by Autumn Dawn
To her surprise he’d had little to say to her since the incident, though he did double the security around their home. Most of his time was spent away from her, doing whatever it was he did. Night after night he came to bed long after she was already asleep. He was usually gone before she got up.
It hurt. She knew she’d screwed up and wanted to make an apology, but he was never home. Nor was she ever able to track him down during the day. Wherever he went, he didn’t want to be found.
She was more than willing to concede to his wishes that she stay out of his business. Had her friend not been involved she wouldn’t have gotten mixed up in it this last time. But this was it. This wall he’d built between them had to go down. Even the loneliness of days or weeks without him while he was out on missions would be better than living with him, but apart. It was time to end this, but how could she tell him so when he wouldn’t stay put?
Just as she was about to explode from frustration, Skye walked in the door.
“Hello,” he told her as he shut the kitchen door and opened the refrigerator as if nothing had happened.
Annoyed and hurt by his behavior, she scowled at his face, outlined by the light spilling out of the cooler. “What’s the occasion?” she snipped, “Don’t tell me, you’re only home to get some gear so you can run off and chase another criminal.”
He straightened, leaned against the doorway and popped the seal on his beverage. “No.” He regarded her coolly, but without rancor. “I’ve resigned my commission on the Black Tide and accepted a local position. It’s not as exciting, but with the promotion it pays just as well and—”
Nothing he could have said would have shocked her more. Before this moment she would have sworn that what he’d done was exactly what she wanted. “No.” She couldn’t let him do it.
“What?” He frowned at her and straightened up. “What are you talking about? I thought you wanted—”
Tears blurred her vision as she went to him. Her smile wobbled as she placed a tentative hand on his chest. “I love that you’re willing to do this for me, but I can’t let you. You love what you do, and it was wrong of me to try to take that away. Forgive me, for everything. I’ve wanted to ask you to for days, but you were never home. Call Nemesis and tell him you’ve changed your mind.”
Bewildered by her reaction, Skye wrapped his arms around her. “Are you sure?” He placed his hand on her belly. “I need you to be sure.”
She knew what he was asking and smiled to reassure him. “I’m a strong woman, Skye. If you’ll just promise to be home as much as you can, I can do this.” She let the love and respect she felt for him shine in her eyes. “You’re needed.”
More relieved than he could say, Skye hugged her back. “You’re an amazing woman, my love.” The kiss he gave her was too jubilant to be passionate, but it communicated his joy nonetheless. “Thank you.”
His exhilaration was infectious. “Does this mean I’m forgiven?” she gasped when he let her up.
Skye’s mouth quirked with mischief. “Definitely, though I may have to hide the Splinter until after you have the baby,” he teased.
“Why you—”
A quick kiss shut her up. She’d taught him well what it took to make her happy.
