Page 104 of Audiophile

I stroke his soft hair, and he melts into me. “You could tell me now.”

He shakes his head. “Later.”

“Thank you for telling me, Reed. For being honest and vulnerable, for sharing when I’m sure it’s not easy. I know you haven’t been taken seriously, but I hear you. Believe you. We’ve got Darin on our side, too. Maybe he can help us make a case against her.”

“Us?”

“Us. You are incredibly tough and unbelievably brave,tesoro mio.You’re going to have a life where you don’t have to worry about her, with someone who sees you and loves you for all that you are. Who ishappyto share you, because you have infinite love to give to the world. I’ll make it happen—whether we’re together or not. I see you, Reed. You see my scars and I see yours, and I will do all I can to help you heal them.”

“Pet—” He chokes on my name as I rub my hand over his back. Reed presses us together until there is no space between us. Each breath is shared. Every brush of lashes, tense muscle, heartbeat—they muddle together until I can’t tell what’s mine or his. “I’d endure it all again just to meet you.”

Chapter thirty-nine

Petra

After tears turn intoaffectionate whispers and chaste kisses, we manage to pull ourselves together.

Reed and I grab our things from the car and take a tour of the upstairs to drop them off in the master bedroom. We spend the afternoon unpacking. Each box is a peek into Reed’s life as we move things into the house. His furniture is more about comfort than aesthetic, and since most of the heavy lifting is already done, we’re able to get most of the boxes stacked up in various rooms.

Reed orders takeout while we unbox his vinyl record collection, and when it arrives, he puts on his favorite, and tugs me into the kitchen. Once I’m stuffed, Reed pulls me to him, and we sway to the music in the sunshine. “I’m so glad you’re here, Pet.”

I close my eyes and hide my smile against his shoulder. After a few more songs, I let him go. “We should probably keep unpacking. I swear I saw some baby albums in a box in the living room that are calling my name.”

“I saw some boxes that definitely need to be moved up to the bedroom,” Reed counters with a smirk. His hand comes down playfully on my ass, and I squeal. “Come help me.”

I roll my eyes at him and head to the storage pod to grab another set of boxes to bring inside. Reed groans, but follows.

“We can change anything you want, Petra,” he notes as we bring the boxes inside. “If you don’t like the—”

He’s skipping steps, and I halt in the entryway, blushing. “I’m sleeping on a twin bed, with a desk older thanI am. I have no room to talk when it comes to decor. It’s your house. You should decorate it the way you like.”

He brushes against my back as he moves past me, toward the stairs. “My house for now,” he murmurs, with a barely there feather of his lips against my cheek. He sends tingles everywhere. I must blush harder, because Reed chuckles, slow and deep, and heads to the second floor.

I lean against the wall, giggling, my knees weak.

“Bonus points for the house,” Reed calls from the bedroom. “Your laugh echoes beautifully up the stairs.”

I grin and squeeze my eyes shut, an overwhelming joy sweeping through me. I don’t care what anyone says about speed, timing, or realistic expectations. I’ve never been this happy with someone.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, still grinning, and put it on speakerphone while I move a box to the kitchen. “Hi Livi.”

“Hey. Tommy’s here too. We want an update. How’s your man?”

“Your man?” Reed asks as he sneaks up behind me. “I like the sound of that.”

“Gross,” Tommy groans.

“They encourage each other,” I complain to Tommy. “At least now you have to listen, too.”

“What’s the story with crazy pants?” Livi asks.

“That one’s accurate too,” Reed mutters with a grimace. “She won’t stop calling, but she can’t find us here.”

“Troni, send me the address?” Tommy asks.

“Sure.” Tommy is overprotective but, with Kinley this upset, better safe than sorry. I pull up my text messages. “Sending it to you right now. I’m going to stay here tonight, and then I’ll check in with you guys in the morning.”

“Okay. Glad you and your family are safe, Reed. Take care of my sister,” Livi warns.

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