Page 79 of A Smooth Operator

"I love you too."

"Good."

It felt damn good to hear her say those words. After what I had done and how I treated her, I didn't think the universe would give me this chance, this amazing opportunity to be loved by the woman whom I loved with my whole heart.

"Can we go slow?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

No, not really. I fully intended for us to move in together as soon as possible. I'd pretend to go slow, just move a few things in, and then slowly, I'd be living here with her. I decided that was the best way to deal with Echo. And after that, I'd slowly get her comfortable with the idea of getting engaged and then getting married.

Or maybe I could knock her up and hurry the process. I had no qualms about doing that because Echo would be an amazing mother—and it was one of those things she was afraid to hope for. I'd give her a family. I'd give her everything she ever thought she couldn't have.

"Sure."

She threw her arms around me, straddling me. "I love you."

Two months later

"Remi, why is your mail coming here, honey?" Echo asked as she sorted the post into piles for her, me, and throwaways.

"I don't know." Because I live here?

"Weird. These are your credit card statements."

I took the envelopes and beat a quick retreat into her guest bedroom that I had converted into a study with all my stuff.

She followed me and looked around the office.

"Remi, I got a question, honey."

I put the envelopes down on the desk. "Yeah, Baby Doll."

"Have you moved in with me?"

I wasn't sure how she'd react, so I hugged her first. Kissed her, so she was distracted. And then, and only then said, "Yeah, Doll, I've moved in with you."

She smirked. "You moved in four weeks ago, and you're telling me now?"

"You've known for a month?"

"Yeah, Mr. Smooth Operator." She tapped the side of her head. "High IQ here. You think I didn't see how all your stuff is in my house. For God's sake, you moved your leather chair into my living room."

"Well, that's because you don't have an armchair and I wanted—"

"Remi, how long were you going to pretend you weren't living here?"

I shrugged. "Another few weeks, or," she arched an eyebrow and I sighed, "Fine, I wasn't plannin' on tellin' you."

"Seriously?"

"Doll, I knew you'd panic and go apeshit." Shit, she was going to freak out some more when she found out I paid off her mortgage, and starting next month, she didn't have house payments. Yeah, that would be a fight.

Echo just flung her hands up. "You know, I think one of these days, I'll be married to you, and I won't know when the hell it happened."

I smiled at her, and she groaned. "Is that your plan?"

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