Page 184 of Before Dawn

And then, just as I was about to ask what was on his mind, he spoke, his voice quieter now. More certain.

“I know this might be random, but… would you move in with me?” He exhaled, his gaze never leaving mine. “Not now. But eventually.”

The questionstopped me in my tracks, my mind scrambling to process his words. Move in? With him?

I hesitated—not from doubt, but because this was monumental. Living together meant more than sharing space; it meant intertwining lives.

“Would you really want to live with me?”

His gaze held steady, dark and resolute. “Nothing compares to waking up beside you every morning and coming home to you every night.”

“I would,” I admitted softly, then bit my lip. “But if we were to move in, we’d need to split responsibilities.”

His head tilted slightly, brow furrowing in confusion. “Split responsibilities?”

“What are your thoughts on fifty-fifty?” I asked, my nerves buzzing beneath my skin.

For a moment, he looked at me—assessing, considering. Then his lips curved into a slow, knowing smirk.

“The only fifty-fifty I’m interested in is giving you my last name one day very soon…” He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. “And hearing you scream my first when you’re coming all over my cock, fingers, or tongue.”

Heatflashedthrough me, stealing the air from my lungs. My face burned, and I looked away, struggling to compose myself.

“I’mserious, Mikkel,” I murmured, though I couldn’t stop the small, betraying smile that tugged at my lips.

“So am I.” His tone was softer now but no less intent, no less real.

I swallowed against the sudden sting of tears, overwhelmed by the depth of his love and devotion. He wasn’t just saying what I wanted to hear—he meant it.Every word.

“Let’s talk about it later,” I finally said, my voice wavering but steady enough to let him know I wasn’t brushing him off.

His expression didn’t change. If anything, it softened even more. “Of course,mi amor.112 Whenever you’re ready.”

Because Mikkel wasn’t just patient.

He knew how to love me in a way I was still learning to accept.

I sat at my vanity, finally taking a break after three hours of unpacking which had somehow turned into a full closet reorganization. When I grew too tired, Mikkel had stepped in, folding and hanging the rest of my clothes without hesitation.

“Baby,” he called from the closet. “Do you want the jeans on hangers too?”

I laughed, still in disbelief. “No, just fold them.”

“Okay.”

His voice was so casual, as if him stepping in to do this for me was the most natural thing in the world. I exhaled, turning my attention back to the lip products—lipsticks, glosses, lip liners—unpacking them one by one. My fingers brushed over the sleek tubes, pausing.

Ihatedswatching shades on my skin.

I swiped a soft mauve across my hand, regretting it immediately as it clung like a stubborn stain.

Before I could spiral, warm hands grounded me. I met Mikkel’s steady gaze in the mirror, my racing thoughts slowing.

“What’s wrong?”

I bit my lip, hesitating before sighing. “I’m gonna need to get testers at Ulta tomorrow.”

His brow lifted slightly, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. “You don’t need to do that.”

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