Spending more than two days with Rhys is a whole new ball game. One where I get more sleep. I know for a fact that I eat healthier. I’m feeling less stressed, and my body aches in very delicious ways. The routine we have on the weekends that he’s here rolls right into every day, seamlessly. Now more than ever I can see us doing this life together.
Rhys’ forgiveness plays on loop in my mind, and I think deep down, I can forgive myself too. I owe it to both of us. And when Saturday night rolls around, I’m ready to take him up on his offer to come to his place – live in his world for a little bit too.
“So, you’re really going to do it? You’re going to go stay at his place for a week?” Zoey asks me over the phone while I pack the rest of our bags for the next eight days.
I think this will be the real test as to how things are going to go, especially if I’m moving into Rhys’ space. That’s a really big if. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.
“I’m thinking of it as a vacation. Or maybe a trial run for real life?”
“Kelsey, real life? Seriously. It doesn’t get more real than having a baby with someone.”
“Whatever. Are you still good to come by and check on the place while I’m gone?”
“Yes, woman. I’ll come by and check on the place. What time are you dropping my puppy off?”
Rhys wanted to bring Lucy with us, but I felt like it was too much. Zoey’s all too eager to keep her for me. Both, my children love Zoey – the furry one especially. “After breakfast. He’s got to work Sunday night, so he wants to get back to his place and help us settle in beforehand.”
“Ooooo, girl, you’re going to get to see him dress up in that sexy as fuck uniform every day. I’m already jealous! Maybe he can, you know, call for back up and have Smitty visit. So, you can snap a picture for me to drool over!”
Horny. Teenaged. Boy. That’s Zoey.
“No thanks. Smitty doesn’t really do it for me. I prefer my men much taller.”
Rhys would choose that moment to step into the bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. “You two seriously better not be talking about Smitty again.”
“I wasn’t!” I mock offense. “Zoey. I’ve got to go.” I tell her quickly and end the call with her giggling in the background as Rhys stalks toward me. “She’s got it bad.”
“I do too,” he teases.
“I knew it! I knew you had a thing for Smitty! That’s pretty hot come to think of it.”
“Really, Kelsey?”
“Hey, he’s not really my type, but there’s no denying that he’s a good-looking bloke,” I giggle as I back around the side of the bed and away from Rhys. Just before he reaches for me, I jump up on the bed and stand in the middle of it.
“You’re standing on the bed like a child.”
“That’s a great observation. Why, yes I am.”
Rhys shakes his head. “Okay well, while you jump on the bed like a five-year-old, I’m going to get dressed for bed. Is all your shit packed for tomorrow?” He asks as he nonchalantly drops his towel.
I’m pretty sure I heard him ask a question, but I don’t remember what it was now. I’m too busy staring at his hard frame, the way his muscles flex as he moves around the room like a Greek god.
Yep, it’s getting hot in here.
There’s absolutely no shame as I let out a frustrated groan when he covers his gorgeous skin with his boxers.
“Do you plan to get some sleep or are you gonna stand on the bed all night?” he looks up at me.
“Sleep? What’s sleep?” Not thinking, because – duh sexy Rhys standing in front of me in gray Calvin Klein’s, I plop down on my ass. And squeal when the bed makes a loud noise that slightly resembles wood snapping. “Well, that’s not how I imagined breaking the bed. In my mind, it was much sexier.”
Rhys looks dumbfounded and Lucy comes running in the room with a growl which only makes me burst out laughing.
“One less thing to move, I guess,” Rhys finally says. “I can’t believe you broke your bed.”
“You’re kidding, right? This is me we’re talking about?”
“Fair point, well made. Now, get up so I can try to fix this, so we have something to sleep on tonight.”
He offers his hands and helps pull me off the broken bed.
We spend the next half hour moving the mattress, box spring and taking the broken pieces out to the garage. Once we’ve got the frame gone, we situation the box spring flat on the floor and the mattress on top of it before collapsing into a heap, together.
“No more monkeys, jumping on the bed,” Rhys says as he wraps his arm around my waist and settles in. “Goodnight.”
“Uhm yeah, night.” I smile to myself. “Love you.”
“I love you too,” he gives me a gentle kiss on the back of my neck, and we both peacefully drift off.
* * *
Rhys’ condo is spotless when we walk in the door. I expected a bachelor pad that looks a hot mess because guys usually don’t give a damn. It’s the complete opposite. I’m not sure that I’m surprised though. This place is very Rhys.
Oversized flat screen TV, game system, huge Superman painting on the wall, but not an ounce of paint. A leather couch sits in the in the middle of the room of with a coffee table and a recliner. It’s all open space in the main area, I can see into the kitchen which is immaculate, and he has a small dining room table with just four chairs.
“Bedrooms are down that hall,” Rhys nods in the general direction as he brings in the last bag and Reid’s playpen. “The second room is pretty empty.”
I trail behind him with Reid in my arms. He drops the playpen and my suitcase in his room. This room is decorated in grays and blues. He has a king size four post bed, and I’m not even going to lie, I can imagine myself cuffed to the middle of it.
“Make yourself at home,” he turns around and looks at me.
“I’m on to you Rhys, you’re not fooling anyone.” I tease.
He gives me his trademark smirk, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. We just got here. I haven’t done anything.”
“Yet, but I bet you have some wicked plan to keep me here. Don’t you?” I eye him suspiciously.
“I don’t need a plan. My irresistible charm is all I need,” he kisses my lips. “I’m going to iron my work uniform and get my shit together for tonight. I’ll need to run to the grocery store too so I can grab food.”
“Mmm, you know how to use an iron. Damn.”
Rhys laughs. “I’m quite domesticated. And easy to live with,” he slides in the last part with a wink before he disappears into what I assume is his walk-in closet. “Kels, you ever shot a gun before?”
His question startles me for a second but, hello – its Rhys….hot cop.
“Uh, no.”
“Before you go home, I’ll take you to the range. If you’re going to live in a house with one, you need to know how to use it.”
I swallow hard and think about it. He’s not wrong. I never considered the fact that there would be a weapon in my home though. “That’s not happening this time. Pretty sure we can’t take Reid with us.”
“Good point. But it will happen.”
“Uhm, Rhys,” I can’t hide the nervousness in my voice as another thought strikes me.
He walks out with his uniform in his hand and lays it on the bed. “Yeah.”
“Do you, you know, always have it on you?”
“Locked in a safe in my car when I’m in your house. On my person otherwise, yeah.”
“Oh, uhm.” I’m so stupid. Of course, he’s had a gun on him or with him.
“It’s part of the job. Here, it’s locked in a safe too. When I walk out that door, it’s on my body. Concealed if I’m off duty.” He watches me intently, waiting for my reaction that never comes.
Because I’m not sure how I feel right now. I’ve never so much as touched a gun. I trust Rhys, but I’m not sure how comfortable I am.
“Hey. It’s something you have to get used to. And since there will be one in our house, I’d feel better if you knew how to use it. You would probably feel more comfortable too if you knew how to handle one.”
“I….I don’t know.”
“Kels, I’m a cop, it’s what I do for a living. It’s not negotiable.”
I let out a huff. “I know, I’m crazy. It feels different, weird, I don’t know why it never crossed my mind before now.”
“I’d venture to guess the uniform and being in my world probably has something to do with it. What are you worried about, as far as my service weapon is concerned? Tell me. I can promise you it’s not as big of a concern as it feels for you.”
“Says the man who handles one every day.”
“Which is why I said, you should know how to handle one too. So that you’re comfortable. This isn’t something I take lightly. I know you know that. The safe is out of reach and childproof. Not that we have to worry about that right now, but I would never leave it somewhere accessible to anyone but me. Even when I’m the only one here. If it’s not on my body, it’s locked up.”
“So, you don’t sleep with it on your nightstand?” I ask mostly joking.
“Hell no. Never.”
“Okay, okay… I think I need a second. You iron your uniform. I’m not sure if I can handle watching that right now,” I tease.
He gives me another kiss, and I leave him to it while I make a bottle for Reid and try to get him to eat some pureed carrots too. We’re just finishing up, and I’m wiping him off when Rhys comes out to check on us.
“You want to come with me while I grab groceries? You’re more than welcome to stay here if you want to chill instead,” he offers, sweetly.
“I should go with you. So, I know where it is, in case I need anything and you’re not here.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’m ready when you are.”