Page 74 of Tangled in Vows

I never said anything about a crush.

Uh-huh. Sure.

I shake my head at my crazy thoughts.

You need to know what happened back then. That’s the main obstacle between you.

I know I need to ask him. Soon. Without Archer around. That’s not a conversation I want to have in front of anyone.

Holden leans his shoulder against the wall, crossing one foot over the other. And damn it, I can’t help the heat that blooms in my stomach. It’s slightly embarrassing, and I’m glad he can’t see my body’s reaction to such a mundane thing as him leaning against the wall because this is slightly obnoxious. He already dares to look good enough to eat without doing any extra hot things. Next thing I know, he’ll be rolling up his sleeves or start dirty talking to me. My body is clearly in charge of my feelings for him.

He crosses his bulky arms over his chest, and I inwardly groan. He’s totally doing this on purpose. He has to be. I swear there’s even a twinkle in his eyes.

Warmth seeps into my cheeks, and he raises a brow in response.

“Sooooo.”

He draws out the word, giving me a much-needed moment to collect myself.

“Do you approve of this place?”

His question surprises me, and I blink a few times. I’m sure I imagined the hint of vulnerability in his eyes. “It’s beautiful, Holden.”

“Good.” He pushes off the wall. “Let’s return to the city and pack your stuff then.”

“Right now?”

“Yeah, why not? We can get the essentials today and the rest in a few days.”

We’re both silent until the words tumble out of my mouth.

“You’re sure you want me to move into your house?”

You told him you’d move if he thought it was safer.

Yes, but at that point, I didn’t realize I’d be moving in with him. I thought we might rent a random place or something.

Moving in with Holden is a big deal. It’s more than just sharing the same place with him as we did in my condo. This ishishouse. It changes the circumstances. The rules. Right?

I could continue living in my condo, but now that I’ve seen this place—the vast property and how much Stormy enjoys it—it’s almost impossible to decline. He also has a state-of-the-art studio. The studio he built. For me.

Maybe that was his way of apologizing to you?

Either way, it’s absolutely beautiful—the entire house is. The only difference from us sharing my condo would be the bonus of more space for Stormy and me—a pool, an entire property, where I don’t need to worry about paparazzi getting pictures of me.

We’d be safer and more comfortable here than in the city for now. And if I need to go back, it’s only about forty miles away.

“Stop thinking so much. I can practically hear your thoughts.” He steps closer. “And yes, I’m sure I want you here.”

I inhale deeply and blow out my breath. Then I say, “Okay.”

He briefly closes his eyes as if I just said something profound and nods. “Do you want to take Stormy back with us or have her stay here with Archer?”

I stare at the spot near the patio doors where Stormy has curled up on a large dog bed. Holden got a dog bed for her. While her eyes are still open, they’re definitely droopy. “Will he be here the entire time we’re gone?”

“As far as I know, yeah.”

I nod. “Then she can stay. If that’s okay with him.”

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