Sam tilted his head from side to side. “That’s what fainting is. But no worries, I carried you in my arms like a damsel in distress and got you home.”
Harris growled and kicked his foot out, pushing Sam almost off the bed, which he deserved.
Sam gave an exaggerated yelp, jumping up. “The thanks I get. Well, I’ll leave you two love birds alone. Just wanted to lay eyes on you before I left and make sure you were okay. And call your kid, she was freaking out.”
“Sam!” Harris called before his brother reached the door.
Sam turned with a questioning look.
Harris cleared his throat and then looked away, uncomfortable. “Thank you. You did well last night. I’m kind of proud of you.”
Sam’s usually playful eyes filled with emotion before he spread his wide grin across his face. He gave a salute and then turned and left, closing the door behind him. For once, he responded the right way. He needed to hear that praise, but he wouldn’t rub it in, at least not now. Especially if he wanted to hear it again.
I looked back at Harris, clasping my hands together. “That was sweet of you to say.”
He shrugged. “I probably shouldn’t have said anything. He’s going to ride that for a while.”
“I know you’re just saying that. Your brother is trying to be better.”
“Yeah, I know. We all are. But he’s right, I do need to call my daughter.” He reached over to grab his phone on the side table, and I made a move to get up, but he grabbed my hand. “Stay. Please.”
I nodded and remained. It was heartwarming listening to him talk to her. Seeing the paternal side of Harris was new for me. I knew he could be soft with me, but it was different with his kid. He was sweet. My grumpy, controlling, stubborn orc was a softie deep inside. If he had any fear of being like his father, I’d say he conquered it despite his rough childhood. He even told her about me, and she sounded happy he had found someone. I wanted to be surprised, but then I remembered that she’d only ever known him single.
When he hung up the phone, I leaned in and kissed him. “Thank you for letting me listen. Sounds like you’re a good dad.”
He lifted a shoulder, uncomfortable with such praise as usual. “I could be better. And I will be. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”
I grinned, feeling way too giddy. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m sure she’s awesome, like her father.”
He patted his thighs, and I knew it was his nonverbal way to get me on him. “And you.”
I straddled him, smiling. “You should be resting.”
He bit his lower lip, clasping my waist. “This is how I rest. You were a badass last night. Although you don’t listen very well.”
“And you don’t know everything. Glad I didn’t listen.” I stuck my tongue out at him.
He playfully smacked my ass. “Thank you, you brat.” Then his eyes softened. “I mean it. I’m sorry for underestimating you.”
I ran my hands through his loose hair, still loving the feel of his long, silky strands. “You’re overprotective, and I understand it.” I kissed him again. “I love you.”
He hummed, and the bass he emitted vibrated my core. “Say that again.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too, baby. You do know I want you to be my wife.”
I giggled. “I kind of figured that out.”
“I’ll try not to scare you with too much, so can we start with moving in together? I know that’s still fast, but I want you with me. I need you.”
And my heart melted in my chest. It was fast, I knew that. But I had loved him practically all my life. We’d been apart long enough. “I need you, too. And yes, I’ll move in with you after I sell my space.”
He pulled me closer to him until my chest bumped against his bare, hard one. “Oh, that’ll be easy work. You could also rent it out. I have someone who can help with all that.”
I leaned forward and sucked on his lower lip. “Of course you do.” I felt him twitch between my thighs, sparking my core once again. His hands slid over my ass, squeezing it. “You really don’t know how to rest. You have to heal.”
He gave me a lazy grin. “I just needed to be around you. I’ll heal faster that way.”
