“I look forward to that.”I kiss his beautiful lips and smile.“Meanwhile, we have Christmas in a few weeks, and I’m going to need to find a new job and get some therapy.”
His smile fades, those light blue eyes studying me with a serious weight.
“It’s going to be a long journey, but I want you to know I’m going to stay by your side.”Jake brushes my hair off my face.“Why don’t you move in with me?”
My mouth parts, but no words come out.The wedding comment was partly a joke, I knew that, but there’s no humor in his eyes now.
“I need you.I want us to be together.I want to show you how serious I am, and this is how I can protect you.”
Live together?
I don’t know...
“And if I can carry on my sales pitch,” he smirks, “hear me out.You can sell or rent out your home, taking pressure off payments while you decide on when you feel ready to go back to work.Plus, think of all the amazing sex.”
My brows lift.
“You’ve really thought this through.”
He smiles more broadly, clearly proud.
“Except that part where I was kidnapped, lost my job and found out my boss is a pedophile.”I slap his arm playfully.“Do you not think maybe I want to stay in my own home and have some stability?”
“Oh.”
The big goof.
“If I can use one of your previous terms, Jake Murphy, let’s take it slow.”
He falls on his back, groaning.
“I hate old me.”
I laugh, loving new Jake.
“Fine, but I’m moving in here until you are ready to move into my place.My house is bigger, safer and—”
“Nicer, I know.”
I love his house.
I’d love to live with him.
Just not now.
I want to see him follow through on his promises, even if I have little doubt.Once he started talking, I could see that he’d realized everything would be different.
That, and he never answered any of the five calls he got last night.
Jake starts to climb out of bed, and I reach for him.“Wait.I just want to say...thank you.For sharing everything last night.For opening up.For...being you.”
“God, I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
“Now let go of me, or I’m going to pee on you.”
Giggling, I flop back and smile.
