Vienna bites her lip before giving me a sheepish look. “That you do it because youwantto.”
“Right.” Cupping her cheek, I trace my finger down the line of her jaw. “Anything I do for you, it’s because I want to. Whether it’s flowers or buying you a new coat or taking the day off work to go snowmobiling with you. Seeing you happy makesmehappy.”
“And trying to cook breakfast?” she asks with a smirk. “Even though I’m better at it?”
I jostle her on my lap. “Hey. I’m improving.”
She leans forward and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “You are.” Her smile fades as her expression turns earnest. “No one has ever done anything like that for me before. Cooking me breakfast, or taking me snowmobiling, or bringing me to four different stores to find the perfect winter coat.”
A rush of intense emotion slams into me, and I hug her close. “Well. Someone will now. Me.”
“Caleb.”
The words are right there, so close to coming out.
Will you stay?
Stay in Bliss. Stay at my house. Not just as a stop-gap until she has enough money for an apartment, but permanently.
I know it’s soon—sooner than I ever would have imagined asking a woman to move in with me. But mygut tells me it’s right. So does my heart. It’s only fear keeping me from asking.
Rather than saying what I really want, I grab the gift bag from the coffee table and set it on Vienna’s lap. “Another present,” I explain. When I saw the bright red leather planner in Bookish Bliss, it seemed perfect for her to use when she starts up with her classes again.
“Another one?” She casts a surprised glance at me. “You don’t have?—”
I silence her with a kiss. “What did I say?”
“I know, I know.” Holding the bag in her hands, she says, “I didn’t buy you anything. I will, once I get my finances more in order. Consider it a late Valentine’s gift. Or by then, it might be a Saint Patrick’s Day one.”
“Well, Iampart Irish,” I tease. “So that could work.”
Vienna smiles. “A combination Valentine’s slash Saint Patrick’s Day present, then.” She pauses. “But I’m making dinner. I found a recipe for pizza casserole that looked really good. Plus a Caesar salad with homemade dressing and cheese-stuffed garlic knots. The casserole is already in the oven, and I’ll start the garlic knots and salad when we’re almost ready to eat. And there’s chocolate espresso cake for dessert.”
My stomach rumbles in anticipation. “That sounds amazing, V.”
“I have something else that’s sort of a present,” she adds. “But I can’t tell you what it is. I have to show you.”
“Oh?” My interest is piqued. “What’s that?”
“Well.” She sets the gift bag on the cushion beside us. “I’m not sure if I should show you now. Or…” Trailing off, she gets this adorably flustered look on her face. “I don’t know if I should call it a gift. Now that I’m thinking about it, that’s kind of presumptuous, like I’m just assuming?—”
“Vienna.”
“Yes?”
“Whatever it is that you have for me, or want to show me, I’m going to like it.” To lighten the mood, I add, “Unless it’s the remainder of the pancakes I ruined yesterday. I might not love that.”
Vienna stares at me for a second before laughing. “No. It’s not the pancakes.” She takes a deep breath and puffs it out. Then she slides off my lap. “It’s—” Her hands come to the hem of her sweater and start pulling it up. “Well. You’ll see.”
My gaze flies to the strip of bare skin slowly being revealed. First there’s just an inch or so, then her cute little bellybutton appears, and the tapered curve of her waist…
“Vienna?” My voice goes rough. “What are you doing?”
She keeps dragging her sweater up. Past her ribcage. Over a bright red, lacy bra that does nothing to cover her nipples. Then she peels the sweater the rest of the way off and drops it on the coffee table. “Showing you part of my gift.”
I know I should stop staring at her breasts. But shit. They’re incredible.
I’ve felt them before, over her clothing and beneath. I’ve cupped the plump swells in my hands and played with her nipples. But I haven’t pushed for more. I’vewanted to, of course. But I’d rather wait until I’m sure it’s the right time.
