I think I just need to embrace the fact that when it comes to Chad, I’m a possessive asshole, and I’ll probably always enjoy seeing the proof of my claim on him.
He’s wrapped in my arms, and I run my fingertips over one of the marks on his hip, lightly tracing the fading purple. He makes a content “hmm” sound. “If you’re thinking about adding a few new marks to my collection, don’t let me stop you. Morning sex yesterday was amazing, and I’d love a repeat.”
I chuckle and kiss the tip of his nose. “I would also love that, but not today.”
He spins to face me fully so I can see him stick out his bottom lip as he pouts. I lean in and lightly nip at it, which leavesus both laughing. After a moment he recovers. “Alright, what’s so important that it’s cockblocking us?”
“I finished rewiring everything that my brothers needed me to on your first floor yesterday.”
“Oh cool, are we going to go see it? We can definitely do thataftersex.”
I bite my lip for a moment, suddenly nervous he’ll turn down my suggestion even though I really doubt he will. I could just give in to him now, and then we could do my plans, but I love the delayed gratification that comes with making us both wait. “We could. Or I was thinking we could use my day off for me to teach you how to lay some tile in the bathroom downstairs. If you’re okay with doing it, I have everything ready. Then if you still want to do some at your house after that, we can let my brothers know.”
“Oh my God, John! Of course I want to.” He literally throws the covers off and jumps out of bed before hurrying into the bathroom. I’m left chuckling again. His endless enthusiasm really is contagious. I can’t believe I ever found it to be annoying.
After we brush our teeth, I offer Chad to put on my clothes to work in. “If you don’t want to wear yours from yesterday.”
“Hell yeah, I’d much rather wear yours,” he says easily, and that possessive part of me flares with satisfaction yet again. When he’s dressed, he spins for me, dramatically showing off my black T-shirt and sweats.
I pull him in for a tight hug. “Fine by me. They look really good on you, Princess. I like seeing you in my clothes.”
He beams up at me, and I don’t hide my returning smile. I pull him in closer and realize I feel a little lighter than I did when I woke up this morning as if he’s managed to fit another broken piece of me back together.
I know it isn’t that simple, but I’m trying. I love being the one to make him look so happy, and every time I earn that lookon his face, it feels like I’m a step closer to being the man I want to be; the one who deserves to be at his side.
Working on my house today will feel like another big step. It’s something he’s wanted to do, but more than that, I like the idea of him helping with a project that will be around for years to come. Of Chad leaving his own mark on this house.
I’d like it to be his house one day too. For real this time. If he wants it to be.
Not sure what he’ll do with the mansion my brothers are working on, but he’ll have a lot more options when they’re done fixing it up. It needed to be updated anyway.
“Ready?” I check. Chad nods and grabs my hand to pull me down the stairs after him, and for a moment, I’m reminded of him dragging me around Vegas when this whole thing began. I think even back then a part of me knew how special Chad is. I’ve never let anyone casually touch me as much as he did in those three days, and I might have pretended to hate it, but I never really did.
“Be right back.” I squeeze his hand as we enter the kitchen and run out to the garage to grab the tools and materials we need.
“John! Is that the tile I liked?” Chad sounds absolutely delighted when I open the box in front of him.
I nod. “You were right, I don’t need to keep everything exactly the same. I’ve been thinking a lot about it since you had my brothers fix the fireplace, and I think Luke would like it if I made it my own here and actually enjoyed the house I’m living in—ooof.”
Chad nearly tackles me with the force of his hug. “This is so exciting. I can’t wait to see what you do with it.”
I hug him back and force myself to push down nerves as I respond. “I’d like your help with that part.”
I’m not quite ready to officially ask him to move in, there have been so many changes so quickly and I don’t want to rushanything, but I think we’ll get there soon. And I want him to like the house he’s living in just as much as I do.
“Really?” he asks, looking up at me with wide eyes.
“Of course.”
“Holy shit. I’m so excited! Let’s get started!” Chad grabs the box of tiles and heads to the bathroom, calling over his shoulder, “My first official suggestion is that you replace the tile countertop in the kitchen.”
I chuckle as I grab the rest of the supplies. “Maybe if you do a good job with these tiles we can drive out to Huntsville to look at marble samples. We’ll need to do that before the backsplash.”
“Hell yes! It’ll be like a cute little domestic date!”
“I still have plans to take you on a real date like I promised,” I remind him with a smirk.
He puts the tile down very carefully just outside of the bathroom before facing me with a huge grin. “Well, you know me. I have a very busy schedule; mini donkeys to love, I’m such a huge help on Liam and Blake’s farm, busy, busy, busy. You need to schedule those plans.”
