“Yeah, baby, head out.I’ll grab the mallard.”I cocked my head toward her bedroom where the winged atrocity hung on her wall.
Her brows rose higher than I’d ever seen.“I’m sorry, what?Grab the mallard?Did I miss a memo?”
I chuckled.“A memo?Baby, how old are you?”
“Focus, Hudson,” she growled impatiently.“Why would you grab Bernard?”
“Bernard?You named him?”I choked out.
“He just… looks like a Bernard.”
“Fuck, you’re cute,” I rumbled, wanting to take her delicious mouth and forget the day we’d endured.
“And this is you again making decisions without talking to me.”She crossed her arms.“Withoutaskingme.”
That sobered me, and I regarded her intently.“Alright, baby, let me lay out my intentions.I want you to come home with me.You can keep your place here for as long as you want, but I’m determined to keep you happy enough that you never want to leave.I built a house—I want you to help me make it a home.I know it’s fast, but especially after today, I can’t imagine not making my intentions crystal clear.And I figure you can’t live withoutBernard,so he better come with.”I offered her a teasing grin.
Her eyes popped wide, her mouth dropping in shock.“You’re asking me to move in?”
“Absolutely.It’s okay if you’re not entirely sure.I’m sure enough for the both of us.But if you’re really not ready for that, I’ll respect your decision.I can set you up with a first-class security system here to make sure you’re protected, and we can go from there.I just want you to be happy.”
She rose up on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to mine.“Grab the bird.”
I grinned against her mouth, already thinking about all the ways I’d remind her of that quote in our future.“You do realize we just decided to move in together and had this whole conversation naked?”
“We’ll skip that part when we tell the story.”
I pressed my lips to hers.“You can tell it any way you like.Now, let’s get going so I can feed you.”
We packed up the essentials she would need for the next few days, including Bernard.I’d have my brothers help me with the rest.I didn’t want anyone else handling her things.
“What are you hungry for?”I asked as I fired up the truck, the feeling of rightness coursing through me with her at my side.
“I would kill for a burger.”She groaned.“I don’t particularly feel like dealing with half the town, but I’m starved.Could we grab something to go?”
“Anything you want, baby.”I shifted the truck into gear and pulled away from the curb.Truth be told, I didn’t have much in the house, so swinging by Goodie’s was the best option to quickly get her home, fed, and into my bed—our bed.
I couldn’t fucking wait.
But I’d have to do just that.I had important calls to make to ensure my woman was protected.I wasn’t sleeping another night without it done.
After we finished eating, I had her curled next to me on the sofa in the living room as I set about explaining my next moves.
“Gonna call Griff, baby.I want to make sure a case has been opened on your break-in.”
She looked up at me, her eyes wide at the vehemence in my tone.
“And then I’m calling a meeting with my publicist, manager, and lawyer.I want all of them to know you’re mine, that you’re living with me, and to discuss what additional measures we need to take to ensure your safety and our privacy.I would shield you from all of this—honestly, it’s my instinct to play it that way—but that seems to piss you off.”
“He’s learning.”She rolled her eyes as she snuggled deeper into my side.
“I’m deeply motivated,” I assured her, my voice dropping an octave.
The way she shifted against me sent heat curling low in my stomach.I bit back a groan and forced myself to focus, lifting my phone to my ear before temptation got the better of me.
By the time I finished scheduling a meeting with my entire team for the following morning, she’d fallen asleep against me, no doubt exhausted from the day we’d had.
I carried her upstairs, relishing the feeling of her, safe and secure in my arms.As I laid her into what was now our bed, I couldn’t deny I’d imagined a different ending to the evening.But the sight of her sleeping soundly—knowing she was safe to do so and trusting me to take care of her—was a very close second choice.
