Page 112 of Give Me Love

I toss my keys and phone onto the kitchen island. “No.”

“Some guy was murdered last night. Not too far from here.”

I narrow my eyes and look at the TV screen. Holy fuck. It’s the guy I tossed out last night. I scratch my chin. What the hell happened when I left? I look down the room at the clock on my nightstand, seeing it’s after nine. Ben and Simon should be at Red.

“They don’t know who did it,” she says.

I lift my brow and look at her. She has no idea how she looks right now. I want her to shower with me, but it looks like she’s already done that. I love that she’s making herself at home. Like this is every day for us.

She stands up and goes to walk past me. I grab her arm, stopping her. “I…” My throat catches, and I stop myself.

Get a grip, Grant.

What the hell were you about to say?

I love you?

The thought makes my heart beat harder than the workout I just did. Maybe we need to step back a second, but Lou comes to mind, and I think about how good this shit has been.

Why would I want to step back? I rub a hand over my head.

“You all right?” she asks with a slight smirk.

“Yeah. I’m going to take a shower.” I pull her to me and lean down to kiss her. Her mouth tastes like Fruity Pebbles, and it makes me smile.

“Okay,” she says, giving me another quick peck. “And then I need to go home. I’ve got to get out of your briefs and shirt.” She walks to the kitchen, and I look down.

“My briefs?” I ask.

“Well, yeah. I didn’t have any clean underwear.”

“Right.” I rub the back of my neck. “I’ll take you home.”

“Thanks,” she says, putting her bowl into the sink and turning the faucet on.

I watch as she washes the bowl before telling myself to stop looking at her like she’s a fucking sideshow.

I see evidence she’s been in the bathroom, with her body towel hung up on the hook and the shower door still dripping.

This is odd for me. It’s always been Jace and me. Shit, I hope he doesn’t come over right now. With that thought, I hurry and shower so I can get Kathrine home to put some damn clothes on.

_____________

“What are you going to do today?” I ask Kathrine as we head to her and Claire’s place. The streets are busy like always and traffic is a pain like every day.

“I’ll probably stop by the shop in a bit and check the stock. Make sure we have enough of everything for the week. Just little things like that. What about you?” She’s sitting in my car with one leg bent, wearing no makeup and my shades. Sunshine covers her in golden warmth and I’ve never felt lighter.

I shrug. “I got business to do, but then I’m free.” I pull up to her curb, and she places her hand on the door handle. “Business? On a Saturday?”

I look over at her. “Are you not doing business on a Saturday?”

She grins. “Got me there.” Her eyes go to the handle, and then she bites her lip.

She turns to look at me. “I had a good night. Thank you,” she says.

I did, too. You have no idea.

I nod. “Me, too.”

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