*
Ture froze as he glanced at the monitor and caught the unguarded expression on Mari’s face. For a full minute, he couldn’t move for it. No one had ever looked at him like that.
Like he was the air Maris breathed.
I feel the same way about you, baby.
And the last thing he wanted was to be here tonight without him. He missed being with Maris more than he would have ever thought possible. Even though he could see Maris on the monitor, it wasn’t the same as stealing a quick kiss from him as he passed by. Of Maris walking up behind him for a drive-by hug while Ture held a spoon out for Maris to taste what he was working on...
Love you, he mouthed at the screen.
You, too, Maris mouthed back.
“Ture?”
He turned at Ana’s voice. “Yes, sweetie?”
“Can I lay T in your office while he naps?”
“Of course. I had a small crib put in there yesterday for him.” Since she’d been running things for him again while he stayed with Maris, he’d thought it the best way to make her and the baby more comfortable.
She gaped at him. “Did you really?”
“Of course. Least I could do for my boyfriend’s son.”
Laughing, she rolled her eyes. “Remind me later that I have the custody papers for Maris to sign in my diaper bag. They came in today and you can take them up to the hospital later.”
“Will do, sweetie.” He turned back to Maris. “You’re about to be childless again, hon.”
Maris pouted. “Tell Ana I still want visitation rights to my boy.”
“I’m sure she’ll let us babysit.” Ture paused as he saw Maris bite back a yawn. “Are you tired?”
“I’m good.”
He narrowed his gaze on him. “Turn it off and go to sleep. I’ll be back as soon as we close.”
The reluctance in those dark eyes touched him deeply. “I’d rather stay with you.”
“As would I, but I don’t think you want everyone to know what a loud Snore-a-saurus you are.”
Maris laughed. “I don’t snore. You do.”
“Hmm-mmm, go on and believe the lies you tell.”
“Fine. I’m going. I’ll see you later, sweetie.”
Ture blew him a kiss before he shut the feed off. But as he did so, a wave of tears choked him as he felt Maris’s absence like a physical ache. It’s just a few more hours. He’d lived most of his life without Maris in it. So why was this so hard now? In the past, he’d been eager to have time alone. While he’d enjoyed his time with his boyfriends, he’d also needed time to himself every so often.
He never felt that with Mari. The more he was with him, the more he had no desire to be alone. Ever. He wanted to share everything with Maris.
It made no sense, but he couldn’t deny what was in his heart.
Trying to put it out of his mind, he forced his thoughts to cooking and running his restaurant.
*
“Is he still asleep?”
Ana nodded as she rejoined Ture at the sink. “I just checked to make sure he was breathing. He’s never napped this long before. But he seems fine. Granted, it’s weird and unnerving.”
“Guess he was tired.” He finished rinsing out the sink. “Did you get the orders entered?”
“All done. You?”
He wiped his hands on his towel then pulled his apron off. “Done. Finally.”
“Then I’ll go get Terek and we can call it a night.” She took a step away from him and froze.
Ture opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, but the words choked him as he saw three uniformed League assassins with his brother.
Bristol tsked at him. “I finally realized why your current boyfriend looked so familiar to me, and why neither of you would tell me his name... Maris Sulle. He must be able to suck the plating off a starship for you to not give him up for the credits his ass is worth.”
Dread tore through Ture at those words and what his brother had obviously done. “Tell me you didn’t.”
“I did, and you should have given me the money I asked for, Ture. It would have saved us both a lot of trouble.”
CHAPTER 12
Maris jerked awake in his bed. “Ture?”
“Darling.”
He turned to see Darling sitting in the chair Ture often slept in. “What time is it?”
“Just after one.”
He went cold with that answer. “Where’s Ture?”
“Is he supposed to be here?”
“Yeah. He was coming over after closing. He should have been here hours ago.” Maris started to climb out of bed, but Darling caught him.
“Don’t panic. Call him.” Darling handed him his link.
Maris made the call.
There was no answer. His breathing ragged, he met Darling’s worried gaze as he tried to call Anachelle who’d been closing with Ture.
Again, no one picked up.
His panic grew even more. “He wouldn’t have gone home, Dar. And even if he had, he would have answered my call.”