Page 72 of Shockproof

Shock sends my jaw to my bare toes. “What?!”

The lack of rebuttal only spurs more surprise to shoot through my system.

“Seriously?!”

Slater’s instant nodding emphasizes just how sincere he’s being.

That this isn’t cute speak.

Or pre-sex dirty talk.

No.

He…actuallymeansit.

And the bright blue hue his words had indicates exactly how much.

Slightly flustered, I adjust my neon yellow glasses and mumble, “Isn’t it too soon?”

Another sock is grabbed to put on the other foot.

“We haven’t even officially finished moving in together yet!”

“Your boxes are here.” His body contorts to tug on the article. “You just need to finish puttin’ your shit away.”

“That’s…over…simplifying.”

“Is it?” An impish grin is shot in my direction. “’Cause I’ve already ordered paint for the accent wall and new shelvin’ for the closet and washed all your bright pink towels Mattel could sue you over.”

“They don’townthe color pink.”

“You talkin’ statistically or socially?”

The rebuttal has me hesitating to reply.

He brings up a good point.

Maybe they don’t own the color per se; however, if you factor in social stock, my boyfriend may actually be onto something.

“Angel Cake,” Slater sweetly interrupts the runaway notes in my head, “you’re here. You’ve moved in. You jus’ gotta finish makin’ itour home.”

My body thoughtlessly braces itself against the counter. “Okay, but should we really be thinking or even discussingbabiesat this point? I mean we’re not even technically engaged yet.”

“We’re pre-engaged.”

“That’s not a real thing!”

Without hesitation, he curls his fingers around mine and lifts up my hand to expose the dangling bracelet. “Looks pretty real to me.”

Scrunching my nose causes my glasses to slip down.

“Look, I’m not tryin’ to rush things, Arley.” Our fingers fold together. “I’m jus’ sayin’ I know what I want.” His grip gets lovingly tighter as he pulls me closer. “What I’vealwayswanted. And that’s a life with you.” Slater pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “House. Kids. Pets. Holidays. Vacations. All of it.” His bashful grin precedes blinding bright blue waves of words. “Pretty much everything we’ve always had and then alittlemore.”

“Mm…babies feel likea lotmore.”

Snickers joyfully float through the air as he leads us out of the secluded space.

I don’t know if he’s gonna getthatChristmas wish in particular, but I do know I can at least grant him the gift of talking about it.

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