Page 25 of Falling for You
“Yeah, I mean it sounds great in theory. But she won’t want to live with me. She just moved home into the cabin. She was so excited about it. And who wants to live with a crying baby?” I try to deflect off me and onto Emma. It’s a shitty move but what am I supposed to do? Admit to Hunter that I’ve been banging his sister for a year and I want to make her mine in every sense but she’s pissed as hell at me for being a chickenshit coward?That’s exactly what I was supposed to be doing before Olivia showed up.
“Dude, she has no bathroom. She has to run to the inn in the middle of the night and after this morning, it’s not changing anytime soon,” he cringes at the thought of whatever happened this morning, “That cabin is a pit of bad news. Trust me when I tell her how long it will be, she’ll be begging to live with you.”
I doubt it. But what do I have to lose? My sanity?
“Yeah, I kind of need a place to live right now. Hunt is encroaching on my bedroom.” Her face softens when she sees me, I didn’t even hear her come into the kitchen.
“Ems. You don’t have to give up your life to help me. This is my problem. You should get to live your life,” —she steps closer to me— “besides, what if she isn’t even mine? Then all of this worry is for nothing.”
“You’re awfully stuck on her not being yours and worrying other people,” Nathan chimes in, “I think you two need to talk alone. Come on Hunt.”
Hunter follows Nathan out leaving me and Ems alone.
“Sunshine, you really want to live with me?” I grab her hand and tug her into me. A dangerous move considering where I am.
“Used to daydream about it, Stud. But this is purely for you. To help you with Olivia. You don’t need to think about me or us right now, you have more important things to think about. Besides, she’s kind of worming her way in already. That giggle will get you to do anything. Mimi K is wrapped around her finger.”
I release her hand and rub my own hands over my face. She sits on my leg, wrapping one arm around my neck. Her other hand rests on my cheek turning me to face her.
“I’d do anything for you, Rome. Including living with you as your nanny, even if it kills me.”
The last thought I have before smashing my lips to hers is that this will definitely kill me first. If not, Hunter will.
I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her closer to me as I part her lips with my tongue. She leans into my chest, a moan escapes and makes my dick take notice of what’s happening.
The door swings open and shut before we have a chance to pull apart. A cold fear takes over my body that it’s Hunter.
“Oh. Um… Ignore me. They wanted cookies.” Violet skirts around us, grabbing the serving platter of cookies to my right, “Sorry. Please resume.”
“Fuck. That could have been Hunter. I’m so sorry, Sunshine.”
She jumps off my lap, “Would it be that bad if he found out now?” she whispers softly, almost soft enough that I know it wasn’t meant for me to hear.
I don’t answer her, I have no answer. Yes it would be terrible if he found out about us, especially this way, especially now. But it’d also be freeing to have her as mine out in the open. But it’s selfish as hell to expect her to take on my bullshit now.
“I’ll move in tomorrow, Rome. Vi and the boys can help me. I’ll keep Olivia while you’re at work.” A look of hurt flashes across her face.
“I have the day off. The Ryans texted me earlier that our paternity test was scheduled for tomorrow. And I guess I have to tell my parents. I’ll stop by after the appointment since I won’t be too far from their office. Plus they’re less likely to throw a tantrum in their office.”
“Okay. I have a key then.” She leans in, kissing me on the cheek. “See you tomorrow,roomie.”
God, I’m a fucking jackass. How can I do this to her? Ask this of her? I used to think I was a man, a real man with his shit straight, but now, I’m questioning every decision I make. But I’m too fucking selfish to stop taking from her.
I’m so sick of packing, and living out of bags. Even when I went to college, I came home so much I was always packing or unpacking. Coming home to see Rome every weekend this last year was hell on my organization. My childhood dream finally came true when he kissed me that night in the cove. This is not how I saw that dream ending when I was thirteen though.
My nerves are on high alert between moving into Rome’s house and him going to Portland to get the paternity test done. Add in that he’s telling his parents and I feel like I might jump out of my skin. His parents have never been the warm and fuzzy kind, more like cold and prickly. They’re very business oriented, not family oriented like the Keaton clan.
“We’re here!” I hear Violet yell from the front door.
“And I stole her donuts for us!” Followed by Mom.
“You are my favorite,” I say to Mom, taking the donuts from her.
“Hey! I made those! I should be the favorite.” Violet pouts.
Mom wraps her arm around Violet, “You aremyfavorite daughter-in-love, baby girl.”
Violet purses her lips, “I guess I’ll take it, but I’m definitely telling Willow!”
