Page 152 of The Price of Forever

“It’s been a slow process settling in. But I think this could be home for a long time. I’m gonna need some wooden spoons as a finishing touch, though.” I smiled up at him as he strode over to me and squeezed the sides of my arms.

“I can handle that,” he said. “Specially carved, just for you. Though I might have already started on your kitchen collection.” His phone vibrated, and he sneaked a peek at it. “You okay if Trojan swings by for a visit? He just turned the evidence into the SEC, and he wants to say bye.”

I slumped a little. A lot happened while I was in the hospital. Not only did Seven lose his job, leaving him adrift and scrambling to pick up the pieces, but he and Trojan had been preparing the evidence we’d gathered over the last couple of weeks to submit it to the Office of the Inspector General. They were under the strict guidance of Federico at every turn to ensure the highest chance of success. And now Trojan was off to his next assignment in Louisiana. I felt like I was losing a friend.

“Yeah. I’d love to say bye to him before he leaves.” I drifted to the coffeemaker, ready to prepare my brew and Seven’s tea. “And to thank him for all his help with this. I can’t believe he’s turned everything in already.”

“You okay if I have him bring my bag?”

Seven’s question hung oddly in the air. I looked over my shoulder at him, surprised to find him looking so vulnerable.

“You mean…to stay with me here?” I asked.

He nodded.

“Of course.” Another grin broke out. I’d done nothing but smile since we’d left the hospital, and it felt wrong to be this happy when the rest of my life was slowly disintegrating. I had a stable, safe apartment. I had a stable, safe partner. Holy shit.

If this were me three months ago, I would have called this the unattainable dream. But now, I knew there were more components of the perfect life worth fighting for. And it involved my family. I’d reunited with Axel and Damian, and my bonus brother, Trace. I’d gained three almost-sisters. I didn’t want to lose them all just when I’d begun to count on them as part of my future.

“It’s cute you thought you had to ask,” I said, returning to my task at the coffee machine. He approached from behind, wrapping his arms around me as I loaded the grounds.

“Didn’t want to assume,” he murmured into the top of my head. Just then, a knock on the door sounded. Seven’s face lit up. “Let me get that.”

He hurried to the door, revealing a delivery person holding a bouquet of flowers in a glass vase. After a quick thank-you and a tip, Seven was back at my side, presenting me with the bursting bouquet of dahlias.

“These are for you. My very overdue housewarming gift. One of many to come.”

I fought tears as I accepted them, admiring the gorgeous blooms. “You’re the first man to ever buy me flowers.”

“Now that you said that, I’ll have to make this a frequent occurrence,” he said.

“Did my brothers kick you out of your place?” I asked as I set the vase on the countertop, selecting the perfect location

“No. I’m renting it on my own now. But I thought we both might like sharing an apartment again, for a little bit at least.”

“You’re the only person in the world I can say that about.” I turned around to face him. He hooked his hands beneath my thighs, hoisting me onto the kitchen countertop. I giggled, wrapping my arms around his neck. “That didn’t take long.”

“I planned on doing it in the hallway until you ruined the vibe,” he teased, nuzzling my neck.

Laughter cascaded out of me as his mouth drifted higher, our lips finally meeting in soft, exploratory kisses. He pushed at the hem of my sweatshirt, bunching it around my waist as his hands slid hot and seeking underneath. I’d had my brothers bring a few basics to me in the hospital—not even a bra. Seven’s hands coasted over my bare chest, leaving sparks in their wake.

“Mmmm.” He grinned through a kiss as he massaged my breasts, running his thumbs over my tight nipples. “God, I’ve missed you.”

“Don’t lie. You staged this whole spy mission just so my brothers would fire you and you could fondle my naked breasts without issue, right?” I wiggled my hips against him as he filled the space between my legs.

“Guity.” His deep laugh rippled through me, filling me with something so simple and satisfying that I hardly knew how to share it with him. It was like his mere presence filled all the places inside me that ached for acknowledgement. There was no other way to feel around Seven but complete. I shivered through our kisses, ready to say the three words that I felt in my heart every day for this man.

But he spoke first, breaking the kiss. “Jordan, what do you want?”

“You,” I blurted.

A sexy grin curled at his lips. “I mean, do you want to eat? Do you want to sleep? Do you want me to fuck you senseless in the morning light?”

“I love all of those options, but I’ll take C, please. And let’s do it in the shower. I want to wash the hospital off while we’re at it.”

He scooped me into his arms, heading for the nearest door.

“That’s the pantry,” I whispered.

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