Chapter 14
Saylor focused on the class and capturing the shadows and sharp edges of the willowy co-ed who’d volunteered to model for the next class.
While she wanted to glare at the gorgeous model every time Max studied her pose, Saylor reminded herself that he was not lusting after the beautiful woman. At least he better not be!
Relax, baby girl.
After staring at the message on her phone for a second, Saylor glanced up to meet Max’s gaze.
Of course, he’d figured out she was struggling with him looking at another woman.
Saylor wanted to shake herself for being so insecure, but deep inside, she wasn’t sure that he could be as into her as she treasured their time together.
Her phone buzzed again. A red heart emoji showed up on her screen before it exploded into a hundred bouncing hearts that covered her screen. She looked up quickly, meeting his gaze again. He didn’t mean…
Max nodded and returned to his drawing. He shifted slightly, raising his sketchpad to let her see his artwork.
The image he’d captured was of her in the middle, with the model much smaller in the background.
He’d accomplished the assignment, but focused on her.
Her gaze jumped back to him, and Max gave her a slow wink.
Smiling, Saylor played it cool when she really wanted to get up and dance around the desk where she sat. Maybe go sit on his lap. Leave it to her daddy to understand how her mind worked. He took such amazing care of her.
After staying home with her for a couple of days while she recovered and the university was closed, Max had sternly enforced naptimes, hydration, and rest. The medicine had helped quickly.
Within those first forty-eight hours, she’d recovered most of her energy and voice. Zale was an excellent medic.
The sound of keys rattling pulled Saylor from her thoughts. She looked up to see Max standing next to her desk. “Koa is picking me up outside. We’re headed out. Walk with me?”
“No one leaves the room during class, so we don’t expose the model,” Saylor said, thinking fast. “If you don’t mind heading through the storeroom, I can let you out that way.”
Max nodded.
“Class. Max has an emergency and has to leave. He’ll go out the side door so we don’t open the classroom door into the hall. Chantal, I’ll make sure no one looks in.”
The model nodded appreciatively, relaxing back into her pose. “Be safe, Max,” Chantal called.
Everyone else in the room echoed that sentiment as Max led the way to the private door. Saylor slid inside first and made sure the coast was clear in the storeroom before waving Max inside to join her. Max pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard.
“Sorry, baby. This one will go for sure. Finish your medicine. Every single dose!”
She nodded, unable to think about that now. “I don’t want you to go.”
“I know, baby. I’ve got every reason to come back home.
The entire team does. We’ll make sure everyone is safe.
I love you,” he said and kissed her fiercely once again.
“Be good. I’ll use the door code on the truck to grab my go-bag.
Use my vehicle to get home and for anything else you need.
We haven’t talked about this, but I want you to move in permanently with me.
I need to know you’re safe in my bed each night.
Think about that while I’m gone.” With that direction, he kissed her one last time and left through the door to the hallway.
Home. She knew in that instant that her condo was no longer the place she wanted to be.
She’d stay at Max’s place until he returned and hopefully long after that.
Staring at the door where he’d disappeared, Saylor tried to gather herself.
Her heart had left with him. She should have told him she loved him, too.
She returned to the class, blinking away the tears that filled her eyes. The rest of the students couldn’t know she was involved with Max. His keys and backpack sat on her desk. She picked up the keys and tucked them in her pocket, glad to have something of his.
The last twenty minutes of the class working time flew by.
When Chantal stood and redressed, Saylor addressed the class, providing the model with a distraction.
“Hey, everyone! We missed a class period last week. The university doesn’t extend the semester, of course.
I wanted to offer everyone an opportunity to get that practice and share more information about perspective.
How many of you would be interested in a class on Sunday afternoon at three p.m.? ”
All the hands rose. Saylor smiled. The class had eagerly attended each session and participated. She enjoyed teaching dedicated students and would be glad to give up part of a Sunday afternoon to share knowledge with them. “Looks like we have a plan. I’ll see you this weekend.”
“Thanks, Saylor!” several students called as they gathered their things.
“Is Max okay?” Sara called.
“I bet he was deployed,” a male student suggested. “I heard his phone go off.”
“Send safe thoughts to all our soldiers,” Saylor suggested, neither confirming nor denying the suggestion. She didn’t know how secretive she needed to be.
“In my prayers,” Sara answered.
When the room had emptied and Saylor had gathered her things, she slung Max’s backpack over her shoulder and headed out to his truck.
Saylor pushed away her discomfort in walking alone in the dark.
Lots of students still roamed around campus, putting her slightly at ease.
She wasn’t the only one in the parking lot.
When she got to the truck, Saylor quickly slid inside and breathed a sigh of relief. She’d made it. After adjusting all the mirrors, Saylor started the large vehicle. Driving this tank was going to be an experience.
She backed out carefully. Thank goodness for the cameras around the truck to guide her.
The vantage point of being higher in the seat helped her see things more clearly.
Combining that enhanced view with the room in the cab helped Saylor understand why Max drove a truck.
If she didn’t have to park the massive vehicle, she might choose to drive it again.
A blaring honk convinced her not to take the truck out again. She adjusted her steering to make sure she was in her lane and drove home carefully. She definitely didn’t want to get a scratch, or worse.
When she made it home, Saylor parked the truck in the driveway.
She’d maneuver the big vehicle in the garage tomorrow.
Carrying their things inside the quiet house, Saylor sat down on the couch and allowed herself to cry.
She’d held herself together throughout the rest of class and on the way home.
Finally alone, she surrendered to her sadness.
The buzzing of her phone made Saylor pull herself together. She wiped away the tears and checked the screen. Could he need a ride home?
Aspen’s name showed on the screen. She clicked the accept button on the video chat. “Hi!”
“Hey! Daddy told me the Littles have to wait until after this weekend to get together so we all get enough rest to recover. Want to come here for a sleepover on Monday?”
Thinking quickly of her schedule, Saylor said, “I have to teach a class Tuesday at ten. Is that too early for everyone? I don’t want to wake everyone up if people like to sleep in.”
“No, that’s fine. Giana wakes up early most mornings. Brooklyn, Pippa, and I won’t mind getting up by eight or nine. Maybe you could leave from here and sleep in a bit?” Aspen suggested.
“Definitely, that’s a good idea. Thank you, Aspen. I needed something to look forward to this week. Do you think they’ll be home by then?”
“Probably not. Keep hoping, though. We might get lucky again.” Aspen looked at Saylor for a moment and asked softly, “Are you okay?”
“No,” Saylor answered honestly. “I miss him so much.”
Aspen nodded slowly. “I miss my daddy too. We all do. We have video calls a lot during their deployments. Usually around seven-thirty because we all have to be in bed at eight. Did Max give you a bedtime?”
“Eight, unless I have an evening class. Then it’s as soon as I can shower and jump in bed.”
“We’ll loop you in on our calls then. Today’s Thursday. Do you have any other evening classes?” Aspen asked.
“Not this semester. Hey, it’s nine now. Aren’t you supposed to be in bed?”
“Shhh! That’s why I’m the only one on the call. Don’t tell on me.”
“Never!” Saylor promised.
“You’re a good friend. Go take a shower and wash those tears away. Think of all the hot sex you’ll have with Max when he gets back.”
“Oh! I hadn’t thought of that. Thank you for calling. You helped me.”
“We’re a team, just like the guys. Sleep well, Saylor.”
“Pet Rexy for me. Dream well!”
Saylor stared at the blank screen. She didn’t understand why Aspen’s phone call had helped so much, but she didn’t feel alone now.
And Monday, they could have another sleepover.
She realized they could have another sleepover any time.
The guys were gone and wouldn’t know. But that felt so wrong. She wanted to be good for Max.
Roaming around the house, Saylor closed the blinds and made sure the doors were locked. She couldn’t bring herself to turn out the light in the family room. Perhaps her daddy would come home early again. She didn’t want him to walk into a dark house.
After showering, she pulled on Max’s T-shirt that she slept in. Well, that she had gotten used to wearing to bed. When she felt good, that shirt ended up on the floor quickly. She’d hoped to convince him to make love to her tonight.
The bottle of antibiotics sat on the nightstand. Saylor shook one out into her hand. The suppository looked huge in her palm. Could she get it placed in her bottom? Coating her finger with lubricant, she did her best. Her daddy sure made that look a lot easier. A lot more enjoyable, too.
Washing her hands, Saylor headed into the bedroom and climbed up on the mattress. The sheets were cool, making her shiver. Missing Max, she scooted over to stretch out in his spot and buried her face in his pillow. She pulled her stuffed octopus into her arms and kissed his cheerful face.
“I’m sure glad you’re here, Tapper. I wish you could tell me a night-night story.”
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Saylor rolled over to her side to grab it. Her daddy had sent her a voicemail.
“I love you, baby. Be good. Take your medicine. I’ll miss you.”
Saylor didn’t answer, figuring he wouldn’t be able to access it. She listened to his message a dozen times before replacing her phone on the charger.
“Night, Daddy. Come home safely.”