes too soon.
I glance toward it, jaw tight.
Another knock. Then a familiar voice yells through the door.
“Yo, soldier boy! If we’re late, I’m blaming your sex life!”
Isabel stifles a laugh against my shoulder. “CJ,” she whispers.
“Yep,” I mutter, grabbing my duffel.
“Don’t even think about sneaking out without giving me a goodbye hug!” Alex shouts next. “And tell your woman to stop crying—we’ll bring you back in one piece!”
I turn to her, cupping her face in my hands. “Hey. You hear that? You’ve got the whole squad looking out for me.”
She nods, eyes glassy. “I know… I just hate this part.”
“I do too, baby.” I lean down, kissing her slow and deep. “But I’ll be back. And when I am, I want that little white house and a backyard full of barefoot kids, okay?”
She laughs softly through her tears. “Okay.”
I pull her into one last hug, burying my face in her neck. “Love you, baby.”
“Take care.”
Another knock—this time accompanied by CJ dramatically coughing. “Wrap it up, lovebirds. We’re not missing the goddamn transport again!”
I laugh against her skin, then press one last kiss to her lips and step back, letting her go before I lose my nerve.
I swing open the front door.
CJ stands there, arms crossed, grinning. “Well, well, you look freshly laid.”
Alex, behind him, gives me a mock salute. “It’s the glow. He’s practically sparkling.”
