I paused.
The pad of Hiro’s finger dragged down the bridge of my nose. “You thought I wanted you to move out.”
Could a heart clench and flutter at the same time? I’m here to tell you it can. Makes you feel like you’re having a seizure. “Well, you said…”
“Not you, Pip.Us.”
Oh, I likedus.
The laptop started ringing with a new call, and I automatically turned to the screen.
Hiro pulled my face back, swallowing me whole with the unspoken secrets in his gaze. “Your attention belongs to me.”
Eyes still locked with his, I reached over and silenced the ringing.
“Good boy,” he whispered, lips flirting with mine. When I tried to chase him for more, he chuckled. “This loft is a lot like me. A ghost. A place to exist but not really live. Nothing in here stays long enough to become a memory. There’s no warmth, no roots, no heartbeat.”
“I like it here,” I told him.
“Because it’s an upgrade from your place. But it’s still not good enough. Not for you.”
“But, Hiro?—”
His finger silenced my words. “The second I saw you standing in the middle of this place, I knew. You’re the heartbeat.Myheartbeat. A heart can’t live inside a dead body. You deserve more than an empty shell. Besides, our kids need their own room.”
I kissed the finger still pressed against my lips.
“Cute,” he murmured. “Too fucking cute.”
I pulled back. “It doesn’t matter where we live as long as I’m with you.”
“What if it’s right next door to Haz?”
I perked up. “What?”
His white teeth flashed. “Mm-hmm, I knew that’d change your mind. Think I’m a little jealous.”
“You rented an apartment in Kieran’s building?” I asked.
“Negative. I bought the place right across the hall.”
I gaped. “What? When?”
“Like an hour ago.”
“Is that why you’ve been gone so long?”
He chuckled. “Miss me, did ya?”
I nodded.
“That’s the stuff,” he whispered. “But no, that’s not why I was gone so long. Buying a house ain’t that hard. Not when you can pay cash.”
“Cash!” My god, how rich was he?
“Getting your phones took longer. I’ve seen less aggressive behavior on crime documentaries.” He shook his head. “I swear, they smell upgrade eligibility from three miles away.”
“You got me a phone?” I repeated.
