Page 95 of Stay With Me
“Schools have limited funding. They do what they can, but it’s not enough. The list looks easy enough. We can go shopping for it whenever you want. Jess will be excited to pick some of this stuff out.” He kisses the side of my head.
“Uh, about that.” I tilt my head and look at him.
“What’s up? Is everything okay? Do you not like the school? We can look into homeschooling her first year.” He pulls out the stool next to mine, scoots it closer, turns my stool, and pulls me so that I’m between his legs.
“What? No. I love the school.” I pause. “Well, it’s the only school I have experience with, so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but they’ve been so helpful, and I think going to school would be good for her. It’s none of that, though. I know we’ve talked about it, but I feel like I’m taking advantage of you and this situation,” I say. “I don’t expect you to pay for everything for Jess and me.”
“It’s a good school, but I want you to know there are options for her if you aren’t comfortable with it.” He brushes a stray piece of hair out of my eyes. “I know I’ve said it, but you aren’t taking advantage of me. You do a lot of the chores around the house as well as cook most of the meals. You don’t know how much I appreciate that.”
I shake my head. “That isn’t the same.”
“It is the same. You do so much for Jess and me, on top of working.”
“I’ve just been independent for so long that without having bills or buying things for my sister, it makes me feel like I’musing you, and I’m not. I love being here with you. I don’t know if I could navigate this path I’ve found myself on without your help, but I fear that one day, you’ll wake up and resent me for everything.”
His eyes never leave mine, and he caresses my arm.
Nerves mixed with desire start to churn in my stomach.
Did I just ruin one of the best things that has happened to me since leaving The Family?
“This is important to you?” he asks.
Words are stuck in my throat, so I nod.
“Okay. Acts of service is my main love language, and taking care of you and Jess brings me joy, but I never want you to feel like you aren’t contributing enough to our household. How about we make a deal?”
“What kind of deal?”
“I’ll continue to pay for everything regarding the house, but if it involves Jess or anything the two of you want to do, I won’t offer to pay for it, unless you ask for help.”
“I want to pay for half the groceries too.” I counter.
He narrows his eyes and smirks. “You drive a hard bargain, my Lunabella. Fine, you can also help pay for half the groceries.”
“Also… you mean your household? Right?”
“Ours, baby. If I have it my way, both of you will be here with me for a very long time.” He brings a hand up and cups my cheek. “Now give me a kiss to seal the deal.”
FORTY-THREE
Luna
Myheartflipsathis words.
I think I love this man.
He slides his hand through my hair to the base of my head.
My eyes close as our lips meet.
A deep rumble comes from his chest as he wraps his free arm around my waist and lifts me off my chair.
As he stands, I clasp my arms around his neck, and his tongue brushes my lip. I open, and he sweeps his tongue into my mouth.
The kiss is demanding, taking my breath away.
He turns and uses his hips to pin me to the counter, his hard length at my core causing me to whimper.
