Page 107 of Love Him Like Water

Nico’s gaze was hard as he looked at me.

“I’ll do everything in my power to do right by her this time,” I told him.

He must have picked up on the sincerity in my voice, because he nodded.

But his hand raised, touching his lower lip.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice,” he said, glancing over at his sister as she came back.

“That’s already been handled,” I told him, watching as understanding sank in. “You got questions about it, we can talk,” I said.

“Maybe we can have Nico over for dinner,” Lore said, sensing a tension between us, and forcing a little more cheer into her voice.

“Of course we can,” I agreed.

“You’re cooking?” Nico asked, brows raised, like that was surprising.

“Yeah.”

“Then I’ll definitely be there,” he said, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. “Just tell me a date and time.”

“I will. And I’ll text you when I get home,” she said, the words easing the tension in her brother’s shoulders.

“Good. I’ll wait on that,” he said. “Love you, Lore.”

“Love you more,” she said, smiling at him.

“Not fucking possible,” he said, shaking his head. “And you…” he said, gaze shifting to me. “You take care of her.”

“I will,” I vowed, nodding, then turning with Lore toward the elevator.

“He’s a little… overprotective,” Lore said as we made our way into the elevator car.

“He should be over you,” I said, reaching out to drop my arm on her shoulders, feeling the way she immediately curled into me, like this was what she’d been aching for all along. “Thanks for giving me another chance, mouse.”

“You owe me and Elian frozen mocha coffees,” she said, snuggling in even closer.

“I’ll buy you the fucking coffee shop if you want it.”

“That’s not necessary,” she said, but a playful smile was tugging at her lips. “A bookstore, though…”

“What’s in those books you’re always reading?” I asked.

“Fantasy, court intrigue, princes, knights, fae, romance, and…” she trailed off, cheeks going pink.

Looking down, a smile spread across my face.

“And fucking?” I asked, watching her go even redder. “Oh, mouse, I think you might need to start reading these books to me.”

She shook her head at me, thinking I was playing. But I suddenly decided I needed to hear her read out a sex scene to me. While I tasted her sweet pussy. While I was buried deep inside of her.

“Hey,” she said, though, breaking the fantasy, as she spotted Elian waiting for us.

“Hey, Mrs. Lombardi, good to see you again,” he said, getting a big smile from her.

“Renzo is going to replace our coffees on the way home,” she told him.

“He’d better,” Elian agreed, giving her a big smile as he opened the door for her.