As I turn the water off, Ezra brushes his teeth. When I step out and wrap a towel around my body from the shelving over the commode his eyes narrow on me. He spits, then rinses before advancing on me.
He practically growls as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me flush against him. The water from my hair trickles down my back in cold drops and I shiver. “I’m sorry I was so grouchy when I got in. I’m so damn tired, baby.”
“I understand.”
His nose brushes along my jaw, inhaling the scent of my cherry blossom shampoo. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too,” I whisper against his lips, needing a kiss to confirm his statement.
His hands travel down my hips to my thighs, then he squeezes my butt before lightly spanking me. “Get dressed.”
I nod, chewing on my bottom lip, still wanting that kiss, but not receiving it.
Left on my own, I continue to get ready.
As I am blow drying my hair, I could swear I can hear yelling and a door slamming. When I turn off my hair dryer the apartment is quiet again. I pick up my dirty laundry after brushing my teeth and head back to the bedroom to grab my bag. Ezra is seated on the edge of the bed, dressed for work. His head is buried in his hands and he won’t even look at me.
“Hey, talk to me.” I stand in front of him, rubbing my hand up his arm.
The touch I have been craving, wraps around me, hugging me as he pushes his head against my stomach. Crouching down, I tilt his chin up. His green eyes are so empty. “My father called, seems he’s checking up on me and knows I lied about my appointment. He told me I can come in to work, or I can find a new job.”
I sigh inwardly, knowing he doesn’t need any grief from me. I can see that he feels lousy. “That’s shitty.” I press my mouth to his. He returns my kiss and it feels lifeless, no spark, no warmth. I pull back. “It’s fine, you have to go. I can manage without you.” I smile, but even I know it’s anything but genuine.
“No, it’s not. I asked you to move in hoping it would make things better and it is only getting worse. I’m a shit boyfriend.”
“Stop beating yourself up. Things have been complicated, but I’m sure they will slow down, eventually.”
He shakes his head and I hate to see him so defeated. “I doubt it.”
“I live here now, so you will have plenty of opportunities to make it up to me.” I attempt to coax a smile from him, but it doesn’t work.
“True. I’ll make it up to you.”
“I’ll hold you to it.”
Ezra brightens a small fraction, flashing me a semblance of a smile before kissing me, and this time, I feel his passion return.
“I’ll see if Bailey can help me lug the rest of my junk home.”
“Already handled. Holden is going to meet you at the dorms after your class.”
“Um, okay.” Yeah, I’ll definitely be asking Bailey. There’s no way I am counting on Holden. “Can I have your key? I’ll get a copy made today.”
Ezra looks up at me, annoyance flickering in his blue eyes. “Holden didn’t get you one?”
Shaking my head, I laugh. “Nope. I had to hunt him down at that bar last night so I could get in.”
“I’m sorry, baby, I would have done it myself, but I’m always a day late and a dollar short. I can’t seem to make anyone happy.”
“You make me happy,” I tell him, hoping he doesn’t notice the rise in my voice. When I lie I tend to get high pitched. However, even after two years together, Ezra hasn’t picked up on it.
“I have to go if I’m going to make it on time.”
“I’ll see you this evening then?”
“I’ll call you on my lunch break.” He proceeds to remove his door key from his keyring and hand it to me.
I move away so he can get up to leave.