Page 255 of Dark Love

Now Dahlia is that treasure. “I’d be insulted if you didn’t.”

“Um… So, I was thinking…”

If it doesn’t involve more kissing, I’m not sure I want to think about it today.

“You could put some of your books in my library, too. Maybe part of your to-be-read list or any books you might want to reread. And…”

I had already planned to do that, so it’s good she wants my stuff in her place. “And?”

“I love your place. It’s beautifully decorated. And I don’t want to change it, but…”

“Just say it, Dahl. What do you want?”

“Throw pillows and some blankets. I get chilly and I would like some things to make your place warmer.”

Warmer. Comfortable. Those are terms a woman would use when they describe a home. Dahlia wants to do more than sleep in my place. She wants to move in. To make it her home. “Sure, add whatever you like, Dahl.” The urge to kiss her wins out over patience. I set her down on her feet and brace my own across two steps, then nudge her with my body until she’s pressed up against the wall. “Rule change.”

“Huh?”

Her breathy question draws me in until my lips are inches from hers and my hands are flat on the wall to keep us steady, even if I lose myself in her lips. “I can kiss you when we’re on the stairs.” That’s all the warning she gets before my lips entrap hers.

***

“So, can we spend the rest of the afternoon right here kissing?” Dahlia leans back, panting slightly.

“Sounds good to me.” If anyone comes in with news other than they found Marlie, I’ll toss them out.

Dahlia taps her finger on my arm as her eyes roam around my office. “You know, a couple of throw pillows and a blanket would look really nice on this couch.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Why not?”

Ignore the little pout. You are stronger than her pout. “Because I deal with scary people in here, and they aren’t going to be scared of me if I have crocheted pillows and a floral quilt on the corner of my couches.”

She giggles and I’m tempted to give in.

Shock burst into my office. “Did you know—”

Dahlia wiggles out of my arms.

And now I have someone to kill. I hop up off the couch and get into Shock’s face. “Don’t ever do that again.”

His eyes move from me to Dahlia and back again. “Sorry. I…” He clears his throat. “I didn’t know if you heard the second call.”

What second call? I turn to Dahlia. “Is there something you forgot to tell me about?”

Her hand starts to tremble. I walk over to the couch and kneel down in front of her. “What second call?”

“It’s nothing.”

When she says it like that, it’s definitely not. Earlier she said don’t hurt me. “Did someone threaten you?”

“It’s not serious.”

Yeah, no. I’m deadly serious now.

“Everyone at the call center gets idiots like this, that call on occasion. They never amount to anything. Well, almost never amount to anything.”

---