Page 182 of The Echo of Forever
My baby stirred behind me, his grip tightening before relaxing again. I set my phone down and turned in his arms,studying his face. Even in sleep, he carried tension around his eyes.
Last night had changed things. I don’t think he ever thought someone from inside the compound would betray him.
The revelations kept piling up, making my head spin if I thought too hard about any of it. But somehow, I felt at ease with this man. Maybe because he’d kill for him, no questions asked.
“You think I’m handsome, my forever?” he mumbled, eyes still closed.
I pressed a kiss to his jaw.
“The most handsome.”
He slowly opened his eyes.
“You good, baby?”
I nodded, brushing the tip of my nose against his.
“My mom’s being discharged today,” I said, fingers tracing the outline of his lips. “I’m going to see her before heading to the office.”
He caught my hand and pressed a kiss to my palm. “You want me to come with you?”
The offer warmed my heart, but I shook my head.
“It’s okay. You can’t follow me everywhere…” I got out of bed and stretched, looking back at him and smiling at the way he ogled my naked ass. “Oh, what’s your ring size?”
His lips curved as he sat up and let the comforter fall away from his body.
“Why, baby? I only need one ring on my hand.”
I chuckled and entered the bathroom.
“Text it to me,” I said before shutting the door. “Thank you! Love you!”
I showered and dressed in a black pantsuit with a silk shirt to match beneath. Demetrius was in the kitchen when I emerged, still shirtless and making breakfast.
“I’ll be home early,” I told him, taking a mini bottle of orange juice and ibuprofen he handed me without much thought. “How’d you know my head hurt a little?”
He kissed the spot right where my nose began and murmured, “I’ve been tracking them for when you’re ready to tackle that. Don’t gotta be today or tomorrow or next week.”
I nodded and leaned into his lips.
“I love you so much.”
He hummed, kissed my forehead, and backed away.
“I love you more, my forever. Thank you for wanting to protect my family and me. Shit means everything.”
Even though I needed to be on the road, I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed.
“Be careful today. Come home early, okay?”
I knew he would attend the auction happening later, and that anything could happen, but I still put my request in.
We had to learn to navigate our separate lives, and there was just some shit I couldn’t be part of. Some shit he preferred I let him handle on my behalf.
“I’ll come home early for you.”
That was enough to satisfy me, and I left after eating some of the food from his plate, instead of the one he had made me.
