Physically he was fine.
Mentally?
He was done. He was fried, stretched too thin and pulled in multiple directions with nothing left to give.
An emergency in Houston had blindsided him atdawn. A fire in their new retail development had broken out. They had said it was an electrical issue. An accident. Thankfully, there were no casualties, only property damage. There was going to be time lost, millions paused, and his company’s reputation questioned. He’d taken a private flight to Houston. Early that day, he’d stood beside scorched beams, met with shaken workers, and even hugged the project manager who had been racked with guilt.
Vic even had to stand in front of the cameras to offer assurance to the city, and to promise to rebuild what was damaged. This project was needed in this specific area of Houston. It promised jobs and city growth.
Hours later, he’d flown back to Cleveland.
Two flights. One hell of a day.
But none of it would keep him from showing up at Tachina’s.
Because tonight wasthenight.
He pulled into her driveway and parked. The porch light basked the porch in a cozy yellow glow. Her house was a welcome sight. It was like stepping toward a place his body recognized before his mind could make out where they were.
Home.
He grabbed his bag from the back seat and walked to the house. He didn’t even knock. She’d given him a key, so he let himself in. He dropped his bag on the bottom stair and headed into the kitchen where hefigured she’d be. Low music filtered through from the kitchen. He paused in the doorway. She turned from the island. Her hair was pulled back away from her face with a headband, while she was dressed in a cotton nightgown that showcased her curves and stopped at her knees.
He forgot he was tired.
Hell, the world that existed outside of this home was lost to him at the moment.
“Hey,” she whispered. Her voice was warm, and worry crossed her face as she studied him.
He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. He crossed the room, cupped her jaw, and kissed her. Her hands slid up his shoulders as her body melted against his.
God, he needed this.
Needed her softness, her scent, and the safety of her arms around him. She brought him peace.
When they separated, she brushed her fingers gently over the back of his neck. Her brown eyes were filled with understanding.
“Rough day?” she asked.
“It was a damn disaster after disaster,” he muttered. He rested his forehead on hers.
She listened as he told her about Houston, the workers, having to get on camera, and the delays on this new project. There was no panic from her, no suggestions of what he needed to do to clear the air regarding the issue this couldpresent, no frustration, no criticism of how he’d handled the situation.
Just sympathy and an ear to vent to.
“I’m sorry,” she said. Her thumb caressed his cheek. She kissed his lips. “I’m glad you’re back home.”
He hadn’t realized how much he needed to hear those words. He swallowed hard, unable to respond. Instead, he nodded. He lifted his head and looked around. It was just the two of them in the kitchen, and he didn’t hear Kian.
“Where’s Kian?”
“Upstairs supposedly taking a bath. He didn’t want any help. You know now that he’s five, he can do it himself.” She chuckled. “Want to go check on him while I finish up cleaning the kitchen?”
That question almost knocked him on his ass. This made it seem all too real. Him, coming home after a long day’s work. Her listening to his problems, then they worked together to prepare their home for bedtime.
This was the normalcy he craved.
“Yeah. I got him.” He pressed another hard kiss to her lips before backing away. He had to take her all in one last time. He spun on his heels and jogged upstairs. If he had stayed another moment longer, there was no telling what would happen. He was sure it would have something to do with the island, her spread out on it, and him devouring her.