“And Lainey?”
“Us being in a relationship will only make the family stronger. Together, we can give Lainey a loving home.” When she remains quiet, I ask, “Any other questions?”
She hesitates for a moment, then asks, “Do you really love me?”
I brush my fingers over her temple as I stare deep into her eyes. “I love you, Nova. Please let me give you the life you deserve.”
An emotional smile forms around her mouth, and when she nods, intense relief pours into my heart. “Okay.”
“Thank you.” I pepper her with kisses. “Fuck. Thank you.” Only when we’re both breathless from the kisses do I push myself up, glancing down as I pull out of her. Her body shudders, making a smile tug at the corner of my mouth. “I love how sensitive you are.”
Climbing off the bed, I walk to the bathroom so I can dispose of the condom. Once I’m done, I wash my hands and comb my fingersthrough my messy hair before I walk back into the room, only to find my bed empty.
The fuck?
Grabbing my sweatpants, I pull them on. Noticing Nova’s leggings and shirt, I pick them up while wondering why the hell she’d run naked from my bedroom right after we had sex for the first time and agreed to be in a relationship.
Everything felt fine when I got up.
I stalk out of the room, and just as I turn left into her bedroom, she slams into me. I drop her clothes and quickly wrap an arm around her so she doesn’t fall.
Frowning down at her, I ask, “Why did you leave?”
“I needed to use the bathroom as well.”
Right. Of course.
She extracts her body from my arms, and grabbing her clothes from where they fell on the floor, she walks back into her room.
I stare shamelessly at her body as she gets dressed, thinking I’m one hell of a lucky man.
She darts into the bathroom to pull a brush through her hair, and while she’s busy, I glance around the mostly empty room.
Frowning, I ask, “When are you going to make this room yours?”
She comes out of the bathroom, giving me a questioning look. “What do you mean?”
“There’s nothing personal in here.”
“My clothes are in the closet,” she replies, then she starts to look embarrassed. “That’s all I brought from Verona.”
I walk to her closet, and seeing how little Nova has makes me feel like shit for not noticing sooner.
“Remember the limit I gave you?”
“For the credit card?” she asks.
I look at her where she’s standing near her bed. “Up it to a hundred. I want you to fill this closet with clothes.”
“What?” she gasps, staring at me as if I’ve lost my mind.
Closing the distance between us, I wrap my hand around the side of her neck and lock eyes with her. “One hundred thousand dollars, Nova. You better spend it all on clothes for yourself, or I swear I’ll drag you to the stores myself. Then you’ll just have to deal with a mob of fans following us while I make you shop until you drop.”
With wide eyes that make me love her even more, she whispers, “I don’t think I can spend that much money. How ... even?”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “Take Lainey with you. She’ll show you how to spend the amount in a few hours.” I press a kiss to her parted lips, then add, “Oh, by the way, one hundred is the minimum amount to spend. There’s no maximum. I want you to get everything your heart desires.”
She takes hold of my wrist and gives me a grateful look. “Thank you, Easton.” Her eyebrows draw together. “I’m not with you for money, though.”
