One More Heartbeat

Overworked

He walks into the hotel room quietly, guilt washing over him as he catches sight of her stretched out on the bed, eyes shut, about to fall out. He slips off his shirt as he walks over, letting the black tee fall to the carpeted floor as he shifts her over slightly so she won’t hurt herself. He moves the black notebook out from under her cheek and places it on the bedside table. She mumbles incoherently, turning over in the bed and curling up in on herself as a breeze from the open window blows into the room. He smiles slightly as he places a pillow under her head, pulling the covers over her. He kisses her softly on the forehead before making his way to the bathroom.

“You still awake?” He whispers softly as he walks back into the room ten minutes later to find her slumped against the headboard, idly turning the pages of the book in her hand.

She looks up at the sound of his voice, letting the book fall to the floor. She pulls the satin covers tighter around her, sliding down even further as he makes his way over. “Obviously,” She mumbles as he sits down on the edge of the bed, making it slope slightly. He moves a piece of her hair out of her face.

“Why?” He chuckles a bit, absentmindedly running his fingers through her knotted hair, untangling it.

She turns to face him, eyes closed. “Why the hell not?” She sleepily snaps. When he doesn’t respond, she opens her eyes. There’s a patient smile on his face, amusement shining in his clear blue eyes. His hair is matted down from his shower, still damp enough that stray water droplets are making their way down his jaw line.

He shifts his weight to fully face her and she props her head up on her elbow in response. “Did you eat yet?” He asks her, pressing his palm against the curve of her waist. The cold touch of his fingers sends shivers up her spine.

She tries to stifle a yawn as she shakes her head. “No, I was waiting for you, and then I got caught up in my work,” She says, gesturing towards her laptop and notebook.

Regret clouds his face. “I’m sorry,” He whispers. “Do you want me to order something?” He starts to reach over her for the phone on the table, but she pulls his arm back.

“No, it’s late, and I’m not hungry anymore,” She says truthfully, realizing that he had apparently already eaten with the others. He bites his bottom lip as if he’s going to protest but doesn’t say anything.

He takes her hand and starts massaging her ink-stained fingers, lost in thought for a few moments. She stays quiet, fighting to stay awake and hide her fatigue. He studies her face in the dim light as if he was trying to memorize everything about that moment. The corner of her mouth turns up in a small smile as she catches him staring. He holds her gaze for a long moment before leaning down and kissing her softly, pulling away before she can deepen the kiss. He wraps an arm around her, pulling her closer. He pushes up the thin cotton of her tank top, his touch burning through her as if her skin was paper and his fingers flames.

“I’m sorry,” He whispers against her skin as he nuzzles her neck.

She sits up slightly, running her fingers through his dark curls. “For what?”

He shifts back, sitting up as well before drawing her even closer. She rests her head against his bare chest as he draws slow circles on her lower back. He sighs softly before kissing the top of her head. “This was supposed to be a vacation and we haven’t even spent five minutes together.”

She laughs slightly. “Since when are business trips vacations? Besides, it’s not your fault,” She says softly,  the touch of his hands as he tangles his fingers in her hair and the soft light of the room ruining her efforts to not fall asleep. “We’re together now, that’s all that matters, right?”

He lifts her chin up so he can see her face. Concern lines his own face as he trails his fingertips over the dark circles under her eyes. She had been hoping he wouldn’t notice them. “You’ve been working too hard, “ He states, moving his fingers down to her lips. She kisses them, warranting a small smile from him.

It fades away a moment later as she fails to stifle another yawn. “You need to sleep, love.“

She cuts in, trying to protest that she’s wide awake but he doesn’t buy it. “No, look at you.” He runs his fingers under her eyes again before kissing her.

He pulls her down until they are both lying down on the bed. He grabs the blanket from the side and tucks it around the pair. She gives up trying to convince him and snuggles closer to his warm body, using his arm as a pillow.

He switches the table lamp off. She moves even closer as darkness overtakes the room. He trails kisses from her shoulders to her lips, pushing up the blue tank top so he can trail his fingers over the tattoos he knows are on her ribcage.

“I love you,” He whispers against her skin, both of them far from tired now. She’s about to close the gap between their lips when the sound of a cell phone ringing cuts through the air.

They freeze up instantly. He’s the first to recover, shifting his weight so her body’s pinned under his. “You’re sleeping,” He states, going back to kissing her neck.

She feels herself relaxing for a brief moment before her phone rings again. He ignores it and runs his hand up and down her side but she turns her cheek when he tries to kiss her. “It must be important...”

He rolls his eyes and mumbles something she can’t hear under his breath before reaching over and grabbing her phone from the table. He hands it to her, watching as she glances at the caller id and swears.

She bites her lip, the backlight of the phone casting shadows on her face. He sighs softly as she kisses him apologetically, slipping out of bed, already hitting redial.

He turns over on his side as she paces the room, taking care of yet another work emergency. Eventually, his eyes fall shut, despite his efforts otherwise. He cradles a pillow to his chest as he sleeps.

Not for the first time, he wishes it was her instead.

~~~~~~~~~~~

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-nm Xx