Page 20 of Not Ready

At least not yet.

She guides me toward the open door, and I focus on the pride that fills my chest at knowing she’s not afraid to drag me along behind her.

I’m well and truly fucked, and I’m not even a little ashamed of that fact.

“Whenever you get the chance, do you think you could grab my clothes? It feels weird walking around someone else’s house without a bra,” she whispers, blinking up at me with her big blue eyes.

See, now I just need to figure out how to warm her to the idea that this is our house.

Chapter Eight

Vale

Bishop and I eat at a table that’s big enough for probably ten people. I’m guessing it’s the formal dining room or something, but my impulses would have been happier at the small breakfast nook off the kitchen.

Still, Bishop puts me at ease in a way that’s difficult to understand.

It’s a major transition, going from knowing each other on a subscription website to actually being face-to-face.

Or it should be, right?

And yet, outside of the instinct to nest, due to being in an unfamiliar environment, I’m not uncomfortable.

It’s strange seeing exactly how many people live here. Actually, I don’t know that they all live here. This might be the hub for their business, and the guys who are constantly coming in and out are just employees.

It’s difficult to be sure.

After we finish, Bishop cleans up the table and brings me back upstairs.

“Would you like to settle in? Or we could watch a movie?” he offers, scratching his thick beard.

My gaze moves to the bathroom that connects our rooms. “Um, yeah. It’s still pretty early. That sounds nice. I just need to run to the restroom first.”

“Sounds like a plan.” He moves close to the wall, kicking off his boots. He yanks at the back of his neck, pulling off his T-shirt, and I blink at the bulging lines of muscle framing his chest and arms. He has a thick build with a soft stomach, but it’s clear he’s incredibly strong. “Did you need something? I was going to change out of my jeans while you’re in there.”

“Oh, sorry.” My head shakes as my face gets warm. I take off without a backward glance.

“What are you in the mood for?” Bishop asks, nodding to the other side of the bed. “Come on. Get comfortable.”

“I’m good with anything, but especially action or thrillers.” I climb on the bed and stack up the pillows on my side. I already know it’s going to be a struggle to sit up without my pregnancy pillow. My lower back always hurts. So do my hips, but that part isn’t so bad when I’m sitting or lying down.

I get a couple pillows positioned and roll from side to side, wiggling my back, until they’re reasonably situated. My head falls back against the wooden bed frame, but this is about as good as it’s going to get.

“Well, that was an entire process. I noticed you didn’t bring your pregnancy pillow.” Bishop yanks one of the pillows from behind his head and nods to me. “Lean up for me.”

I follow his instructions. He jams the pillow behind my upper back and head. I exhale in relief as I lean back, and it offers the perfect amount of support for my shoulders.

“Thank you, but I feel bad taking all your pillows.”

“I’m good. Now, you said an action movie? Really? Are you just trying to be polite?” He chuckles, holding his head up on his palm.

“Horror is out because it’s been a long day. Comedy would be fine. Maybe a mystery, too, if there are no creepy stalkers involved…” I grimace at the thought of Andrew.

“Agreed, no mystery movies tonight. Aren’t you a romantic comedy fan?” He references something I said probably a year ago.

My gaze falls to my swollen stomach as my hand runs over Aurora.

Yeah, I used to be a big fan of romance and romantic comedy movies. Maybe a little too invested, considering I thought Cooper was possibly my movie hero brought to life. Which was so extremely gullible that I don’t like admitting it to myself.

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