Page 121 of Along Came Amor
“Okay,” she said, sounding almost shy.
He understood. Something about this night felt different. It wasn’t just the two of them anymore, existing in a little pocket of pleasure and romance, contained by the shifting boundaries Ava set for them. His family was involved now, and he knew that scared her, but she washere, and she wasn’t running away.
He should be happy with that. Anything she gave him was enough.
But he wouldn’t be him if he didn’t push for a little more.
He waited until they were in his room and she’d changed into a silky periwinkle nightie before he broached the topic. “I’d like you to consider leaving some things here.”
Her expression turned wary. “What kind of things?”
“Overnight things.” He sat next to her on the edge of the bed and took her hands so she couldn’t get up to pace. “I know I’ve been traveling a lot, but when I’m home, I want you to sleep over.”
She fidgeted the way she did whenever their conversation verged into emotionally intimate territory. He didn’t think she knew she did it, but it was adorable, and a really useful tell.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure.”
“I don’t know. I feel a little strange staying over when your family is here.”
“We’re adults, and this ismyapartment. Besides, they like you. What are you afraid of?”
She squirmed like she was sitting on hot coals. “I don’t want it to seem like I’m getting too comfortable.”
“Ava, Iwantyou to be comfortable in my home.”
She let out a strangled laugh. “I don’t even feel comfortable in myownhome.”
His brows drew together. “Why not?”
“I’ve just... never had a space that was completely mine before. Where I didn’t have to worry about upsetting other people.”
Now they were getting somewhere. “Upsetting who?”
“My mom, my grandmother, and my stepmother, to start with. And the day my parents split up, they’d told me to clean up all my toys, and I didn’t do it. For a long time, those two things were connected in my head, like I was sent away to live with my grandparents because I was messy. Even though I know now that it’s irrational, and their divorce wasn’t my fault, I still can’t go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink, no matter how tired I am.”
Roman cupped her face in his hands. “I promise you, I will never care if you leave dishes in the sink or panties on the floor or—”
“Oh, I’m sure you’d like it if I left my panties around.” Her expression was playful, and he pulled her closer, softening his tone as he leaned his forehead to hers.
“I’d love it, because it would be a sign that you werehere. I want you to feel at home here, Ava.”
She shut her eyes. “I’m scared of how normal this is starting to feel.”
He leaned back and raised an eyebrow. “Would you rather it feel abnormal? I’m sure I can think of ways to make it really weird.”
She sputtered out a laugh. “No, but I appreciate the offer.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I don’t know. It just doesn’t feel like a hook-up anymore.”
“Because it’s not. I love you.” Maybe if he took every chance he could to say it, she’d get used to it.
She made a frustrated sound. “This is happening very fast for me.”
“I’ll try to slow down.”
