Page 127 of Lemon Crush

“I’m still clarifying. You want us to live together until one or both of us lose interest, I find a house I’m willing to purchase, or you decide to leave. In that respect, nothing has changed apart from me not paying rent? Is that what you’re saying?”

I tensed a little in his arms, but I wanted to make sure he didn’t feel obligated. And I wasn’t in the right place to demand promises. Today was all that mattered. “Exactly.”

“I can’t agree to that.”

I blinked up at him in shock. “What? Why not?”

His jaw took on a stubborn slant. “You don’t want to be my landlady? I don’t want to be a guest. If we’re living together, no matter how long or short that turns out to be, I pay half of the bills. We’re here on equal footing.”

I gasped when his hand slid down my belly until it was between my legs.

“Can we talk about the details later?” I begged, sliding my hands up his chest and over his shoulders. “I’m a little busy trying to make a big romanticstatement so you’ll know I’m invested and say yes, and you’re ruining the moment.”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

He expanded on his answer with a kiss that had me groaning in gratitude and melting against him. It felt like a claim, possessive and commanding.

My back hit the tile and his body followed, his tongue between my lips and hand between my legs. The shower steam enveloped us, making it feel like we were the only two people on earth.

He was smiling against my mouth and I held him tighter. That was what I’d been missing. He hadn’t held back his body these last few weeks, but he hadn’t been all in either.

He was now.

“So, did you have any other surprises lined up for tonight’s romantic seduction?” he asked as his fingers found that spot that always made my toes curl.

“No,” I panted. “A new bra, food and a puppy. That was my big plan. And look, it worked. Even though it got gross there for a minute.”

He chuckled deep, his fingers disappearing and the head of his cock nudging against my sex as he grabbed one thigh and lifted it over his hip. “Are you saying I’m easy?”

“I’m saying you’re lucky because I am.” I tightened my leg around him. “Are we sure we can do this in here? We haven’t tried the shower before and it’s kind of a tight fit.”

“I’ll add it to our project list,” he growled into my mouth with his first thrust. “Thisis a tight fit.”

I cried out, trying to adjust to his size and the newposition. I dug my fingers into his slick arms and held on for all I was worth as he started pumping into me.

“I’ll never get enough of this,” he muttered, looking down as our bodies slapped together. “Why the hell did I think I could when it gets better every time?”

I was thinking the same thing. Every time he touched me, the idea of leaving him behind drifted a little farther away. The thrill and safety of a fresh start couldn’t hold a candle to the way I felt when I caught him watching me like I was something precious. Like I was someone he needed.

My heart was in danger, but I couldn’t regret taking this step with him. Not when I climaxed at the sound of my hoarsely shouted name echoing off the shower tiles as he came. Not when he was kissing my neck, his hand cupping my breast while he mumbled praise and promises against my skin. And not when he turned the water off and bundled me up in one of my giant fuzzy towels.

“Let’s get you into bed. I’ll let the dogs out while you catch your breath and get ready for round two.”

“Round two?”

“Maybe I’ll bring a plate up. You’ll need your energy. We’ve got a lot to celebrate tonight.”

I had to remember to thank my entourage tomorrow. They gave excellent advice.

26

AUGUST

“Ugh.”

The smell of hot spoiled cabbage reached me at the same time “The Ride of the Valkyries” blared in my ears, dragging me out of unconsciousness. “Whtimizit?”

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