When Andi woke, she demanded a repeat performance. Boone happily obliged. And when they were both sticky with sweat and other things, he scooped her up and dragged her to the bath.
It started calmly enough, the two of them sitting in the overlarge tub as the warm water poured in. The first splash was an accident. She hadn't intended to start anything, but she'd been adjusting her position, and she'd moved her hand in such a way that water had splashed up and a few droplets had landed on Craig's face.
He had scowled, and she had started stammering an apology when the laugh had escaped. Before she knew it, it had devolved into the two of them splashing water at each other. And then he was lunging at her, and claiming her lips in a hungry kiss. She melted against him, reveling in the feeling of him letting go like t his.
"Andi," he said finally, as he let her go. "I'm a greedy bastard, and I'm sorry."
"What?" She blinked, confusion clear on her features as she tried to understand what he meant.
"It's-" he hesitated, "You could have so much better than me. A younger man. One who wasn't broken, one who could take care of you the way I won't always be able to. But... I'm too selfish. I want you for myself, and I'm not sure I can let you go, now that I've..."
"Craig," she said, his first name escaping her almost like a caress. "Don't be stupid. Nobody can take care of me the way you do. You are my partner, and I won't go out there without you.
"Besides," A teasing glint sparkled in her eyes. "You being aware of how amazing I am means that you'll never think you can do better and leave me."
"I would never leave you," he said with a ferociousness that made her shiver.
"Good," she said finally, hoping she'd kept the word light. "Now," Andi stood, and stepped out of the bath. "Let's get dressed and get going, there's a lot that we need to do."
She left, a little extra swing in her hips than was strictly necessary. She hoped he enjoyed.
-
Boone stood there for a few minutes after she left, his mind whirling. On the one hand, he knew he wasn't good enough for her, that he could never be good enough. That she could do better. But he wasn't sure he was strong enough to walk away and give her a chance to be with anyone else.
He knows he should feel bad about it, but she was just so... happy. He'd never seen her like that before, nearly glowing, a genuine smile upon her lips. It was because of him. Because he made her happy.
And Boone would follow her to hell and back if it would make her happy.
That cleared up in his head, he went to pack up.
After all, they had things to do.