She heard him utter something underneath his breath, like “We need a day alone,” then he glances over at the car door opening from the outside.
“Welcome back,” a woman in uniform bows graciously. “Oh, and please watch your step.”
Rose follows his lead. The two are professionals at dodging cameras. They both grew up in the spotlight. By now it should have felt the same to her. But no, something is different about this time. Something that flourishs much deeper than rumors about pregnancies or breakups. This is about a life or death situation. This is about politics.
Hell, this is about war.
Rose holds a freckled arm up to her face, while Samuel speaks words of irritation. When they finally reach the inside of the building, she feels his hand slip from hers.
“Can we straighten this all out tomorrow?” he says, warding everyone off. “We can’t do this right now.”
“Of course, sir. You two must be exhausted.” Rose smiles weakly, still bothered by the sudden detachment of her husband. “We reserved a room just down the hall,” the commander slides a card key off the front desk and hands it to him.
“Thank you,” he says, motioning for Rose to follow behind.
As they both narrow down a rather tiny hallway, Rose watches the numbers climb up. The yellow bulbs illuminate off her husband’s hair. She can't take her eyes off his back.
Samuel twirls the key expertly between his fingers.
Seconds later they were inside, eyeing the small commentary bottle of wine, and a couple of wrapped chocolates resting on their pillows. Samuel hasn’t said anything, but moves to shut all the blinds around them. She stays back, slowly pulling the ones behind. “Are you angry?” her voice sounds concerned.
“No,” Samuel moves to snatch the chocolates from the bed and into the trash.
He couldn’t remember the last time Rose ate anything sweet. “I understand that you don’t want to travel tonight,” she stares at him untucking the sheets. “But Marabella,”
“I miss her,” he agrees, now advancing to his wife. “I missed you both,” his forehead is touching hers.
“But right now.” His lips are ghosting her cheek. “I need you,”
She leans further back into the window ledge. There was no need to whisper. He could have said everything he wanted to out loud. “Samuel,” her breaths are shallow. She was already caught off guard by his tone, but he continues. His hands working to undo his shirt. His beard pricking her cheek “I know,” she replies, clutching on to his arm that decided to roam beneath her dress.
He stops kissing her to look her in the eye, to see her heated expression. “Samuel,” she says slower.
“Hm?” he watches her chest inhale, then exhale. “Undress?” he says for her.
“Please,”