Page 76 of Wells

Both other times, he was up and gone before the sheets cooled, back to all business. He says this time goes differently. I'll believe it when we're at the office tomorrow, and he still looks at me like a person.

His breathing stays even. His arm stays where it is. The room holds quiet around us, only the muted hum of traffic and the building settling into Sunday with a low groan.

I roll onto my back, careful not to wake him, and study him in the daylight.

His dark hair is mussed, falling across his forehead, so he looks years younger. His lashes rest dark against his cheeks.

He shifts, and his arm tightens around me for a second before his breathing changes.

I don't move. I let him surface on his own.

His free arm comes over and lands across me, eyes still shut. His hand flexes against my stomach, and then he goes still, like he's orienting himself.

"Morning," I whisper.

His voice is rough with sleep. "Morning."

"You know, I was prepared to be deeply offended if you disappeared before coffee."

He exhales, his warm breath tickling my skin. "I considered it."

"And?"

"I was asleep."

I smile. "Hard to leave when you're sleeping."

"That's what I was thinking."

His hand moves, tracing a slow line along my ribs. I close my eyes and let myself enjoy it.

"What time is it?" he asks.

"No idea."

"You don't care?"

"Not even a little."

He shifts behind me, propping himself up on one elbow. His eyes are still heavy with sleep, and his mouth quirks at one corner.

"Are you always this peppy in the morning before coffee?"

"You stayed."

"You sound surprised."

"I guess I'm waiting for the cold version of you to come back."

His expression flickers, then closes. "I told you this would be different."

I still don't know what to do with this surprising turn of events, so I don't say anything. I reach up and brush the hair off his forehead, and he leans into the touch like he's been waiting for it.

I think about Midnight briefly. It's Sunday, our normal call night, but I haven't talked to him since Tuesday. I wonder if we're done or if I will hear from him.

"Coffee?" I ask.

"That'd be nice."