Page 68 of Dare
Hergiggle makes me smile. She always makes me smile. “Hmm, I may have a fewconditions.”
“Namethem, babe.”
“One,you can’t store the peanut butter in the fridge anymore. It’s unnatural. Two, Iget the right side of the bed, and three, you must pleasure me sexually everynight.”
Fuck,I love this woman.
“Iagree to all but the last one. I’m going to have to pleasure you every nightand every morning.”
“Isuppose I can live with that.”
Shesteps around the corner and leaps into my arms. “I love the house, and I loveyou. When can we move in?”
“Aboutthat…”
Justusand Jeremy burst through the front door carrying a couch and bickering. “Tiltit, asshole!”
“Iam tilting!”
“No,the other way! Christ, are you always an idiot, or just when I’m around?”Justus exclaims.
Aydaturns to me as Landon and Zoe walk in, carrying lamps and bags. “I don’t knowwhether to kick you in the nuts or just stand in awe of your confidence.”
Wrappingmy arm around her shoulder, I lead her through the room, so she can see therest of the place. “What if I had said no?”
“I’dhave lost a security deposit and returned the furniture.” I shrug. “We can takeback whatever you don’t like and you can pick.”
Hersmile gets bigger on our tour through the kitchen, dining room, guest rooms,bathrooms, and the master bedroom. She lets out a squeal at the sight of thelarge Jacuzzi tub in the master bathroom.
“Ihave one more room to show you.”
Herhand stays in mine as we walk into the hall and I open a door to a narrowstairway. “The attic?”
Technically,it’s an attic, but it’s been completely renovated. The floors are smooth andshiny, and a ceiling to floor mirror runs the length of the room. I paid therenovators double time to get this room done quickly, and the look on her faceis worth every penny.
“Theroom will be filled with natural light during the day,” I tell her, pointingout the skylight above us. “Now, anytime you feel like dancing, you have yourown place.”
Hereyes well. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“What,no argument this time?” I tease, pulling her into my arms.
Sheshakes her head, speechless. “I love you, Ayda. I know living with me won’talways be easy. There will be times when things are happening with ISH that Imay not be able to tell you, but I swear I’ll always keep you safe. I just wantyou to be happy.”
Tearspour down her cheeks when she peeks up at me. “I am happy.”
Iwipe her cheek. “I can tell. By the way, I turned the basement into a mancave.”
“Okay.”Her arms slide around my waist.
“Youcan’t get in without the password.”
Chuckling,she shakes her head. “What’s the password?”
Ilift the silver pendant from between her breasts, where it always lies, and herdark eyes stare into mine as she murmurs, “Hummingbird?”
“NowI have to let you in.”
Somethingcrashes downstairs and the raised voices filter up to us. “We’d better get downthere. I promised them beer if they helped us move.”
