Page 434 of Dark Love

Couples usually fight for closet space… are we a couple?

Dahlia is mine. Nothing else matters.

She starts to stir. Gently, I rub circles across her back to help her settle. It’s worked several times through the morning, even though it’s pure torture.

Instead of settling back into sleep, she lets out a small noise that’s a cross between a mew and a whine.

After years of practice, I’m able to stay in one spot without moving for hours on end, but this is the first time I’ve ever enjoyed being stuck in one spot.

Though what sane man wouldn’t kill to be right where I am, drinking in the perfume of Dahlia’s silky hair? The light coconut and berry scent reminds me of a tropical drink.

Does she want to go on an island vacation?

Dahlia in a bikini… I’d rent a private island to spend a week with her in a bikini. Rented islands come with staff. I’d buy the island. We could stay there all alone for weeks, doing nothing but—

“What time is it?” Dahlia whispers into my chest.

“Almost noon.”

“Really?” She lifts her head up and pushes her hair out of her face.

The wild mused tresses dance around her face, enthralling me. “You must have had a long day yesterday.”

Her head flops down on my chest. “Can we stay in bed all day?”

Does she really think I’m going to say no to that? “Absolutely. Right after I make us brunch.”

“You know if you keep spoiling me like this, I’m never going to let you leave.”

That’s what I’m hoping. Maybe that way when you find out the truth about me, you’ll be in so deep you won’t want to run away. “You in the mood for anything?”

“Hmmm.” Her nose crinkles as she ponders the decision. “We could just have ice cream.”

I can’t help the chuckle. “For that, I’m going to make you an omelet with veggies in it.”

“Oh, the horror. Whatever will I do? Do you know bacon goes really well with eggs and so does sausage and ham?”

How can a woman be that cute? “Careful now or I’ll make you a protein shake.”

“I’m shaking in my boots.”

With laughter maybe. That stubborn woman doesn’t fear me at all. “You should be.” I lift her away from my body before any fleeting willpower I might have left deserts me and I kiss that button nose of hers before I fall into her lips.

“Nah. You’re a teddy bear.”

Bears have claws.

***

It’s easy to see why Dahlia bought this place. I stir the veggies in the frying pan and give her hot cocoa a few flicks of the whisk. This is a place to settle down. A little piece of the burbs in the city. There’s just enough space for a family. With a sharp crack on the counter, I break an egg into the bowl. Six eggs should be enough for the two of us.

My phone alerts me to an incoming message.

Ignore it.

But it’s not the phone that I can ignore.

Dyce: Call me.

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