End of Story(54)

Deborah’s lips turned down. But she did as asked.

Lars shuffled into the bedroom and I followed. He shut the door and turned on me with a serious face. “I need you.”

“You what?”

“You heard me.”

“Yeah. But I still want to hear you say it again.”

He sighed. “I need you.”

“That’s lovely. Okay. Now explain what you mean.”

He shuffled forward and I took a step back and we didn’t stop until my spine touched the wall. Then he got all up in my personal space. Not stopping until I was looking up at him and he was looking down at me, and our noses were a bare handbreadth apart. The long line of stitches on his cheek made my stomach roll over. Same went for the dark bruise that had blossomed beneath his golden stubble. The thought of him being hurt was the worst.

And he was still frowning. Though that was kind of his normal setting. “I hate being in pain. Can’t stand being injured. It’s frustrating and infuriating and it pisses me off. So when I tell you I’m sorry for being a grumpy asshole today I mean it, okay?”

“Thank you for the apology.”

He nodded.

“Was there something else you wanted to talk about?”

He rested his cast on the wall above my head and leaned even closer. Close enough to brush his mouth against mine. The heat and scent of him were all welcome, as per the usual. Just having him close was a delight.

“I needed that.” I happy-sighed. Then I stopped smiling. “You smell like my shampoo. Why didn’t you ask me to help you wash your hair?”

“Remember how we discussed me being a cranky asshole?”

“Right.”

“And you were busy working and doing your grocery shopping on the laptop and I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Okay.”

He kissed me again. With a bit more fervency this time. Sucking on my top lip and biting on the bottom. He didn’t open his jaw too wide because that would hurt. But it was slow and lovely. Weird, however, given his parents and best friend were waiting in the next room. He traced his nose against mine and stayed nice and close. I hadn’t realized how much I needed this. After the scare last night and those days of waiting to see him again. I was starved for the man. And I was pretty damn sure he knew it. We kissed until he flinched and touched the side of his mouth. “Shit.”

“Are you saying goodbye or sweetening me up for something?” I asked. “Not that I mind. Just curious.”

“I like how your eyes go all lusty when I kiss you. But I can’t even breathe without it hurting right now.” He took a breath and let it out slowly and carefully. “Susie?”

“Yes, Lars?”

“Please don’t make me go home with my mother.”

I tried not to smile.

“She’ll smother me. She means well, but I can’t handle it.” He rested his forehead against mine with a sigh. “And if I try to go back to my place on my own she’ll follow and it’ll be the same deal only with her trying to tidy up and getting all into my things.”

“Oh, dear.”

He just nodded.

“I see now that your big strong exterior hides the heart of a little boy who is secretly afraid of his mommy.”

“I’m not afraid of her.” He scowled. “I just can’t fucking handle being babied. There’s a difference. Stop laughing at me.”

“Sorry.”

“Please, Princess?”

I gasped. “You said the P word. That endearment was only meant to be used inside your head.”

“The secret’s out.” His face remained paler than usual and his gaze dulled with pain. Like there was anything I wouldn’t do for the behemoth. “Can I stay here with you? Please?”

“What lovely manners you have. Of course you can.”

He smiled in victory and shuffled back toward the door. Without even stopping to give me another kiss. How rude. Then he was back out in the living room announcing, “Thanks, Mom. But I’m going to stay here.”

“But, sweetie...”

Nice and slowly, he lowered himself back into the armchair. His mom immediately placed all of the cushions around him with care. “Susie asked me if I wouldn’t mind staying.”

Every pair of eyes in the room turned my way. He’d thrown me in the deep end. The dick.

“Why is that?” asked Deborah.

My mouth opened, but all I had was, “Um.”

“She just feels better when I’m here,” said Lars.

That was me. Codependent, apparently. For fuck’s sake.

Aaron looked from Lars to me and back again. Then he looked to heaven and jangled his car key fob harder.

“She sleeps better when I’m here,” said Lars. “Don’t you, Susie?”

“I see,” said Deborah. “How long have you two been together?”

Lars gave me a wary glance. So he should. Then he licked his lips and said, “It’s early days. Look, I would just feel better staying here with her. That’s the truth.”

Deborah shook her head in wonder. “You two met when Susie used to date... Well. Isn’t it funny how things work out?”

Aaron didn’t find it funny, however. His expression was about as far from laughter as possible. He glared at me like I’d stolen his bestie. Then he turned to Lars and said, “I was thinking of taking tomorrow off to keep you company.”