I laugh and run my hand through my hair. “Yes, since you came along, they are. Everything I want is right here. You and Deaton. You know how much I love that kid.”
“The feeling is mutual, trust me. He loves you too.”
“I love the both of you,” I blurt before I can even think about stopping myself. It seems I’m on a one-track route straight to theI love you’s.Hopefully, she won’t run to the hilt. “I think a part of me always has.”
She looks up at me and our eyes meet, with that sweet, sexy smile on her face. “You love me, too?”
“Yes, Chels. I can’t believe I’m saying it, but there it is.”
“Brad, this might sound a bit, um, cliche, but I love you too.”
I make a noise somewhere between a laugh and a chuckle. “Phew for that.”
She laughs along with me, but quickly sobers. “It’s scary for me after my divorce and everything, but I can’t help the way I feel about you. I think this has been brewing for quite a while. And you get on so well with Deaton.”
I wasn’t expecting her to say it back, but, fuck, I’m so glad we’re on the same page. “He’s a great kid. And I know you come as a package deal, and it’s fine by me.”
She leans up again to meet me with her lips, and I can’t help myself when I groan into her mouth. Every fucking touch is like a jolt of electricity. Being here like this is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. “Thank you, Brad. I mean it, you do so much for us already. After my divorce, I just kinda lost hope, but you’ve always been there.”
“I know you’ve had it tough, babe. But I’ll never hurt you or Deat. Never.”
She nods against me. “I know.”
“You’ve done a stellar job of raising your son and building up your business all while being a single mom. I meant it when I said you’re amazing, in every way there is.”
“That’s so sweet,” she whispers. “Some days have been better than others, but I couldn’t do it without the support system I have. You, my parents, my friends. It takes a village.”
“And I want in to that village, more than you know.” In some ways, I know I’m already a small part of it.
“Are you sure you’re ready for that kind of thing? It’s a lot. We come with a lot; a package deal.”
I nod, strong in the knowledge of what I want, and it’s her. It’s always been her. I want to be a bigger part of her village, in every possible way. “I’m more ready than I’ve ever been. All we have to do now is finalize the details for buying this place,” I say, looking around her small bedroom. It’s quaint and freshly painted, with wooden slat blinds and hardwood floors. She’s made it cozy with her white-wash furniture and cute pendant lighting.
I feel her chuckle against my body, and I glance down. “Like that’s so easy,” she says.
“Well, that’s one thing about real estate, babe. You have to think like a winner. And we’re going to win that auction no matter what it takes.”
“I thought we talked about this? You know my funds are limited…”
I place my finger over her lips and press my lips to the top of her head. “I told you there’s no need to worry about that. I have a plan.”
“Are you sure it’s a smart idea being lovers and business partners?”
I blow out a breath. “For us, I think it works. Would it work for everyone? Oh, hell no. I’ve seen it all in this game of real estate, but we know we’re always going to be friends, no matter what happens with us, right?”
“Yes,” she says. “Always. I’d never want to ruin a good thing, and our friendship is like no other.”
“And so we will protect it at all costs. I don’t want to lose that either. I know there can be a fine line between being friendsforever, and now lovers, but we owe it to ourselves to give it a shot.”
“Couldn’t have said it better.”
“And I’ve got two weeks to convince you that buying in with the bakery is a good idea. I won’t interfere, I’ll be a silent partner.”
“You will, huh?”
“Silent in business, maybe. But not anywhere else.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” she says, inching her hand down my torso. Her fingers gliding over my skin to my belly button and then over my ready and willing cock. “Wow, you’re ready to go again?” she sounds surprised, and that makes me smile.
