“Oh!” I cover my face with my hand. “The sex is good and you’re sexy, but that’s not why I missed you. I didn’t mean to—“ I give up with an exasperated sigh. “Are you going to keep letting me struggle?”
He’s trying to hide a shit-eating grin. “It was entertaining for me.”
“Ugh. Great for you.” The embarrassment that was heating my body slowly fades.
He tugs my hand closer to his lips, kissing my fingers. “Tell me why you missed me, you adorable menace to words.”
“It was hard for me to process everything that happened. I know it’s not what you want to hear, but I needed that space. Don’t think I wasn’t thinking about you like crazy. Thank you for chasing me, Cas.” My chin quivers as I fight back my emotions. “I needed to feel wanted. I’m still terrified, but I think I’m ready to take a chance with you.”
“I told you, Vivienne. It wasn’t goodbye. I said I’d be back to collect you, and I meant every word.” He strokes my fingers. “I know I’m not a good guy in the sense that I have no problem doing what needs to be done to protect the people I care about. But I promise you, I’ll always be good to you.”
“What does this mean, Cas? How will we make this work? I can’t…” I pause, “it’s just Roxy needs me. We’re kinda a package deal.”
This makes him laugh. “I know. Trust me. I have no problem relocating. I’ve already been preparing to rent my place out. I was looking in Arizona, not far from California. I like Colorado, and a pool is a major perk.”
“Wait. You think you’re just inviting yourself to live with me?” I ask, raising a brow.
“I forgot to tell you the movers are already there.”
“Cas!” I hiss. “You better be joking.”
“You’re cute when you get all worked up. There are no movers, but I guess you can help me pack,” he teases.
I roll my eyes. “I’m not helping you pack.”
“Fine. Fine,” he replies, “but you should be sitting on my lap right now. It’s been far too long since I held you in my arms.”
He tugs on me, and I climb into his lap. He cradles me against his chest, and I snuggle in. All I can think about is that I’m right where I belong. Cas strokes my arm with his fingers lightly. “Vivienne, can I ask you a question?” he says.
“Mmmhmm,” I answer, halfway between complete relaxation and sleep.
“How do you feel about a tattoo?” Cas mumbles suspiciously.
“A tattoo?” I repeat, eyeing the ink decorating him.
“Just a small one. You know, maybe something with wings and the word mine, to commemorate our club status. It can be our little secret.” He buries his face in my neck, peppering it with kisses.
It tickles from his beard hair. “I’ll consider it,” I sigh.
“Don’t worry, I’ll talk you into it.”
I snuggle into him. “I bet you will.”
I must have been more exhausted than I realized. What seems like only seconds later, an unfamiliar voice wakes me. “Hey Cas, you two lovebirds might want to grab your seats. We’re about twenty minutes out.”
“Thanks, Henry,” Cas answers.
“Hey there, sleepy. You heard the man. Time for seatbelts.”
I climb into my seat. Before I know it, we’ve landed.
“Welcome to New York, little muse. I’m going to take you back to my house, lock you in my bedroom, and never let you leave,” Cas rasps.
“Is that a promise, Mr. Rockstar?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Chapter twenty-nine
