Chris was leaving for a long road trip. Paige would be out of town when he got back; and then another road trip had him leaving before she got back. They would be apart for more than two weeks.
He gently cupped her cheek with his hand, stroking her face with his thumb, and looking at her in a way that made her heart beat faster.
"Would you stay at my apartment a night or two before you leave?"
The request seemed oddly inconsistent with the way he was looking at her.
"Sure, honey. Are you worried about something?"
"No," he said, dipping his head down for a kiss. "I just want my bed to smell like you when I'm home for those two days." He rubbed his cheek along her face, burying his nose into her hair, and breathing in the scent of her. "Would you mind?"
"Not at all," she said, taking the opportunity to rub her face along his strong chest. "I love the way you smell, too. It reminds me of summer, even though you play on the ice all the time."
He chuckled, and sighed. "Anything that smells the least bit like vanilla makes me think of you now. It can be very distracting to walk around in a bakery." With a rough whisper, he added, "Everything about you feels like home, Paige." He pushed away with a quick glance at the clock. "I have to go, baby. I love you. See you as soon as we can manage."
"I love you, too, Chris. Safe travels."
They kissed one more time, and then he was off.
****
"Hey, baby. You leave tomorrow, right?"
"Hey, big guy. Yes, I do. But guess where I am right now." She rustled around to give him a hint.
His voice got quiet and rough, "Are you in my bed?" he growled softly.
"I am."
He held the phone a bit away from his mouth so that she only caught brief snippets of the string of low curses.