Eclipse grumbled the same as he did whenever she brought that up. She’d been at the mansion for three weeks, alternating between wearing the outfit she’d come here in, Eclipse’s too-large T-shirts and his sweatpants, and a couple of outfits Asmia had offered her. It wasn’t that she owned a lot to begin with, but Orianna would’ve felt better if she had a few of her things.
“I was thinking maybe we should bring your apartment here,” Eclipse whispered, his lips sliding over the curve of her shoulder.
A sweet shiver danced down her spine. “Here? As in … you want me to move in with you?”
Evidently, he’d heard the confusion in her voice, because Eclipse propped himself up on an elbow and nudged her onto her back.
“Is that a problem for you?”
“Maybe.” She honestly wasn’t sure what to think. “Why would you want me here?”
“Because this is where you belong,” he said simply, his silver stare sliding over her face. “With me.”
Her first instinct was to argue. Only the words didn’t come out. The old Orianna would’ve told him it was time for her to go, that she belonged in her shitty little apartment, all alone, continuing her search for her sister. But she couldn’t form the words. The need to argue was impulsive, but her desire to stay here with him outweighed it.
Of course, that made her feel like a pussy. Orianna had never relied on anyone to take care of her. Not since … well, not since before her mother’s attack. It wasn’t like she’d ever had family to rely on. Her father’s only concern was himself, and then her mother hadn’t been able to take care of herself, much less anyone else. Boarding school had been the same. She’d been forced to grow up then, and over time, Orianna had come to learn the only person she could depend on was herself.
Two weeks ago, she probably would’ve been able to make a convincing argument. But these past few days had been enlightening. Not only had she realized there were people willing to care for her, but Orianna had come to learn she could care for them as well. She’d developed friendships with Penelope, Acadia, even Miklós. And she harbored a deep fondness for Phillip and Jeffrey though she knew they were merely doing their jobs. The thought of leaving any of them indefinitely didn’t sit well.
But the idea of waking up alone without Eclipse … that was unbearable.
“Only if you want.” Eclipse’s lips brushed her cheek. “I won’t force you to do anything, Orianna.”
“I know.” Her eyes met his and she smiled. “I don’t want to leave, either.”
His relief was written across his face as he exhaled heavily. It warmed her to know he’d hoped she would stay.
She reached up and cupped his cheek. “I’ll stay, but that doesn’t mean we can spend all our time in bed.”
“A majority of it?”
Orianna chuckled, then moaned when his hand snuck beneath the blankets and curled around her breast.
“We’re meeting with Barin,” she reminded him.
“The male can wait.”
“For?”
Eclipse slid down the bed, his head and the rest of him disappearing beneath the blankets.
“Oh, God,” she groaned as his mouth settled between her thighs.
Yeah. He could wait.
Hell, everything could wait.
By the time Eclipse made it downto the war room, the nightly patrol had already left. He probably would’ve joined them, but he wanted to be there when Orianna met with Barin. The male had agreed—under duress, mind you—to come have a sit-down with Eclipse’samsouelot. It wasn’t standard protocol for guardian angels to meet with those they’d sworn to watch over, but in this case, Eclipse figured Orianna deserved to hear it for herself.
“What time’s Barin showing up?” Miklós asked, getting to his feet and tucking his laptop under his arm.
“He didn’t tell me. Why?”
Miklós met his eyes. “I’ve got a lead on one of the sister’s previous residences.”
Eclipse raised one eyebrow, urging him to continue.
“I thought maybe you’d want to take a field trip.”
