I barely held it together while she came and shuddered within my hold, then I finally gave over to my rising orgasm—coming with a breathless growl and mindless cursing.
Time stood still and drew out far longer than it ever had after we’d fucked. Hallie clung to my shoulders. Still buried deep within her, I wrapped her in my arms and rested my forehead against the shower wall behind her head. I was beyond thankful that the relationship we’d forged over years in the army had stayed strong, albeit a little buckled under the pressure of today.
“Hallie?” I murmured.
She hummed and waited for me to continue. What I had to tell her couldn’t wait, and it couldn’t be murmured into her hair. Pulling away just enough to cup her face with my hands, I smoothed my thumbs through the dewy shower drops peppering her cheekbones.
“I love you, Hells. Properly, fully, and so fucking stupidly.”
A little smile graced her lips and her expression softened. “It’s weird to say, but I love you too. Properly, fully, and so fucking stupidly,” she echoed back.
I inhaled deep as I claimed her mouth, then kissed her leisurely. When the tender moment eased and my dick slid free from her body, the sense of separation rendered me reluctant to step away.
“I mean it, Hallie. You had me fucking panicking earlier. I’ve never heard you so hysterical and scared.”
“I wasn’t scared,” she snapped, then softened her tone when I tucked my chin back. “I wasn’t scared, Ayve; I was angry. I still am.”
“And you’re allowed to be. C’mere.” I maneuvered her under the shower spray, then peeled off my shirt and dropped it on the floor to join my discarded pants and underwear.
Far away with her thoughts, Hallie let me wash her down and massage shampoo through her hair. I focused on finger-combing it and watching the suds run through her long locks.
“Claire rang earlier,” I murmured in a careful tone.
“Fuck.” Hallie instantly stiffened, so I massaged the shampoo suds along her shoulders.
“She’s worried about you. I explained the situation and she’s given you a few days leave but needs you to check in with your psych before too long.”
Much to my surprise, Hallie nodded. “I know. It’s protocol after an assignment.”
“I can drive you wherever you need to go.”
Hallie met my gaze, and I saw her walls rising into place. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll go once we’ve finished shower—”
I raised my voice over hers. “You’ll go no earlier than ten tomorrow. Stay,” I implored, returning my voice to gentler tones. “At least for the next few days, but ideally until I need to head back to Fort Irwin. Harrison won’t mind.”
A frown formed between her eyebrows. “Who’s Harrison?”
“My friend. This is his apartment.”
Hallie’s jaw fell slack and her eyes widened. “Are you fucking serious? We fucked on his couch!”
I threw my head back and roared with laughter, ignoring the slap to my chest.
“Avery!” Her exclamation only made me laugh harder.
She mumbled a string of curses while washing out her hair, then grabbed the conditioner. I kissed her while she closed her eyes and massaged it in, then set my hands on her hips and smoothed up and down.
“I’ll bring you some of my clothes to change into, unless you’ve got bags in your car you want brought up?”
Hallie shook her head. “There’s nothing I need in them right now.”
“That’s fine. I got you.”
“Thank you,” she added, quietly.
“Welcome.” I dropped another kiss on her mouth and smiled before pushing open the glass door.
Dried and with the towel secured around my waist, I selected a tee and sweats for Hallie to wear for the night, then left them in the bathroom for when she was ready to emerge.