He laughs, then I’m in his lap, whatever he was holding placed on the little table between the chairs. He takes my mask and sets it beside his. Then he wraps his arms around me, and I lean into him, needing this closeness more than I’d realized.
After a while, my tears contained, I rub my cheek against his, my skin still getting used to the texture of his beard. “Why have you beenso distant?”
He holds me closer. “I didn’t want to mess up. Words and emotions aren’t my strong suit, Sugar.”
“Maybe, but I know you, RJ. You’d never hurt me, not on purpose. And keeping away worried me. I’d rather you try and fail than hide from me.”
He shifts me so we can see each other’s faces. “You need another limpet? Because I promise I can cling just as well as Jansen.”
I run my palm along his cheek. “I love all my limpets. The clingier, the better.”
His laugh sinks into me, and I realize I get a lifetime of working those bone-deep laughs out of him. It’s a lifetime I’m so excited to live. “I love you,” I say.
And for the first time, clearly, with no bittersweet moment marring it, I get to hear the words said back to me. “I love you too, Clara. So damn much.”
We hold on to each other, as clingy as we both would like, enjoying the quiet before the party.
Eventually, I work up the courage to get the intel I need for my plan. “What do you want for your birthday, RJ?”
“You’re asking a little late, Sugar.”
“Well, I have an idea, but I don’t want to force it on you.”
His gold-tinged eyes are curious. “What kind of idea?”
“A sexy one?”
He pokes me in the side. “Is that a question?”
“No, it’s not. You’ve said before you like to watch, right?”
He stops breathing for a moment. “What do you have in mind?”
“What do you think about a hunt, but you know where everyone is, so you can follow andwatch?”
A slow smile spreads across his face. “A hunt?”
I feel a flush coating my skin, and his knuckle comes up to trace it across my face and chest. “It turns out I like being chased.”
His smile grows. “Give me the details, Sugar.”
“I run. Everyone chases. And if you want, you can watch. As much or as little as you’d like.”
He tugs me closer, his nose pressed against my skin, his breath a little ragged. “I think I like that idea. A lot. But are you sure you’re up for that? Especially with everything you’ve gone through?”
I feel a flush coat my skin, equal parts arousal and embarrassment as I try to put my thoughts into words. “Definitely. I trust you all. And it sounds weird, but it’s kind of freeing. I can play a victim, but really, I’m in charge the whole time. Like watching a scary movie. All the thrills, none of the danger.”
He chuckles, squeezing me tighter. “In that case, it sounds like a wonderful birthday present. It’s a good thing I got you and Trips new phones today.”
“Tracking app installed?”
“Of course. I’m not losing you ever again, Sugar. Not if I can help it. Consider me a digital limpet.”
I chuckle. “Then it’s a plan.”
“I can’t wait.”
I pop to my feet, ready to get to the party so we can get on with the party. He tugs me back into his lap. “You’re forgetting something, sweetness.” He holds up the bag.
