“Fuck,” he growls, his body jerking with the release.
I lick every last drop away and then meet his eyes as he stares down at me sleepily.
“You can wake me up like that any day,” he murmurs.
I smile. “I think I just might ...”
Grinning, he leans forward and strokes his thumb over my bottom lip. Then he slides it into my mouth, and I can taste his release.
“You missed some, Hoover.”
I grin and get up onto my knees, leaning in to kiss him. He puts his hand on my shoulders and shakes his head. “I don’t think so, baby.”
“Aw,” I pout prettily.
“Don’t pout at me, I’m not tasting myself.”
Stirring by the window has us looking over to see Cody beginning to wake. I slide out of bed and pull on a pair of shorts and a singlet. Jagger does the same and then he pulls the sheets off the bed; we made quite the mess. I grin at him and then peer over the side of the crib at Cody, who is now staring up at me sleepily.
“Hey, baby, you slept well.”
He breaks out into a sweet smile, and I reach down and scoop him into my arms, rustling his dark hair. Jagger walks over and sweeps down to kiss his son. Cody takes hold of Jagger’s necklace before he can pull away. I listen with happiness as Jagger chuckles and then unclips the thick silver necklace and hands it to his son. Cody squeals happily and proceeds to pop the necklace into his mouth, coating it with drool.
“Uh oh, Daddy’s not aware of choking hazards,” I tease.
“Shit,” Jagger says, reaching for the necklace.
“It’s okay,” I say, waving a hand at him, “just don’t leave him alone with it.”
I hand Cody to him and then cup his cheek, stroking my fingers down the scruff on his chin. “It’ll get easier when you’re around all the time.”
Jagger nods stiffly and then bounces Cody about as he walks out of the room, leaving me alone. I stare at the door. Did I miss something? With a sigh, I take the sheets to the laundry and then I walk out into the main living area. Only Ace and Jenny are up this early, both smiling when I walk in. Jagger is standing out the front, and Cody is in his swing on the floor. Jagger is on the phone and obviously doesn’t want whoever it is to hear his son or anyone else in the background.
I prepare a bottle for Cody and sit at the table while he has it. Jenny smiles and shifts over when I sit. “How did you two sleep?”
I smile. “Well.”
“Cody?”
“Really good, not a peep.”
Ace is watching Jagger on the phone, his eyes narrowed, so I turn and watch too. He’s having a serious conversation, his eyebrows are pinched together, and his jaw is tight. I stand and walk over, listening through the screen.
“Fuck, Mick. I get it alright? I’m comin’ back today.”
Today? He said he had two days? My heart drops.
It feels as though everything in my world just stops, even though I know it continues to spin around me.
“Yeah,” Jagger growls, “I got it.”
He slams the phone down and turns to face me. I bite my lip and try to stop myself from saying what is swirling in my mind over and over, but I know he can see it in my face. Jagger’s eyes soften, just a touch, as he meets mine. I can see that he’s sorry, but it doesn’t take the pain away. He steps through the screen and announces, “I gotta go back this morning.”
I grit my teeth.
“What?” Ace shakes his head. “You said two days, boss.”
“Change of plans. Mick is getting suspicious. If he continues bein’ suspicious then this goes to shit. I have to go back. It’s the only option if we want this to work.”
“We need to get the guys up so we can discuss this. Jenny,” Ace says, “go and wake them for me, babe.”
Jenny nods and stands quickly, rushing off down the hall. I walk numbly back to the table and sit down. Jagger sits beside me, taking my chin in his hand and tilting my head up.
“It won’t be for long. We’re gonna fix this baby, I swear it.”
“I thought I had two days,” I say, swallowing the lump in my throat.
“I know,” he says, his voice slowly lacking emotion, “I know.”
“Where’s your next fight? Where can we meet up with you next?” I ask, heart racing.
Jagger’s eyes fall on mine and don’t move. “Home.”
I cringe. I thought I had escaped that place and would never have to see it and the pain it brought me for a lot longer.
“Oh,” I mutter. “Of course it has to be there.”
“I have six fights there next month. It’s the only option.”