The call ends, and I walk into Adrian’s place, my whole body buzzing, barely able to contain my excitement.
“Who was that?”he asks, lowering the stuff on the island.
“I got the job.”
Smiling brightly, he closes the distance between us and lifts me off my feet, spinning me around.“I knew it.I’m so proud of you.”When he lowers me, his hands cup my cheeks.
“They’re sending me all the stuff to work from home,” I say, still processing.“But I don’t know if that’ll work long term.I might need to find a space.”
Adrian’s hands move to my hips.“Why don’t you just work here?”
“What?”
“I have a spare room.We can set it up as your office.If they’re sending everything, it makes sense.You’d be here during the day, and let’s be honest, you’re practically going to be living here anyway.”The idea sends a thrill through me, but it’s quickly replaced by uncertainty.What would that mean for my family?I’ve always been there to help Mom, but would working at his place, and then staying for dinner to sleeping over be too much?
I raise an eyebrow.“Oh?Is that so?”
A slow smirk tugs at his lips as he moves his face to my neck.“Yeah.Now that I’ve found you, I don’t want to let you go.”His breath is ticklish against my ear.“I want as much time with you as I can get.”
My heart flutters, but I keep my tone even.“Well, in that case…” I reach over to grab his housewarming gift.“This is yours.”
He grins, taking it.“Should I be worried?”
“Just open it.”
As soon as he does, he bursts into laughter.“This is gold.”
I laugh too.“I thought it was pretty funny.”
“I love it.”He sets it down on the console and pulls me close.“And I love that you get me.”
I smile, resting my hands on his chest.
His eyes light up.“Let’s sit out on the deck and share a glass to celebrate your new job.”
We settle outside, a plate of snacks on hand, wineglasses resting on a new small wooden table between us.The December evening is cold but clear, and we’ve bundled up in coats.The sun is already set, and there’s only the sound of distant birds and the occasional rustle of dry leaves.
I sit back, watching the view, sipping the wine.
“Let’s grab a picture,” he says softly, pulling out his phone, shifting closer.We snap a few selfies.
I glance at the screen, at the way we look together, at how right this moment feels.
“Perfect.”
I meet his gaze.“It really is.”
Then his expression darkens, intense flickering behind his eyes.
“Come here,” he says.
The way he says it sends a shiver down my spine.
And I know I’m ready for what comes next.
Chapter 37
Adrian
