Page 77 of Unmoored

“Mmmm?” I rumble. “Good wow?”

“Greatwow. Top-tier wow,” Eden giggles, and I pull back to grin at him.

He groans and wipes a hand down his face, then looks down at himself. He’s a sweaty, disheveled, covered in our mess—and fucking fuck, is that the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. “Whew. I should get cleaned up?—”

I lean down to interrupt him with a kiss. “There’s nobody to impress,” I murmur against his lips. “I only want you. The real you, whatever that looks like. Especially right now.”

Eden blinks at me, and then he slowly relaxes, and that too-bright smile disappears, fading into the one that’s more raw and honest and real. “Thank you,” he whispers.

I grunt softly. Then I kiss his forehead and neck and all over—everywhere except his ears, since I know he makes unhappy little noises whenever I try to do it.

He finally loosens his hold on me so I can get up to get a cloth and bring it back. I wipe him down before gathering him in my arms, tugging the covers over us.

The next thought makes me snort despite myself.

I guess it really was the love barge today.

“Mmm?”

I grunt, unwilling to even give the asshole that much credit, but I don’t want to hold back. So I repeat it out loud, and Eden just giggles. “That asshole was good for one thing,” I add. “And it’s the most important thing I can imagine.”

As I brush Eden’s hair away from his forehead, he giggles. “Mmmm. We got the good end of the deal, all right.” Then he pauses, cracking an eye open. “Wait… hedidpay you, right?” He simmers with sheer outrage and determination all of a sudden. “He didn’t try that stupid haggling thing? If he stiffs you, I swear to everything I’ll call his dad?—”

I love his fire, but he should save that for things that matter. And George doesn’t, anymore.

“Yeah, he paid me,” I interrupt before he can get even more frothy and worked-up. “Upfront, ten times my rate.” Eden groans with relief as I reassure him. “Enough to—” I break off, then clear my throat.

“Mmm?” Eden hums.

Damn it. I wasn’t going to tell him about fixing up Dawn’s Embrace… but I don’t think we should have secrets. Even if he insists on thanking me just for doing the right thing. “I’ve been making a list. Things I’ll need to fix up Dawn’s Embrace before the winter. If I can’t persuade you to move in with me.”

Eden throws his arms around me, snuggling into my side. “You really want me living with you? Or is this just because I don’t have my license? The test’s next week, and I think I can pass...”

“Better question. Do you honestlywantto live aboard?” I ask him. I’m just about finished combing his hair back, but I can’t stop myself from petting him, my nails gently running along his scalp as he half-closes his eyes.

“Mmm,” Eden finally hums and shakes his head. “I want to be free and safe. And Dawn’s Embrace makes me feel like… like I’ve escaped.” My fingers stop in his hair as I watch him closely, trying to figure out what that means. “I thought that was the same thing, but… it’s not.”

“Uh huh?” I can’t yet make heads nor tails of it, but I think he’s almost getting to the point.

Eden gives me this sweet, shy smile, but I can tell there’s still uncertainty. It’s written all over his face. “And… well, I’d love to wake up with you.”

I furrow my brow. “Mmm. We’ll see how you feel at six AM every day.”

Eden giggles, and I just wait for him to come out with it. At last, he glances back at me. “We can still keep Dawn’s Embrace, right? I’m really fond of her now.”

That’s all?I sigh, and I can feel Eden tense up like he’s expecting me to fight him on it. “Me too,” I tell him, which stops him in his tracks.

“R-Really?” Eden giggles.

“Yeah. We’ll moor her at my dock—well, our dock now. She can be your studio, or your gallery, or our pleasure cruiser.”

“And boy, has she seen our pleasure,” Eden instantly giggles.

I give him a distracted little grin, because my mind is still on the much bigger question. “So… does that mean it’s a yes?” I clear my throat. “I didn’t want to rush into asking you, but then after what happened today…”

Eden nods, gently running his finger along my collarbone. “That’s really sweet of you. I’m not afraid of being out on the water anymore—not even now. But… I’m ready to be done with the part of my journey where I make it harder than it has to be. So… yes.”

I almost can’t believe my ears, after all this time of Eden being stubborn as hell about every little thing. “Yeah? A hot shower? A real bed? We can do that from now on?”

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