He nips my bottom lip for that. “Guess I’ll settle for being your boyfriend for now.”
I raise an eyebrow at that. “Settle, huh?” I cross my arms over my chest, and he does the same with a twinkle in his eye.
“For now.” He grins, and before my mind can wrap itself around what he’s getting at, he picks up his phone. “I’m emailing my realtor. Get your game face on, Daze. You’ve got an apartment to lock down.”
twenty-eight
It’s our last fullday at the cabin.
Tomorrow morning we start our drive back to the city since the Monarchs have a night game.
Daisy thinks we’re already cutting it close by not showing up today for practice, but I wasn’t having any of it when she suggested we head down sooner.
I’m going to be selfish and soak up every second I can get alone with Daisy without feeling an ounce of guilt about it.
I was worried about opening up about my past. It’s dark and not easy for me to talk about with even my therapist on the best of days. I was scared as hell that reopening those wounds in front of Daisy would have her running for the hills.
But she didn’t.
She stayed.
And when I woke up this morning, I felt lighter than I have in years.
I know the pain I carry will never fully go away. It’s somehow shaped me into the person I am. But I’m hoping that with Daisy by my side, I can work a little harder to make sure it doesn’t consume me more than it already has.
Because when you have someone like Daisy Stonehaven believe in you so wholly, it’s hard not to believe in yourself as well.
She got the email confirmation yesterday evening that she got the apartment, and like I promised, a full bedroom set was delivered before we went to sleep.
I won’t tell her exactly how I knew that apartment would be hers in a heartbeat. She’ll come to learn of that soon enough, but my Daisy needed a win, and I’m glad I could have a hand in helping her get it, even if it means keeping her in the dark for a little bit.
We’ve been lying in bed since we finished breakfast, enjoying the view of the lake and trees in the midday breeze. Daisy traces the tattoos on my chest. The sensation usually does wonders in lulling me to sleep, but she feels tense in my arms, and I swear I can hear the cogs turning in her head as her fingers glide over my skin.
“Can you stop thinking so hard? I’m trying to enjoy my last midday nap with my girlfriend,” I mumble into her hair.
“Sorry about that. Was thinking about… everything that’s to come.”
I pull her in closer, fully spooning her now. “Anything I can do to help?”
She shrugs. “Feed me pizza and tell me I’m pretty?”
“Now that I can do.” I roll her over, pinning her under my body, my hair falling over my eyes as I look down at her. “You, Daisy Stonehaven, are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. And your physical beauty.” My fingers trace her cheeks. “These eyes. Those lips.” I lower and place a quick peck overthem, then push back up to continue tracing my hand down her side, over her hip and waist. “This body, every last inch of you. And yes, I mean every last inch.” I wag my eyebrows playfully and she erupts into a fit of giggles at my silliness. “Only pales in comparison to the beauty you hold in that heart of yours that I hope I’m making a home in. ’Cause you sure as hell have made the place yours in mine.”
“Luke.” She raises my hand to my cheek.
I turn my head and kiss the center of her palm. “So how’d I do?” I smile expectantly.
She tilts her head side to side. “Meh, would have been better with pizza.”
I tsk. “Knew I was taking a gamble walking into that empty-handed. My apologies. It won’t happen again.”
“Apology accepted.” I’m off her and heading for the kitchen, grabbing a discarded henley and throwing it on, then preheating the oven.
Daisy meets me by the refrigerator, handing me the sealed pizza dough we’ve been meaning to use, along with shredded cheese, sauce, and a couple of Italian meats. “Let’s try to use as much of this stuff as possible before we leave tomorrow.”
I chuckle. “Don’t need to tell me twice.” I pop a slice of pepperoni into my mouth.
She tinkers with her phone until it connects to the built-in speakers around the house.
