Yet again.
“I think—” The doorbell rings, stealing whatever Titus was about to say next.
And I’m relieved. Because hearing him say he thinks I’ll have to move out once the baby gets bigger would send me into a panicked tailspin.
Titus frowns, his green eyes narrowing as they swing toward the front door. “Who in the hell is that?”
“I don’t kn—” Wait. Maybe I do know.
I slide off Titus’s lap, gripping the back of the stool next to me as I wait for the little wave of dizziness that comes with standing to pass. While I’m trying to make sure I don’t almost faint and freak Titus all the way out again, he strides to the door, looking pissed at the intrusion.
I make it to the main hall just as he flings the door open to reveal Tobias on the stoop. His younger brother has his tiny poodle cradled in one arm as he thumbs over the opposite shoulder in the direction of the driveway. “What in the hell did you order now?”
Titus’s brows pinch together as he leans to stare at Tobias’s truck. “I didn’t order anything.”
“I did.” I push on a tight smile as both men’s eyes come my way. “But why do you have it?”
Tobias steps inside, shooting me a grin as he pushes past Titus. “Because people get confused about which house is which when they come here.” He waggles his dark brows and holds out the tiny dog in his arms. “You want to entertain Copper while Ty and I carry this stuff in?”
I take the pup from him and laugh when she immediately tries to lick my chin.
“Watch out.” Tobias backs away. “She’ll try to stick her tongue in your mouth if you let her.” He gives me a wink. “But I bet you’re used to that around here.”
My cheeks heat and I can’t stop the way my eyes snap to where Titus stands by the door staring out at the truck. Remembering all the places Titus has put his tongue sends heat racing through my body. Then I think about all the places I’d like to put my tongue and accidentally lick my lips. Because if Titus enjoyed going down on me as much as he did, what will he be like if I return the favor?
Copper makes good on her doggy daddy's claim, and her next kiss nearly goes between my lips. It's gross, but exactly what I need to snap me out of the train of thought I'm riding.
"Let's go make you some treats." I'm pretty sure Tobias is going to be here for a while since everything they’re unloading requires an amount of assembly. Taking Copper into the kitchen, I set her at my feet while I pull up a recipe for dog biscuits and get to work.
Titus comes in while I'm adding items to the mixer, his big body crowding close as his arms cage me in, hands bracing against the counter. His breath is warm on my neck when he asks, "Would you like to explain all the office furniture I just brought inside?"
I continueassembling the recipe, giving him a shrug. "Not really."
Titus has been working at the kitchen island for a couple of weeks now, and it’s not really set up to be a long-term workspace. The stools are attractive, and fine for eating a meal, but they're not built to have a butt in them ten hours a day. And, while Titus has a moderately acceptable office upstairs, he's all but abandoned it outside of the night there was an emergency.
Considering there's a perfectly good—and newly emptied and cleaned—office here on the main floor, I figured we might as well make it functional.
"You should've told me you wanted to furnish the office." Titus inches closer, the front of his body blanketing my back, his warmth making me want to lean into him. "I would have bought you anything you wanted."
I know he would have. He would have bought more than I wanted. And then probably added extra money to my bank account for good measure. At this point, there's more money in there than I think I've ever had at one time. And since I didn't have any immediate plans for it...
"I wanted it to be a surprise." I set the mixer to run and turn in place so I can face him. "You have done so much for me, and I wanted to do a little something for you."
I didn't go crazy. The space already had built-in shelving and a humongous desk. I just found the highest rated office chair for men of his height and build, and a little bit of decoration type stuff to make it feel more comfortable.
More like a home.
I don't know that Titus has ever felt like this is a home, and that makes me sad. Makes me want to do something to change it. Especially now that I know why.
Titus’s piercing gaze holds mine. "I'm paying you back."
I figured he would, but this wasn't about the money. This was about showing him I appreciate what he does for me.
That I think of him.
Will he probably still send me packing when I have a rambunctious, loud toddler stealing the peace he prioritizes and making it difficult for him to work? Probably. But he's not gonna leave me high and dry. I know that. That's not who he is. It will still suck to have to find a new place to live, but maybe it will be okay.
Titus's hand comes to my face, his thumb and pointer gripping my chin. "And I'm not only talking about money." He leans in, brushing a kiss against my lips.
