I push the floppy hair off his forehead, taking him in, letting him see how serious I am. I never expected to find him, but I love Bode more than I ever thought possible. “Take me home, Bode. Where I belong.”
“Damn right.” He beams. “You belong with us.”
For the first time in my life, it’s the truth. It’s where I belong. With Bode. I’ve never felt so loved or so safe as I do with him.
He’s my safe place. A place I never want to leave.
As long as I have Bode, I’ll have everything I need.
ChapterThirty-Six
BODE
“Could you not drive any faster?” Stevie whines from next to me.
“I’m trying not to break the law here. I don’t need a mugshot plastered all over the news.”
Not when things have finally changed for good.
“Well, hurry up. It’s been too long and all I want to do is be with you.”
“Fuck. We really should have done this at Cressy’s.”
“And have them interrupt us? No, thanks.”
After what feels like hours, my house finally comes into view.
“Finally.” Stevie unclicks her seatbelt and climbs over the console. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“You know, you didn’t have to leave.”
“I was scared they’d find you.’
I brush the soft locks out of her face. “Let me worry about that if it happens again.”
“Okay.” Her smile is soft and happy. “Now, take me inside.”
Lifting Stevie out of the car, I lick and suck on her neck, reveling in the taste and feel of her as I carry her inside. Even a few weeks was too long without her.
“I never want to be without you again.”
Pushing her against the wall, I take my time. I know Caleb is in good hands with Gran.
“Did you hear that?” I hear someone ask.
But before I can take her upstairs, a bucket of ice water is dumped over me.
“What are you doing back?”
Pulling my mouth away from Stevie, I see Gran and Deb are on the couch, blanket covering themselves.
“Oh my God!” I jump back, hitting my back against the wall before turning away entirely. Stevie’s holding on to me like a spider monkey. “What are you two doing?”
“Us? The two of you were practically humping in the hallway,” Gran counters.
“You said you were going to be a few hours,” Deb adds.
My hand is covering my eyes. At this point, I think I need bleach to unsee what I just saw.
