“You good?”
“A little drunk,” I admit. I drank more than I should have, but I wanted to forget if only for a few hours. “How long you been home?” I push up off the floor and drop my purse on the washer.
“A while. Gotta tell ya, babe. Don’t like the feel of this place without you and little man filling it up with your scent and sounds.”
Okay. That’s hella sweet. My insides warm at his words. I bite back the gushy emotions swirling through me. “I’m just gonna get ready for bed. I’ll take the couch,” I tell him as I enter the bedroom kicking off my shoes by the closet.
I steal a glance over my shoulder at him.
“You’re not sleeping on the damn couch.” He throws the sheet back exposing his naked glory. My attraction to him has never been a problem. Dark ink in random patterns covers a good portion of his torso. He totally has more of a Dad Bod now, but he’s still sexy.
“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”
“Maybe you don’t but I do.” He stalks toward the dresser, opening one of the drawers, and bringing out a pair of flannel pajama pants. “I’ll take the couch.”
“Okay.” I gulp and nod. In all the years we’ve been married that man has never taken the couch. Was always an agreement between us. That mad or not we shared our bed. I guess there’s a first time for everything.
Link nabs his pillow and heads down the hall to the living room. I take my sleepwear into the bathroom and push back the sadness threatening to overwhelm me. I asked for space and he’s respecting my wishes. I should be happy at the fact, but I’m anything but glad about it.
Taking my time, I go through the motions. Brushing my hair. Washing my face. Brushing my teeth. Changing into clean panties and a thin cotton nightie. I pray that he’s already asleep, but when I exit the bathroom, I hear the Tv humming and the kitchen light is on.
I stare at the empty side of his bed as I lay on my side, hugging my pillow. Closing my eyes, I beg for sleep to claim me. Link continues to bang around in the kitchen, and I curse under my breath. Noisy asshole.
Curiosity forces me out of bed and down the hall to the source of all the racket. I fold my arms over my chest to hide my nipples hardening at the sight of him in those damn flannel pants looking like my every fantasy. Broody, sexy, and bare chested. The love of my life.
That’s why this all hurts so damn much. Deep down despite my anger I know he loves me.
“What are you doing?” I see an empty bottle of Jim Beam in the trash. Guess we’ve both been drinking away our feelings.
He looks back at me. The wrinkles around his eyes prominent. There’s a sadness to him that breaks my heart. “Looking for the pizza pan.”
“It’s in here.” I shuffle around him, bending to open the bottom cabinet when I misjudge the distance between my forehead and the counter. Thwack. I cry out and drop to my ass on the floor.
“Shit. You okay?” Link’s hand lands on my shoulder.
I stare up at him, tears gathering in the creases of my eyes threatening to spill over the brim. “Are either of us?”
He guides me to my feet and to a kitchen chair. “Let me get a look at you in the light.” His fingers dust over my skin and I wince.
“Knocked it good. Probably bruise. Already forming a knot.” When his lips press against my temple only then do my tears fall. He moves off and finds the pan. “You hungry?”
I shake my head. “I can’t eat but I can’t sleep either. If you want company.”
“Never turn down a pretty woman.” He smiles as my lips turn down.
I look away. The statement cuts bone deep.
“Shit. Didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”
“I’m just going to take something for this and go to bed. My car is at Jules’s, so I’ll have Zoe drop Connor off tomorrow.”
“She’s gonna hold off till I call. There’s something you should know.”
“What else is there?”
“Birds of Hell are coming to town. This weekend.”
“Okay. Why are you telling me this?”
“Because Vince is the Prez now.”
“I still don’t see how that’s relevant or why you think I’d care.”
“When he had to ride away without you, he made me swear I’d never hurt you. That I’d do right by you. I broke my word.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“He warned me if I screwed you over, he’d make sure I paid. I reckon he’s heard and planning on collecting.”
“Do you think I called him?”
“No, but I know he’s kept tabs.”
“And you know that because...?”
“When we got Connor, he called to congratulate you.”
“You never told me that.”
“Nope.”
“Why not?”
“Because he still wants you and now, I’ve given him an in to get you.”
“What are you going on about?”
“Vince thinks you’re the love of his life. The one he let slip away.”
“He doesn’t. Either way I don’t care.”
“You deserved better than I gave. Maybe if I had never come between you, he could’ve given you a better life than me. Maybe he could have given you a kid of your own.”
“You don’t really believe that. I think you had too much to drink tonight.”
“I don’t know, babe. I thought I could be a better man. Be different. Break that family curse, but I’m as bad as my father.”
“You’re not your dad.”
“Cheated on you. I’m cut from that same cloth.”
“Yeah. You did. That doesn’t make you the same though.”
“I don’t know how you can look at me or be in the same room with me. Tried to play it off and act like it wasn’t a big deal, but
