“Told you I was weird.” She teased with a shrug. “Now go on, and let me finish.”
King growled under his breath as he walked to the refrigerator. He grabbed a bottle of water and a soda, set them on the counter, and turned back to her.
“Listen, I was thinking about the darkroom.” He said, looking at her.
Amara immediately narrowed her eyes. “If this is about you paying for it, we will fight again.” She warned him.
King tilted his head like he was considering something. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
She blinked. That was not the response she had expected. “You like fighting with me?”
A slow smirk spread across his lips. “I like the making-up.”
Amara rolled her eyes, throwing a dish towel at him, but King caught it with a chuckle.
“But no, that’s not it…this time.”
“Then what is it?” She said, then backtracked. “What do you mean this time?”
“How about using one of the bedrooms upstairs for your darkroom?” His gaze held hers, watching for her reaction.
Amara considered it, then shrugged. “I mean, that’s up to you. It would work, but it’s your?—”
King’s expression darkened instantly. “If you say ‘your house,’ I’m going to be pissed.”
“Sorry, habit.” She bit her lip to hold back a smile. “The smaller bedroom should be fine.”
King shook his head. “No, not the smaller one. Our bedroom.”
That made her pause. “What?”
“I’ll have them quote us on turning the basement into our bedroom with a small space for my workout room. That way, we can have more privacy, and I don’t have to keep taking you downstairs whenever I want to have my way with you.” King wiggled his eyebrows.
“I love that,” she admitted, feeling relieved. She had been uncomfortable being intimate upstairs with Joey right down the hall. This way, Joey could have his privacy, and they could have theirs.
“Good.” King nodded, pleased. Then his expression turned serious. “I also talked to Sloan. I’m going back to my rounds tomorrow, but I’m switching to the day shift. That way, someone will always be here, or you guys can go to the compound while I work.”
Amara sighed, crossing her arms. She hated losing her freedom but knew this was temporary, at least, she hoped it was, but it still sucked. This house was locked down like Fort Knox. He had installed so much security that even a deer couldn’t cross the yard without setting off an alert on his phone.
King cupped her face gently. “Hey. This isn’t forever. Daniel has some leads now. It’s only a matter of time.”
Amara exhaled, nodding. “I know. I get it. But it still sucks.”
King studied her for a moment, then followed her gaze as she looked toward her camera.
“Do you think we can go outside after you and Joey are finished so I can take some pictures?” she asked.
“Sure,” King said immediately, picking up the soda. He was always so quick to give her what she needed. “Let me give this to Joey and let him know.”
“We don’t have to do it now, King.” She protested.
But he was already leaving the kitchen. “We’ll do it now. I want to see you work.”
Amara shook her head, but warmth bloomed in her chest. She couldn’t remember the last time she had picked up her camera just for the joy of it.
When King returned, he carried her jacket and held it out for her. “Here, it’s still cold outside.”
“Thanks,” She slipped her arms into it, smiling at him. “You really are a gentleman, aren’t you?”