Page 155 of The Keeper

“Promise?”

“Maybe.” He kissed my forehead, climbed out of bed and stretched his long, toned arms over his head. All his muscles tightened and relaxed, rippling beneath his inked skin.

I watched his naked body walk toward the kitchen and flopped back on the bed for a minute.

That man loves me, I thought with a smile, getting up and grabbing something to wear from my closet. He’d already set out plates and napkins on the island counter when I sauntered up to him. He was still shirtless but had his jeans on.

“Look at you, all domesticated.”

“Don’t get used to it,” he laughed. “This is the extent of my talents.”

“I’ll try keep my expectations low,” I grinned, getting a couple of glasses. “Wine?”

“Not really a wine guy.”

I rolled my eyes. “Pardon me. Would you prefer beer? Water? Bourbon? Gin? I can go on.”

“Bourbon is fine. Do you have bangers and mash too? Maybe some Yorkshire pudding?”

“Do I detect sass?”

“Whatever do you mean?” A playful grin lit up his face.

“This grin,” I said.

“What about it?”

“It’ll get you into trouble.” I walked over to plant a kiss on him.

“That didn’t feel like trouble.”

“No? What did it feel like?”

“Like you love me, too,” he said with conviction, pulling me closer.

“I do.” I kissed him again.

“Still didn’t feel like trouble,” he smirked, playing with my hair.

“The night is young,” I said, wriggling out of his arms and grabbing a bottle of Eagle Rare.

I poured two glasses.

“I’ve not had this one,” he remarked, taking a sip. “Oh wow.”

“Right?” I smiled. “One of my favorites.”

I went over to the fridge to get some ranch dressing and a small bowl from the cabinet.

This whole day had been filled with emotion and revelations. But there was still one important subject I had to address before he went back home.

I eyed the diary we’d found in storage sitting on my coffee table. I had to tell him about the fight. The man sat on a hard floor digging through boxes with me all afternoon. He at least deserved to know the whole story before I finally see what led to the end.

“What are you doing to that pizza crust?” Xavier’s baffled expression was too precious.

I dunked it into the small condiment bowl filled with ranch dressing. “Giving it some personality.” I grinned before taking a bite. “So good.”

“May I?”

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