Page 47 of Dare to Rock

When she finally pulled free, he led her to the couch, and they sat down. He faced her, holding her hands in his. “Your brother is right about one thing. I’m the one who brought all this shit to your door. I can leave and make it all go away.”

“No!” She’d come home needing time to think. She hadn’t counted on the turmoil that had waited for her here, and she hadn’t yet had a moment to put her thoughts together, but she knew one thing. Panic struck her at the thought of losing him before she was ready.

His shoulders dropped in relief. “Good. I’d do anything to keep you safe, and I’d go if you asked me to... but that’s the last thing I want.”

“I don’t want that either,” she whispered.

“Then why did you leave without waking me?” His rough fingers stroked her skin.

She’d hoped for more time before having to answer this question. “Last night was intense,” she admitted. “I’m feeling things that I can’t afford to let myself feel for you.”

He nodded, and she knew he understood without her having to explain more.

“Your brothers are right. You shouldn’t be alone here,” he said, changing the subject. “I understand if you want to stay with them.”

“Oh, hell no,” she said, shuddering at the thought. “They’d drive me mad. It would be like being in a cage. Their eyes would be on me constantly. And since I don’t know what kind of threat this really is, I don’t want to move in with my mom or sisters and bring trouble their way.”

He squeezed her hands tighter. “Move in with me then.”

“What?” she asked, shock racing through her.

“Move in with me.” He met her gaze, his expression as serious as she’d ever seen it. “I’m not going to say something stupid like you can stay in the guest room, because we both know that’s not happening. But if you really want your space, you can stay in the apartment across the hall. Though let me go on record as saying that’s not my first choice.”

She blinked, trying to take in all the information he was giving her. “You own that apartment too?”

He nodded. “I live in Rep’s old place. The other one was Lola’s—that’s how they met. I bought both, knowing I wanted to build a soundproof studio, where I can work without bothering anyone.”

He’d really planned out this notion of living in Miami. More so than she’d originally thought. “I had no idea.”

“I was going to explain all this to you this morning. I wanted to have breakfast and show you the layout and plans.”

“But I left.”

He shrugged. “We can still have breakfast now, and I can show you the apartment later?”

Her head was swimming with information and with confusion. She wouldn’t feel safe sleeping in her apartment knowing someone was out there... in a sense, stalking her. But was she ready to move in with Grey, even temporarily? And if so, should she move into his place or across the hall?

She blew out a deep breath and said the only thing that came to mind. “Breakfast sounds like a really good idea right now.”

He laughed, knowing she was avoiding any decisions. “French toast or pancakes? Either is my specialty.” And obviously, he would let her take her time deciding.

She grinned. “French toast. That’s all I have the ingredients for.”

He leaned in and kissed her lips. “Then we go take a tour of my place.”

“Only if, while we eat, you tell me about this e-mail you received... and who you think is behind it.”

The happy light in his eyes dimmed at the reminder, and he hesitated before answering. “Fine.”

“And as long as you promise no more secrets between us.”

“Okay,” he said, faster and with more ease.

She wasn’t anywhere close to making a decision. In fact, she still wanted some space and time before doing anything, especially now that the stakes were higher than just an emotional tizzy over falling in love. But she also knew she couldn’t walk away from him yet.

She was afraid she would never be able to make that break. And waiting for him to be the one to ultimately walk away left her in an even bigger panic. So she’d eat breakfast and see his apartment and plans. Then she’d take a break and go visit with her mom or Olivia and get some much-needed perspective before making any huge decisions. Like whether or not to move in with Grey.

Chapter Nine

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