Page 141 of Echoes of Us

“You get groceries, cook and clean. This place has never looked better. I can fire the cleaning lady—who, I’m sure, already quit—and save on that cost. It works out. Plus, this place is mine. I don’t pay rent. I don’t want you to fall behind on schoolwork because you’re trying to pay for stuff that’s already taken care of. Let me take care of you, just like you take care of me.” His tone was gentle.

“I guess I still have a while to think about it.”

“Yeah, you do,” he replied, kissing my cheek. His lips lingered on my skin.

“Could we get furniture?” I asked, and the corners of his eyes crinkled with affection.

“We could get furniture now if you want. We don’t have to wait till next term to do it.”

I smiled and rested my chin on his shoulder. “It’s just a little depressing here sometimes. I bet you’d feel better if it was fixed up, if it felt more like home. We could go to Ikea,” I suggested.

Noah murmured a laugh. “See? You take care of me,” he said softly.

“So, you wouldn’t mind if I moved in with them until next term?”

He sighed. “You know you’d be living with Ezra?”

“I’m aware.”

“He hates me, Atty. I couldn’t ever go to your place. It’s weird.”

I reached my hand to his neck, feeling his chain cold against my hand. “You can’t stay mad at each other. You’re my boyfriend and Ezra’s my friend. You have to make up,” I told him.

Noah rolled his eyes.

“I’m serious, Noah. You have to make up.”

He wanted to dig his heels.

“What if he apologized for the things he said about your dad? Would that make it better?”

“If he promises to play nice, I’ll follow suit. For you.”

“Okay.”

“So, you’re doing this? You’re moving in with them?”

“Maybe. I still have to figure out how to pay for it or work out some kind of agreement.”

He parted his lips.

“I’m not going to let you cover it,” I said quickly, and he closed his mouth.

“Could I stay over?”

“Sure, but we’d still spend some nights alone, right?”

“Aren’t you going to miss the pretzel sleeping?” he asked with a coy smile.

“I’ll really miss it,” I said.

He grinned. He tightened his legs around my hips and wrapped his arms around my neck. He kissed me slowly and lingering, just the way he knew would turn me into putty in his arms. I kissed him back, and he arched against me as I placed my hands on his back.

“I love the way your hands feel on me, Atty,” he said, his voice almost a purr.

His chest pressed against mine as he moved his hips to the edge of the counter. He pulled me by my waist, getting his tongue past my lips and taking my breath away. He rubbed his leg over me, and his hips moved towards mine. I stopped kissing him and raised my eyebrows. He smiled while running his tongue over his lip.

“What?” he asked playfully. I looked down between us and back to his eyes.

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