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charger yesterday.”
    “Good.” She raised her head. “You worried
me.”
    “I’m here.” Sliding his hand up her back, he
urged her forward to meet his lips.
    Too soon, it would be morning and he’d have
to walk out the door again, but for now, she was in his arms where
she belonged. Every second was precious and painful. The week to
come might be harder to bear after this brief sweetness, but how
could he resist? He wanted it all—the best job in the world and the love of his life.
    Morning …
    Shifting under her, he tried again to get her
to let him up. “Bethie-love, I have to leave.
    She nuzzled into the crook of his neck and
mumbled, “Just five more minutes.”
    He looked at his watch. “Gave you those ten
minutes ago. Up.”
    “Don’t wanna.”
    He rolled them over on her brother’s deep
sofa. “Gonna miss my flight if I don’t get up now.” Standing, he
tossed the blanket back over her. It was barely sunrise and cold in
the living room.
    It was too late to take a shower, so he
grabbed a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant along with clean
clothes to take to the bathroom. His appearance didn’t matter until
he got on stage later tonight, but the lads would give him a bunch
of guff if he stunk on the plane. She was watching him, but he
didn’t dare turn around. The car would pick him up in ten
minutes.
    ****
    This was too early even for me, but since I
wouldn’t have him home for a week, I took in the living picture of
him gathering his clothes and toiletries and walking down the hall.
His scent floated up from the pillow, a mix of shampoo, cologne,
and essential Jacob, the recipe not changing much since he was
sixteen.
    Feeling needier than I wanted to be, I got up
and tapped twice on the bathroom door with one finger. He opened it
and I wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his neck.
“Just one more week,” he whispered in my ear.
    I nodded, rubbing the sides of our faces
together, then lifted my head, and our lips met. Stubble chafed my
face, but I didn’t care. We almost never did chaste kisses and this
was no exception.
    He set me on the counter.
    I wrapped my legs around his hips.
    He hadn’t put on a shirt, yet, so my hands
were exploring all that yummy skin while it was in reach. Built so
beautifully, my love, with broad shoulders and defined muscles
everywhere I could touch. He tilted his head to deepen the kiss,
his tongue teasing my mouth. It felt so good to be in his arms
again.
    A baby cried. My niece Sarah.
    I froze, then Jacob did.
    We heard doors open and close, then Darcy’s
voice through the wall, soothing her daughter. I slid off the
counter, but not out of his arms. Babies…it’s like they know.
    His chest started to shake. Glancing up, I
realized he was laughing. Stop it , I mouthed. He grinned and
wiggled his fingers under my ribs, making me muffle a squeak in his
breastbone that would give us away. I reached for the door. He
nipped my neck, then let me go. After peeking into the hallway, I
escaped to the kitchen.
    After nearly two months without my boyfriend,
one day wasn’t enough, even if he did make it for Christmas. This
tour had definitely put a crimp in the progress of our developing
relationship.
    The coffee pot was still half full from last
night, so I poured a mug and set it in the microwave for Jacob,
then re-buttoned the top two buttons of my pajama top. Sneaky
hands—we weren’t kissing that long. The timer chimed and he
walked into the kitchen dressed in layers.
    Taking the mug from me, he said, “Thanks.
You’re a Godsend.”
    “Do you have time for breakfast?”
    He shook his head. “I’ll eat on the
plane.”
    “Where’s the next gig?”
    “Vancouver. Come with me.”
    “To the airport? I’m not dressed.” Unable to
leave a mess for my sister-in-law, I walked to the sofa to fold the
blanket.
    “On the plane.” His toiletry kit and the
clothes he slept in went in his suitcase.
    “Jacob, I can’t just drop everything. Dad
paid