Page 271 of Hooking Up
"I don't really care. I'm gonna make you come either way."
She looks up at me as she intertwines her fingers with mine. "This sounds win-win."
"What the fuck are we talking about?"
Her smile spreads over her cheeks. "I don't remember."
"Me either." I lead her to the complex's gate, punch in the code, open the door for her.
She folds the jacket over her arm as she steps inside.
The pool glows against the dark sky. It casts wavy lines over the planters of succulents and the white wrought iron gate.
It's suburban paradise.
In the middle of Santa Monica.
Yeah, it's a little farther from the beach. But it's a hell of a lot bigger. And it's notthatmuch more expensive than my place.
It's not cheap—not by a long shot—but it's well within our budget. If she wants it to beourbudget.
If she wants it to be our place.
I have to hold onto the railing as I climb the stairs. It's like my soles aren't making contact with the ground. I'm floating. Or maybe I'm spinning. One of the two. Or both.
It's only a dozen steps to the door. I kneel, punch the code into the lockbox, pull out the key.
"Walker…" Iris taps her heels together. "Is this—"
"Still a surprise." Nerves creep into my voice. It isn't like me. But then the last six months haven't been like me either. I never thought I'd let anyone this close. I never thought I'd fall in love. I sure as hell never thought I'd ever be desperate to live with a woman.
But it's the only thing missing from my life.
I rise, unlock the door, push it open. "After you, sweetness."
"Walker…" Her eyes meet mine. "Is this… Are you… Do you…"
"Yeah."
"Yeah?"
I nod.
Her tongue slides over her lips. "Really?"
"I'm trying to do this a certain way."
"What way is that?"
"The way that gets a yes." I press the door wider. "After you."
"Okay." She steps onto the hardwood.
I follow. The main room is about the size of mine. There's space for the TV and a couch in the nook on the right. The kitchen is on the left. It's tiny, the way all Southern California kitchens are, but it's ours.
Well, almost.
"It's more expensive than my place. But a lot cheaper than both of us paying rent for our own apartments." I take her hand and lead her to the bedroom. Right now it's an empty room with a mirrored closet, an attached bathroom, and a window that looks out on the ocean. But it will be our bedroom.
