Page 97 of Love or Tequila in Unexpected Places

Angelo’s mind filled with all the ways that wasn’t true. Her protruding belly topped the list.

Allison’s head snapped back to face him so fast he worried she’d get whiplash. Her eyes met his once more, and a furious blush spread across her cheeks. That shade of red was quickly becoming his second favorite color—right after jade green.

“You don’t actually know me, Angelo. Just because we had sex once months ago does not mean you know me,” Allison insisted, and suddenly he wanted nothing more than prove her wrong.

“Well that’s not true at all. I know your middle name is Pink because your mom loved the color. I know you have three overprotective older brothers that make you feel suffocated at times.”

Allison opened her mouth to argue, but he pressed on before she could speak.

“I know you’re strong, and mindful, and kind, but you still blush at the tiniest bit of praise.” Her cheeks darkened further, proving his point. “I know you drink your latte lukewarm because you think the milk tastes better that way, and you always pair it with a muffin because it enhances the taste.” A shocked look crossed her face, but Angelo wasn’t done. “I know you fidget with your thumbs when you’re nervous, and you scrunch your nose when you’re unhappy.” He was ramblingnow, but he didn’t care. “I know you’re protective of our daughter, and you care for her more than you care for yourself. And I know for a fact that you, Allison Pink Lockwood, will be anamazingmother.”

Unshed tears shimmered in her eyes as she stared at him, and Angelo felt a surge of pride. Even if she didn’t believe in herself, he had managed to make her see herself through his eyes, if only for a fleeting moment. He planned on making her view herself that way all the time, but it was a good start.

Suddenly, she was right in front of him, her gaze so intense he thought he might burst into flames.

“I know you,” he whispered as she moved closer. He stayed still, letting her come to him. “And I’d like to know all of you.”

“What does that mean?” she whispered, her eyes darting between his lips and eyes. Shivers ran down his spine as he remembered the feel of her lips against his.

He considered telling her the full truth—that he couldn’t stop thinking about her, that every second away from her made him weak, that he was hers completely and she was his, his,his.

But instead, he simply said, “Move in with me.”

She was so close now, he could almost taste her, but he still didn’t reach for her. Didn’t breath.

He couldn’t, not if it would push her away like it had the last time in his car. That had been excruciating for him. He had been too lost in his own head and desires, completely missing her discomfort. He’d never hated himself more than he had that day, loathing how he made her feel violated. He had spent the following week trying to apologize, but she had avoided him.

And for good reason.

He hated how he lost control around her, but he was also losing the will to fight it.

“Move in with me,” he repeated in a whisper. Her nose brushed against his, their breaths mingling, and yet he remained still.

“I…” She trailed off, her gaze stuck on his mouth. She licked her lips, brushing against his in the process. Angelo trembled with the effort it took not to grab her and slam his mouth on hers.

Give me something, sweet girl.

Anything.

Angelo’s breathing grew heavy as he focused on every flutter of her eyelashes, every deep inhale. She was just as affected by this as he was, and he desperately needed to kiss her.

He opened his mouth to ask her—

Suddenly, a loud ringtone shattered the moment—a silly tune he vaguely recognized. They flinched apart.

Allison pulled back, inching away as she grabbed her phone with an apologetic glance.

“Sorry, it’s Johnny,” she panted, still affected by their moment.

That man is dead.

Twenty-Four

ALLISON

WhentheAngelo Taylor asked Allison to move in with him, she felt nothing but disbelief. How big were this man’s balls, that he asked her something like that with her brothers still in the building?

She should’ve kicked him out the second he suggested such a wild idea, but… she didn’t. After her phone call with her brother Johnathan—who she fully intended to cockblock in retaliation—she mumbled an excuse about needing to help him and promptly bolted out of her apartment.

---