“I was,” Zane said, too loud, and Ty glanced around. Zane stopped and gritted his teeth before continuing, his voice lowered again, “I was. And then I woke up.”
Ty met his eyes with difficulty. Even with the fear Zane could see, Ty was more rested and pulled together than he had been five days ago, when he’d resembled a train going off the rails. He looked so much more like himself. Zane recognized just how stressed Ty must have been before taking off, and he could see that wherever Ty had been, it had helped.
“When I left that morning I intended to be back that night. Or at least the next morning. I swear, Zane, if I’d known I’d be gone this long I would have tried to stick it out.” Ty waited a few breaths and then added, “I’m sorry.”
It didn’t help Zane feel any better about the situation, especially when Ty’s sincere remorse highlighted how he was acting like a stereotypical jilted lover. Jealous, demanding, cranky. Zane grimaced. It just wasn’t fair that he had been the one left behind and yet he still looked like the ass**le. “There’s no way I’m going to come out of this looking good.”
Ty grabbed his arm as Zane turned away, stepping in front of him to face him. “What do you care if you come out of it looking good? The only person seeing you is me, and I know what I did was shitty. What do you care if we fight in front of a bunch of strangers who’ll never see us again? I know you’re angry, Zane. Show it. Just get it out so it doesn’t sit inside you and blow up later.”
Zane looked into his eyes and saw the near desperation there, and suddenly he could see the core of what had been bothering Ty. Neither of them had ever felt comfortable showing what they were feeling. For the first time, Zane could see just how badly Ty needed that. But Zane was too close to losing his temper as he stood there and looked into Ty’s eyes. “What do you want me to say?” The words came out graveled and curt.
Ty put both hands out, palms up. “I don’t know, bitch at me? Tell me it’s okay? Say something. I’m damn near groveling, here, Zane.”
“You scared me, Ty. Scared me,” Zane snapped back, loud enough that people started glancing at them.
“I know,” Ty said, still calm. “I’m sorry I scared you. I’m sorry I bolted without saying anything to you. I’m sorry I left when you needed me. If I could go back, I’d do it differently. But I’m not sorry for going. You and I both know I needed it. And somewhere in there, you know I needed to do it alone.”
“I wouldn’t have stopped you,” Zane said in a more controlled tone.
“I know, Zane.”
“Then why the hell didn’t you wake me?”
“I was afraid… I was afraid if I woke you and looked into your eyes I wouldn’t be able to go. And I had to go, Zane, I had to.”
Zane sighed. The anger was melting away, even after almost a week of percolating. Zane wanted to resent Ty for being so easy to forgive. He had expected to be hit with Ty’s charm, not this disarming sincerity. Even though fear and worry remained, they were blunted by the desperately happy part of him that just wanted Ty with him, no matter what. And he was glad to see Ty looking healthy again.
Ty nodded. “You’re understandably pissed.”
“You’re damn right I am.”
“Why don’t we go get your bags, take a cab ride to my hotel, and you can take it out on me there?”
“Take it out on you. As opposed to what, the world?” Zane asked as he turned and started to walk through the breezeway.
Zane heard his partner sigh, but Ty kept his mouth shut as they walked.
Zane suspected he was overreacting, and he tried to swallow the anger. This wasn’t how he’d wanted to see Ty again. He was not supposed to be angry and hurt and Ty all understanding and apologetic, making him feel like a caveman for being upset.
After checking the directory sign outside baggage claim, Zane found the baggage conveyor for his flight and stood waiting for his black leather duffel to scroll past. Ty stood at his side, silent and close. Zane could feel him. He took a steadying breath and turned to look at Ty.
He was watching Zane, eyebrows raised.
Zane sniffed in annoyance. “Still upset,” he muttered, the words almost lost under the shuffling sound of people moving around them. But he sighed and relaxed a little; just being able to see Ty and feel the bundle of energy that was his partner allowed that.
Ty gave him another serene, amused smile. He glanced over his shoulder, and then he stepped forward and took Zane’s elbow. Before Zane could do anything but draw a breath, Ty kissed him again, right there in the middle of baggage claim.
Zane grabbed his elbows, holding him still so he could deepen the kiss. To hell with whoever was watching. Ty felt so good in his arms, and he smelled like sandalwood, of all things. Zane didn’t care why Ty was suddenly so comfortable with the PDAs. He was going to take advantage while he could.
“Does it make you feel better to know I missed the hell out of you?” Ty whispered, lips moving against Zane’s. “And I hope you’re still just a little angry when we get to my hotel room.”
Zane let out a shuddering breath. “It’ll be more than just a little.”
Ty hummed, the sound deep and anticipatory. It was almost a purr. “Promise?”
Zane gripped Ty’s upper arms tight. “Absolutely.”
Ty smiled rakishly, damn him, and took a step back, looking Zane up and down before nodding at the conveyor belt. “There went your bag.”
Zane glanced around and had to dart after his duffel. When he pulled it off the belt and looked back at Ty in exasperation, Ty was still smiling.
“Come on. I’ll show you the hotel Dick ponied up for,” Ty said as he turned to head for the exits.
“You really have a hotel? But when do we move?”
“I don’t know.”
Zane slung the small bag over his shoulder and loped after Ty. “Why was Burns in such a hurry to get me here this morning if the meet isn’t set?”
“Probably because he knew I was here alone with nothing to do but something stupid. I’ve been stalking this guy for two days now,” Ty said as he dug around in his pockets, fussing with the heavy trench coat he wore. “Took me a full day just to get a whiff of him. Burns needed to give you time to get under. It’ll be this evening, so we’ll have time to buy you some new clothes, give you time to scruff yourself up. Maybe give me time to scruff you up.”