Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 132962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
“Hey, Mitch,” the TSA agent said. Cody watched as Mitch handed over his badge. He’d taken a couple of steps away, but he could still hear Mitch talking quietly with the guy, and they both looked in his direction at the same time. Mitch made his way over to Cody, he’d apparently gotten access to pass through the security checkpoint and began pulling the bins and placing his stuff on the conveyors.
“I thought this was goodbye,” Cody said, watching Mitch work.
“Shhhh, he’s doing me a favor. I’m going with you through security,” Mitch whispered, urging Cody to get moving. They were backing up the line. Cody complied, sliding off his boots as Mitch placed his carry-on on the belt.
“Step through the box, place your hands above you head.” Cody went through the motions of airport security. Mitch did too, and they came out the other side. Mitch hadn’t lied; he was a pro at the whole thing, never faltering where Cody, with his lack of travel skills, had to be guided through the processes.
“Over here.” Mitch motioned, Cody’s duffel hanging over his shoulder.
“Your gate’s all the way down there.” Mitch pointed to the right, again taking his hand, walking him in a different direction than he’d indicated. “I have to go out this way.”
Just to the right of security was a small hall with a door at the end. It wasn’t a crowded area like the rest of the airport, but they weren’t alone either. Mitch took several steps toward the door before stopping and turning, drawing Cody against him by a tug of the hips.
“Thank you for coming,” Mitch said, dropping Cody’s bag to the floor.
“You’ve already said that, and I had a good time. Thank you,” Cody replied.
“I’m gonna kiss you, cowboy.” Mitch’s amber eyes bore into his soul.
“But we did that in the car. There’re so many people.” Cody couldn’t look away.
“I can’t help it. I’m not sure when I’ll see you again.” Mitch moved in so close their chests touched.
“It’ll make people uncomfortable.” Cody pretended to protest, but Mitch was already moving forward.
“Just a small kiss,” Mitch whispered and leaned in, pressing his lips against Cody’s with a teasing swipe of his tongue. Cody couldn’t resist and opened slightly. When the tip of his tongue met the tip of Mitch’s, something happened. The entire busy airport faded away, and Cody opened fully for Mitch’s kiss. The kiss was intensely passionate and filled with promise. It took his breath away and reached out to capture Cody’s heart, right there in the airport terminal. This might have been the best goodbye kiss ever on the planet.
Desperation, more than the need to breathe, had Cody pulling away. He bit his bottom lip and just stared at Mitch.
“Hold my spot for me,” Mitch said, and again those dang eyes pinned Cody where he stood.
“I will,” he promised. Mitch leaned in again and kissed him with a soft brush of lips before he stepped away from the wall.
“You’re probably gonna have to jog to your gate. It’s a little bit of a hike. Remember, if you change your mind and wanna stay, I’m just a phone call away.” Mitch kissed his lips again.
“All right,” Cody nodded and scrubbed a hand over his face before picking up his duffel bag at Mitch’s feet. “All right.” He turned on his heel and took off to the left.
“Wrong way,” Mitch called out. Dammit! He had gone the wrong way. He turned around to see Mitch standing there, a huge smile on his handsome face. Cody waved and headed in the other direction. He had fifteen minutes to figure out where he was and get on that plane.
~~~
Mitch sat directly outside the airport arrival doors where he’d dropped Cody off. He found a park bench and kicked back, letting the heat of the sun warm his skin. He stayed like that for about thirty minutes. He kept his phone in his hand and waited just in case Cody changed his mind. Damn, he really hoped Cody changed his mind.
He’d be working long hours from now until they solved this case, and he got that Cody would be completely alone while he worked, but he had grown fond of the idea of coming home and having Cody waiting for him. And yes, he also got how silly that sounded, but he couldn’t care less.
When he figured enough time had passed and Cody hadn’t bailed on the flight, he let the disappointment settle in as hope faded away. He looked at his phone to assess the time. It was noon, and Kreed arrived at one fifteen. The two of them were to meet at the office with the rest of the team by two thirty. Mitch thought over his options. It was time for lunch. He loved food, but eating with all the stupid feelings of loss he had flipping through his stomach didn’t seem like a good idea.
Instead he picked up his phone and sent Cody a text he’d get once he landed. “You should have stayed. I miss you already. Text me and let me know you got home okay. This weekend was the best weekend that I’ve had in a very long time, thank you.”
Then he did something he never did, he voluntarily called his mom just to chat. On the third ring, he got a winded, “Is everything okay, Son?”
He winced. He supposed he deserved that kind of greeting, but he hated that when his mom saw his name, she worried.
“Of course everything’s fine. Can’t I just call and talk to the best mom ever?” There was a pause on his mother’s part, a long one, and Mitch laughed. “Mom, I’m fine. I realized that I haven’t talked to you since Jace and Colt’s wedding. How are you doing?” Mitch asked. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back, facing the sun.
“You’ve met someone special, haven’t you, Son?” That had him sitting forward, looking around. How did she know that?
“Nah, not really… I mean, maybe. I don’t know. How do you know? Am I that transparent?” Mitch stumbled on his words as he danced around the subject.