Page 160 of Hot for Hostage

Eventually, our cuddling was cut short when it was time to feed the dogs breakfast.

“What time does Emily usually get here?” Davian asked as he helped me to my feet.

I straightened his borrowed jacket on my shoulders and blinked up at him, trying to think of a reason he would ever need to know our receptionist’s work hours. “Not for another half hour. Why?”

“Just need her to put the papers together for an adoption.”

My brow wrinkled, and I was slightly concerned for his sanity as I looked around the empty lobby. “But there aren’t any visitors. No one’s here to adopt yet.”

Davian’s lips twitched. After a long moment of him watching me expectantly, it hit me.

My jaw dropped. “…You?You’re here to adopt a dog?”

Davian’s answering smirk told me he was enjoying this far too much. “I’m here to get my girl, but I understand she’s a package deal.”

My heart skipped a beat at being calledhisagain, but that took a backseat to what else Davian was saying.

“…You want to adopt Bear?” I asked, struggling to wrap my mind around that.

“I wantusto adopt Bear,” he corrected, the amusement in his eyes growing. “Together.”

“Shared custody?” The words sounded robotic, but I had no idea how to feel. It felt dangerous to hope. “That’s… Wow. That’s big. But that might be hard on him to move between homes, and my housing doesn’t allow dogs?—”

“It’s a good thing you’re not going back to that shithole, then.”

The simple statement broke my brain.

That wasn’t… He couldn’t possibly be… I swallowed around a suddenly dry throat. “Are you trying to ask me something?”

His smirk only grew more insufferable as he closed the distance between us, settled his hands on my hips, and loweredhis voice. “I think it’s my turn to takeyouhostage. Move in with me?”

A nervous laugh escaped me. The idea of moving in with a man I’d just met was crazy—ludicrous, even—but it was also unbelievably exciting.

And I’d get to keep Bear.

A rush of emotion clogged my throat, cutting off my laughter, and I couldn’t find any words. My heart threatened to explode.

Davian must’ve taken my silence for hesitation, because he squeezed my hips. “I want you safe, Sadie. Besides, living together has its own benefits for our crime partnership—the most selfish one that I want you in my bed every night. And every morning.”

Well, then.

My body had no business getting hot all over at those words.

“It’s a big step,” I hedged. I couldn’t imagine what my parents would say about me moving in with a man I’d just met. Let alone one in the mafia.

And Gladys would have a field day with this.

“Think of all the baking you could do with those stand mixers you like so much,” Davian added, his tone cajoling. “And you can swim in the pool every day.”

A warm, fuzzy feeling took root in my chest.

Thinking about baking in his gourmet kitchen whenever I wanted towasa lovely thought. I wasn’t too proud to admit his pool was a major selling point, too.

But most of all, I wanted to sleep in Davian’s arms again tonight. And maybe all the nights after.

“Okay.” I grinned, throwing caution to the wind. I’d never been one to hold back before, so why start now? “Let’s do it.”

His grip flexed on my hips, but Davian cleared his throat before I could get too excited.

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