Emotion catches in my chest, tightening my throat for a moment. But before I can speak, Dan softens the mood again, like he senses my heart stumbling over itself.
“But for now,” he adds with a teasing smile, “I’m going to make you admit you love my co?—”
I press my finger to his lips. “I already told you last night I love your cock. How many times does your ego need to hear it?”
“I was going to say cooking.” He bursts out laughing. “But it’s always good to know you love that as well.” He rolls around on the bed, his nose scrunching with a hearty laugh.
“That toast was a little burnt, if I’m being honest.” I laugh, leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek. “Don’t worry, you’ve got other talents.”
His eyes darken with heat, but there’s a softness there too. “I plan to remind you of them. Frequently.”
Sir-Pounce-A-Lot leaps onto Dan’s chest, landing with a soft thud and a meow that saysget a room.
Dan barks a laugh, ruffling the cat’s fur. “Jealous?”
“He’s just not used to sharing the bed,” I say, scratching behind Sir P’s ear.
“Well, he’d better get used to it,” Dan replies, his gaze steady on mine. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
Something shifts between us. A shared understanding. A promise not made out loud, but felt all the same.
Maybe this can work after all.
“I haveto go out shortly. I may not be back until tomorrow.”
I sip my coffee with a smile as if my face is now permanently stuck this way after spending the last few days in a bubble with D’Angelo. I don’t want it to pop, but he’s getting ready to go to work. Despite my curiosity, I no longer ask about his profession. “Look at us. We almost sound like a normal couple.”
He leans over the kitchen counter and kisses my lips. “We are a normal couple.” He lifts the shirt I've just ironed for him from the back of the chair and slides his arms through the crisp white cotton. There’s something stupidly intimate about watching him do such a normal thing. Like we’ve skipped years ahead, to mornings like this that belong to us.
“Shane’s gonna come and watch the house.”
My brow furrows. “Who’s Shane?”
“My mate. Lilly’s husband. He’s a sergeant in the police.” He pulls a tie through his collar. “I don’t want you to worry while I’m gone, that’s all.”
My grip tightens around my mug. “I wasn’t worried, but I am now.”
“Don’t be worried. It’s more for my benefit.” He lifts my chin, his touch reassuring. “I can’t think straight if I don’t know you’re safe.”
My chest warms at his words. I nod, understanding. If it wasn’t for the high security at my son’s school, I’d be a wreck.But nobody’s ever worried aboutmelike this before. I’m usually the one worrying for everyone else. Being strong for everyone else. It's exhausting. I like the way he takes some of that weight off my shoulders.
“I’ll text you and check in, but I’ll be back tomorrow at the latest and we can pick Angelos up from school.” He rolls his lips between his teeth. “I need you to tell our son the truth.”
I gulp. The smile disappears from my face as a wave of emotions rise in my chest with guilt in the lead, followed by dread. “I know. I will. Just…”
“Just what?” The space between his brows wrinkles.
“I will tell him everything. Just give it time. He needs some time to get to know you and get used to you. If I just spring this on him now, he could resent you.”
“Is it me you’re worried he’ll resent or you for keeping the truth from him?”
Ugh. I hate it when he’s right.
“Fine, but I'm not sleeping on the couch again when he’s here.” His grey-blue eyes darken. “You tell him we’re together. We’ll tell him everything else when the time is right. We’ll figure this out.”
31
DAN
