“Excellent.”
Grumpy whined and licked my face frantically, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Why in the world is he so excited?”
“He hasn’t seen you for several days.”
“Neither have you, but you’re not whining and trying to crawl in my lap.”
He smirked. “I was gonna, but I decided to play it cool instead.”
“I see.” I set Grumpy down on the ground, and he began to run around the house at top speed, jumping on the couch and leaping down to scamper into the kitchen. “Why is he doing that?”
“He doesn’t know what to do with all his excitement.” Royce grinned, watching the puppy run. “I’m just hoping he doesn’t run into the wall.”
“Oh, dear. I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Hey.” Royce slipped his arm around my waist again and tugged me against him. “I missed you today, Max.”
“Did you?” My face felt hot at his intense gaze. “I… I missed you too.”
“Oh, yeah?”
I laughed awkwardly in response. Even after being a couple for a while, there was just something about Royce that always got my pulse racing. I didn’t remember ever feeling shy with any of the men back in LA. Was that because they hadn’t mattered to me at all?
“When did Girdy leave?” he asked.
“Just a few minutes ago. Todd cooked her dinner.”
“Awww.” Royce kissed the side of my neck, his breath hot against my skin. “Isn’t that sweet of him.”
“She thought so,” I mumbled, shivering at his delicate kisses. “Apparently, he doesn’t cook often.”
“Shall I cook us dinner?”
I grimaced. “But you just got home from work.”
“So?”
“So I should have cooked something.” I sighed. “But I was so darn sleepy. As you well know, I burn everything when I’m wide-awake.”
“I didn’t expect you to cook, Max.” He smiled down at me, his eyes crinkling. “Let’s order a pizza. Then neither of us has to cook.”
“Okay.”
He studied my face, lightly touching my cheek. “The bruising looks better today.”
“It doesn’t hurt as much either.” I dropped my gaze, feeling self-conscious. “How was work?”
“Long. Boring.” He sighed. “If you’re up to it, I need you to come to the station tomorrow morning and give your statement.”
“Of course.”
He smoothed his calloused hand along my jaw. “I took River’s statement today. Well, Deputy Juan did. I listened in.”
“I assume he confessed to everything?” I held my breath.
“Yep.”
I let that tense breath out slowly. “I’m glad to hear it since he’s guilty as hell.”
