Page 121 of The Daredevil

She cried.

She smiled.

Cupping my face with her hands, she showered me with sloppy kisses. I remained still, allowing her to decorate my face and mouth with kisses.

Drawing back, she said with tearful eyes, “Say it again.” A kiss landed on my cheek.

“I love you.”

“Again.” Another kiss landed on my forehead.

“I love you.”

A third kiss landed on my lips, and she threw her arms around my neck, touching her forehead to mine. “I could listen to you saying those words over and over again.”

“Then you’ll hear them every day . . .ifyou move in with me.” I wiggled my eyebrows.

She narrowed her eyes. “Is that an ultimatum?”

“It’s whatever you want it to be. Consider living with me as an ‘adventure.’ An indoor ‘excursion’ for you.”

Her face brightened. “What kind of excursion are you thinking about?”

“I’ll leave that to you, angel. You’ve got a wild mind, so surprise me.” I tapped her forehead. “Think about it. I’ve got a huge place, and you’ll save on rent and other expenses.”

“I can’t live with you for free.”

“Who says it’s for free? I’ll be taking advantage of you every chance I get. Like right now.” I kissed her long and hard. “Now that we’re ‘lavas’ again, let’s take this relationship even further.”

She burst out laughing. “You don’t have to wear those T-shirts, you know. They were for charity.”

“Hell, yeah, I’m gonna wear them. You made them forme. They’re brilliant.” I placed a hand on either side of her shoulder. “If you had money to do whatever you want, what would it be?”

She twisted her lips, thinking. “I’m doing what I love now, which is blogging about things I’m passionate about. But I’ve developed a new passion ever since I met you.”

I smiled. “Like what?”

“I want to help you expand Eat Your Monsters. I’ve got some ideas. Are you currently selling it?”

“No. I made that just for you. It was an idea I wanted to incorporate into WaterFyre Rising video game and let you play a variation of it.”

“It works, Royce. It’s a brilliant game that can help people overcome their traumas. We can create different scenarios that mimic an illness, a phobia, a fear, and public speaking—whatever. I read you can incite the brain by targeting it creatively. You did that for me, and I think other people will love it.”

Could I possibly love her any more than I already do?

“I already started on it. You can lead that project. Then we’ll sell the app.”

“I love you so much.” She embraced me. “Why do you have to be so perfect?”

“I’m not perfect. It’s because you love me and transformed my imperfections into something worthy. I’d do anything for you.”

“Do you mean it?”

“Of course.”

“Then visit Viktor with me. It’s time to heal that part of you. Don’t you want closure?”

“I do.”

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