Page 63 of An Inconvenient Plan
Thank God. He turned off the light on the nightstand. Rose was still asleep outside the bedroom door. They’d probably get an early morning wake-up call, but whatever. He didn’t want the distraction of a dog begging to join them in bed.
Hailey lay on her back. He rolled to his back next to her and stared at the ceiling as he asked her something important. “I’ll be the official owner of Garner’s next Thursday. Banner day and a long time coming. I’ll text you after it’s official so you can stop by to celebrate with me.”
She rolled to her side and threw an arm and a leg over him. “I’m so happy for you. Your dream is coming true.”
He hoped so. The other part of his dream—the part where she came in—would happen at the same time. Probably the most important day of his life. He was putting it all on the line. His pulse kicked harder, knowing it wasn’t a sure thing and could backfire so badly he’d probably never recover. He found himself holding his breath and took a deep breath. “So you’ll be there?”
“Sure.” She ran her hand up his arm to his shoulder. “Do you think this is love?”
He considered how to answer. Yes, on his end. But Hailey had never felt love and he wanted her to realize it on a deep level on her own. If she loved him, she should feel it. “What do you think?”
She rested her head on his chest. “I honestly don’t know. Half the time you make me furious, but I can’t seem to stay away.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, tucking her body against him. “So stick around more. Maybe you’ll get used to me and stop getting so worked up over every little thing.”
Her head popped up. “So it’s my fault.”
“See how you’re starting with me again? I’m just stating facts.”
She huffed.
He pushed her head back to his chest and kept his hand there, holding her in place. “You take everything to heart.”
“Excuse me for having a heart. I am in the love business.”
He waited in silence, letting her cool down. He didn’t want to fight. He’d missed her and he felt good right now, really satisfied and hopeful things were finally going in the right direction.
“Have you ever proposed to someone?” she asked.
He wrapped her hair around his fist, loving the feel of it. “No.”
“This is my first proposal.”
He stilled. She had to know it was bogus, right? He’d thought she was just using that to get him to react. “He’s using you. Please tell me you know that.”
“Maybe.”
He tugged her hair back, tipping her face up to his. “Definitely. Tell him no. Tell him you’re with me.”
“I’m confused,” she whispered.
“There’s nothing to be confused about,” he growled. “You’re mine.”
“I’m not some possession.”
“You’re mine, period. Now go to sleep.” He pressed her head back to his chest, tension building in him. He was in deep, invested in their future, and she was…not.
She climbed on top of him, her head hovering over his, giving him hell. “I will not go to sleep! You can’t just say something like that and expect me to be okay with it. I’m a human being not a piece of property.”
He bit back a smile because he enjoyed this side of her, his warrior princess. “You’re grade A meat and I took a bite first.” He snapped his teeth at her.
“Meat!” She tried to get off him, but he wrapped his arms around her, holding her captive. She wriggled to get away, turning him on way too much.
“Relax. I’m kidding.”
She stilled. “I don’t think you are kidding. You really do think because I slept with you first—”
“Did you sleep with him?”
