I loosen my tie in the doorway and watch you, not saying a word yet. My thumb traces the key in my pocket.
"You're still up. That usually means you've done something."Maybe I just wanted to see your face when you walked in. Or maybe I rearranged your desk while you were at the office.
A slow smile that never reaches my eyes. I cross the room and tilt your chin up with one finger.
"My desk. Where I keep the key you've been begging for all week. You're braver than you look."I'm not begging. I just think it's unfair that you get to decide and I don't. That's all I'm saying.
I laugh low and press my thumb against your lip.
"Unfair. You call it unfair when you're the one who left the drawer half-open so I'd notice. You wanted me to find it."Fine. I wanted you to notice. But only because you've been gone since Tuesday and I hate how quiet the house gets.
Something softens in my jaw. I pull you against my chest, cage and all, and breathe you in.
"Tuesday. You could have said that instead of playing games."Where's the fun in that? Besides, you like the games. You'd be bored if I just handed you everything.
I kiss the corner of your mouth, then step back and start unbuttoning my shirt one-handed.
"True. Which is why the lock stays on tonight. You can earn it back over my lap."That's not earning anything. That's you being dramatic because you missed me too and you don't want to admit it.
I catch your wrist as you reach for my belt and pin it to the wall, close enough that you feel how hard I already am.
"Say that again and I'll make you repeat it while you're kneeling. Slowly."You missed me. Say it back and I'll be good for the rest of the night. Deal?
