38. Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Jordan
The first crown of curls to exit the plane has my stomach dropping and my fingers fiddling with the shit in my pockets as Rex all but runs across the tarmac to his wife and kids. They collide, her jumping into his arms, the twins’ tiny bodies hooking onto each of his legs.
Pang .
Next is Fin and his brooding that’s no match for when his partner tucks herself under his arm and they share sly, knowing smiles with each other.
Pang .
Then Anna’s ass as Toby carries her over his shoulder off the plane, her laughter trailing them.
Pang .
Leo talking to Peach over his shoulder with a friendly grin. The rest of security piling out behind them.
Pang .
“C’mon,” I mutter under my breath, my pounding heart in my throat as I step closer to the stairs leading from the belly of the aircraft.
Please be alone. Please be alone.
My mouth moves like the words are a prayer.
Mac. Mac. Mac.
He’s here. Home. So close that I feel the ghost of a burn left behind by his stubble heating my pec. The way his curls capture my wandering fingers in their sleepy tangles. Hearing his puffing breath when he’s truly asleep …
Three days .
It’s not nearly enough time to convince him, to hold him. To be near him.
But I plan to use every second of it as if it’s the only chance I’ll get.
If he’d just get off the damn airplane.
C’mon. C’mon.
Something bright explodes in my chest when he finally, finally , ducks through the opening into the midday sun, his searching eyes landing on me.
Two things happen at once and both have my heart leaping to my throat.
First, I register the black eye.
And second …
He blanches.
Then a third that absolutely blindsides me.
He steps back when I advance.
“Mac …”