I yank her close so her back is to my front as I embrace her with my arms around her belly. “That was your mistake for sending me those sexy photos of you in nothing but a sheet a while ago.”
She laughs, and it sounds so jubilant. “You realize that you can never let anyone enter this room.”
“It also kind of means that you have a place that’s a little more permanent here,” I whisper into her ear. Esme quiets, but her body doesn’t tense. “I’m not sure why I didn’t think of this sooner, to be honest.”
“Because I was supposed to be here temporarily even if we are madly in love. No pressure.” Her tone is floaty.
“Not anymore. You’re moving in. As in staying here and not leaving. I’ll get the bed ties if I need to.”
“I didn’t hear a question in what you just said.” She turns in my arms, her face poised and my look cunning.
My hand shoots up to cup her cheek and print my thumb onto her pillowy bottom lip. “I don’t need to. I’ve made the decision for you.”
Esme begins to smirk. “We should really assess your demanding and in-control-of-our-relationship aspect. But lucky for you, it’s what I want. This is all why I magnetize to you.”
“You’re my good girl.” There is an underlying lightheartedness. “You’ve been thinking about this decision, and as much as we might say that there are several scenarios that could happen, you’ve only ever wanted one of those, and me too. So, you’re moving in on a permanent basis.”
She purrs a breath and slides her arms up to latch onto my neck with her eyes tipped up while I look down to meet her. “Since I don’t get to answer, then it seems as though this is happening… I was going to demand it too. You just beat me to it.”
“Damn straight.” I dive down to steal a kiss, and I can’t help myself and let my hands wander lower to squeeze her ass. “Practical me needs to inform you that you’re still going to have to do something with that house.”
“I’ll probably rent it out. I haven’t decided yet. Hailey mentioned that she’s looking for a place. We don’t need to think about that now. We have animals intent on ruining the house, probably possessed by that evil spirit that once lived there, and I have a boyfriend to do wicked things with me on a hard surface.” I’m never going to be disappointed by the way as Esme is insatiable and can keep up with my own level of needs.
“Not the desk.” I’m serious. “It took me an hour last night to figure out where the hell to place candles and Post-its and all of that stuff.”
She chuckles. “Your wish is my command.”
Our next kiss is longer with more intention. We’re becoming something longer lasting, she and I.
Her lips drag along mine. “I love you,” she reminds me, and her voice is husky and sexy, and God, I’m going to lay her down on our bed to make love to her slowly.
“You may have a house next door but it’s no longer a home. Your home is here.”
Our teeth scrape against one another as our noses nuzzle. “It’s the truth, and I’m well aware. I was going to share this all when I brought you your coffee and we somehow got in a lovers’ quarrel where I burst out what I’m feeling.”
My head falls back as I laugh because not one word of that is sarcasm. It’s 100% Esme. “We can still role play that if you want.”
She puckers her lips to the side as she pretends to consider. “Nah, lying in bed and telling you how sweet this all is sounds better.”
I kiss the top of her head. “I’ll tell you that I love you over and over.”
“Our usual weekend then.”
“Now you’re officially living here and never leaving.”
Her smirk turns mischievous. “Why are we still talking about this?” She steps back and offers me her hand. “Come on, as much as I’m going to enjoy your fine work, we need a bed right now.”
Lunging forward, I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder fireman style. “Say no more. I’ve exceeded surprise expectations and can now be rewarded.”
Esme kicks her feet. “Fuck off, Keats. You can reward me for agreeing to stay.” She’s so unbelievably giddy and giggly right now.
Swinging her around before ascending the stairs, I pretend to be aggravated. “Don’t even start. I’m going to tape your mouth shut.”
“Ooh, wrists too? Please say my wrists.” She’s half teasing but also wants it.
I love this woman, and our future looks very promising.
EPILOGUE: KEATS
