Page 121 of Beyond the Hate

I furrow my brow. “What do you mean? You gave me a key.”

What an argument it took for her to give me that key. She used every stalling technique in the universe.I’m not ready. It’s too soon. We need to slow down.

I was ready to move in together after she said she loved me at my birthday party. Paisley has other ideas about how fast our relationship should go. Which is why I’m hurrying things along on my own.

She crosses her arms over her chest. “You’re not fooling me.”

“Sorry, Lace. You’re going to have to explain. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She lifts an eyebrow. “No idea? That’s the excuse you’re going for?”

I raise my hands. “What’s up with you? I’ve been waiting for you in your house when you came home from work before.”

“You know damn well your presence in my house is not why I’m annoyed.”

Crap. She figured me out. I should have known I couldn’t fool her. Paisley is the most intelligent and observant woman I know.

But I’m not giving in. I can be just as stubborn as she is.

“I do?” I scratch my chin.

She throws her arms in the air with a huff. “If you won’t admit it, I’ll show you the proof.”

She spins around and marches to the bedroom. I trail after her. Of all the days for her to catch me.

Paisley scans her bedroom before getting to her knees and searching under the bed. I debate several excuses but it’s no use. She knows exactly what’s happening here.

She drags the suitcase out and sets it on the bed. “Do you want to explain?”

“Do I have to?”

“No. But an explanation would be nice.”

I sigh. Time to lay my heart on the line. I sit on the bed and grasp her hands. I tug until she’s forced to straddle me.

“I want you to live with me.”

She purses her lips. “I’m well aware of this since you make an underhanded comment about us not living together at least twice a day.”

“Twice a day?”

“Yesterday morning you remarked how it would be easier to drive together to work if we were living in the same house. And then, at lunch, you claimed if we were living together we could go home for a quickie.”

My cock twitches. We didn’t go home for a quickie. Instead, I trapped her in her office and took her against the wall. It was awesome. Every time with Paisley is awesome. Sex with her gets better and better every time. It’s amazing.

“I’m not wrong.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “I’ve explained how I’m not ready to move in together.”

I lay my palm on her cheek. “No, Lace. You’ve made excuses because you’re scared.”

Her eyes narrow. “I am not scared.”

I lean close. “Prove it.”

Her eyes spit daggers at me. “You are not going to dare me into moving together.”

Damn. It was worth a try. It’s worked before.

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