Hearts Under Fire (27 page)

“I can see you in the front room, working. And making dinner on the stove. And we’ll sit outside in the morning sunshine to drink coffee. You’ll grow things, and I’ll remember to water them sometimes. We can throw a Christmas party and invite the entirety of your police family without worrying about where they’ll all fit.” Clark kissed Daniel again. “Anything for you, Daniel. Anything for
us
.”

Daniel stared at Clark, eyes searching. “You really do mean it for us? It’s not... I feel so helpless in all this, but you don’t mean to make me weak at all, you’re just giving me your strength, the way I give to you when you have a nightmare or when you give me control for a scene.”

“Sooner or later, you’ll realize that when I say ‘I love you,’ I mean that everything I have is yours. And I give it gladly.”

Daniel sighed. “Someday I’ll believe that, and sometimes I even know why, but other days...”

“I know,” Clark said. “I need to see one more thing. Come with me?”

“Okay.” Daniel hung onto Clark’s hand for dear life. Clark brought Daniel’s knuckles to his lips before heading back to the landing. He climbed the final set of stairs, went down a hallway, and stepped into the master bedroom. He swept Daniel around to stand in front of him, pulling the professor close and resting his chin on Daniel’s shoulder.

“I wanted to see where we’ll sleep at night,” Clark said, brushing his lips over Daniel’s neck.

“You really don’t fight fair, do you, Sergeant?” Daniel pulled Clark’s arms around him. Clark made a quiet noise of mock innocence, and after a moment, Daniel continued, “This room is beautiful. Plenty of room for all our things, and I’d be able to get rid of my sagging mattress. Us... sitting here... reading before bed...” Daniel huffed an aggrieved laugh. “Now you have me helping.”

Clark laughed, thinking of iron wills and pride and how best to melt them. He considered how far he’d come with Daniel. Because of this man and thanks to him, Clark knew how to be truer to himself and how to be happier for it without guilt or recrimination.

“New bed for us,” Clark said, lowering his voice. “Something with posts. And sturdy.” Clark grinned against Daniel’s cheek. “Maybe right over there?” He pointed to the long wall. “Looks like the perfect place to lean me back, tie me down, and make me beg... Sir.”

Clark was close enough to see Daniel’s eyes close. Daniel pulled in a long, slow breath as his body tightened, and his hands gripped Clark’s harder. “Oh, Lord, Clark.” Daniel sighed. “I don’t even know why I’m fighting anymore, or what or whom. Maybe just myself. But I’m going to have to at least take on some computer contract work, even if it isn’t going to pay for any of this. I’ll feel better if I can help refill the coffers after this thing empties them.”

“If it makes you feel better, and doesn’t put too much strain on you, or interfere with helping me try out all the equipment you have in your warehouse, then sure.”

“
All
the equipment...” Daniel shook his head and laughed. “And here I’d been thinking about filling the time I used to serve clients with work.” Daniel turned in Clark’s arms, their eyes meeting. “For most people, money is power, you know? But you don’t work that way.”

“Deduction confirmed, Professor,” Clark said with a tender smile. “You’re right. I do this because it makes you happy. And I could die a happy man watching you figure out where to put the stocks and the tomato plants in our new home.”

Reaching up to touch Clark’s dimple, Daniel said in wonder, “That’s still new to me. But the idea of making you happy by puttering about with my tomatoes as you waited for me in steel stocks could grow on me with time.”

“Well, so long as we have a strategy,” Clark murmured.

The professor heaved a sigh. “Right. Okay. Let’s do this, then. I have to admit that part of me hates making Robert happy, but at least we made him earn his commission.”

Clark rolled eyes heavenward, picked Daniel up, kissed him quickly, and set him down. “I refuse to be anything but thrilled,” Clark said, spinning them around. “Home.”

Daniel laughed, closed his eyes, and held onto Clark. “Yes, this is now home.”

“I meant you,” Clark said, and kissed Daniel soundly until he had to break away to breathe.

Daniel gave Clark a crooked grin. “Well, come on then. Let’s go.”