Page 95 of Then Came You
“You can still come over after your shift.”
“You’ll wait up for me?”
“Of course. I’ll eat leftovers and watch the movie with Cocoa until you get home.”
Home. They’d begun using the word interchangeably, and he loved the sound of it.
“What will you be wearing when I get there?”
She laughed. “What do you want me to wear?”
“Your robe with nothing underneath.”
“Ohhh, Officer Nichols, you naughty man.”
“Hey, I need something to keep me warm tonight.”
She rubbed up against him. “I’ll be happy to keep you warm all night long.”
They kissed again, and he slipped his hands underneath the back of her sweater to caress her smooth skin.
“I’m making this harder on myself,” he said.
She glanced down at the front of his uniform pants. “I’ll say.”
They kissed some more, and then he reluctantly stood up.
“I should go.”
She straightened the front of his shirt. “Be safe tonight.”
She’d said this regularly since they’d started dating, and he appreciated the sentiment every time. He knew that her anxiety kicked in whenever he left for work, especially at night. She smiled bravely, but she’d worry until he got home.
“I will. I love you.”
“I love you too. I’ll keep the couch warm for you.”
He chuckled and gave her one last kiss before they left the office.
“Do you want me to pick up Rocky on my way home?” she asked as they reentered the bookstore.
“That would be great. Thanks.”
While he considered kissing or hugging her again, a few customers were milling around, so he kept his distance. On the way past the counter, he said goodbye to Savannah and Lauren, smiled at Gillian one last time, and left.
Since he’d been in the store, the wind had picked up, and the rain was coming down even harder.
“This is going to be a long night,” he muttered as he backed out of the parking spot. But at least I have Gillian to go home to.
Chapter 29
Gillian watched Sam drive away in his cruiser with a feeling of trepidation.
“Everything okay?” asked Lauren.
“Yes and no. Everything’s going great between Sam and me, but I have a bad feeling about him being out on the road tonight.”
Lauren rubbed her arm consolingly. “I understand, but I’m sure he’ll be careful.”
