Page 47 of Wild Tides
My jaw tightened. I forced a breath into my lungs, making my chest expand against the fear that tried to lock the words inside.
“I do. But I also like running water. And I think you’ve become a little like that.”
My admission danced in the air between us.
The flicker of answering fear in her eyes was unmistakable, a tiny crack in her composure. She snorted. “Ready to drown you if you make a wrong move?”
“No,” I chided softly, letting affection color my voice. “While I could probably live without running water, why would I want to? Life is so much better with it. Life is better with you.”
She parked in front of the house. I tangled my fingers with hers, drawing them to my lips. Grazing her knuckles with a gentle kiss. Her gaze followed the gesture, zeroing in on my lips. Making me want to kiss her, not just her hand.
“My life is better with you in it, Violet Fenwick. Any way you’ll have me.”
“You mean that, Lee?” The tremor in her voice slayed me. Like she couldn’t quite believe.
I nodded, willing her to understand just how much truth there was behind every word. “We can take things at your speed, Cupcake. I know what I want, but if you need time, I’ll give it to you.”
She smirked, just a brief twist of her lips, but it still brought a smile to my face. “So magnanimous, Murphy.”
I lifted my shoulder. “What can I say? I’m a generous guy.”
Her eyes darkened, sending an answering tightness to my groin as I recalled the delights that came from being so generous. Her earthy taste on my tongue. Her breathy cries filling the air. Vi was easy to lavish with my attention.
She looked torn, and I held my breath. Would she agree to stay?
Chapter 23 – Violet
My tongue itched to tell Lee I never wanted to leave. But, in reality, I needed time. We needed time. Moving in with him now would feel too much like circumstances forced us together, his injury leading us, not genuine conviction.
I wanted it to be an actual choice, made clear-eyed. Not in the afterglow of our night together. Not something he’d regret once he remembered how much he liked his solitude. I’d put aspects of my life on hold to help him heal. I needed to know that when the blush of first lust wore off, he still wanted me as much as I wanted him.
I’d gone long enough being the one people left behind when something better came along. I couldn’t fault any of my roommates for choosing love. But I wanted to make sure Lee wasn’t choosing convenience.
“I think it’s time for me to spend a night at my place.”
His crestfallen expression made me want to call the words back. I wasn’t trying to wound him; I just needed to protectmyself. Old fears whispered that I was only convenient. Temporary. With Lee, the risk of being wrong felt terrifying.
“But I want to host a game night with the gang. Why don’t you bring a bag and stay?”
“Be careful, Cupcake.”
I stilled. His tone was more promise than warning. “About what?”
“I might never leave.” He held my gaze.
His voice was so quiet, so certain, something inside me cracked. I’d dreamed of words like that before, but he sounded like he meant them.
“That doesn’t sound like a problem.” Lee had lived this long without me, but the way he looked at me now made me believe maybe he didn’t want to anymore. “I’ll be back late this afternoon to pack up my things. I can drive you to my place at the same time if you’re done with work for the day.”
“Deal.”
Lee shuffled inside, and I left the car parked at his place, walking down the hill to the Salty Pantry to relieve Gran, who’d covered for me and opened the shop.
Things were slow all afternoon, leaving me too much time to think. I’d barely been home in days, and my offer to bring Lee with me tonight meant I’d have no time to perk up the house. He’d see it in all its messy glory. Without Anya, I’d become a bit of a pig, more lax than usual with my housekeeping standards. If Lee’s office was any sign, he wouldn’t care. But the rest of his house was spotless when I moved in. The dichotomies in the man I’d known forever intrigued me. I could only hope my chaotic side was more appealing than deal-breaking for him.
I texted a game night invite to the group chat, offering to make a potato soup, and Anya, Rae, and Lucy all volunteered to bring dishes to turn it into a potluck. As much as I wanted to hang out with my friends and enjoy a low-key night, I alsowanted to share what Lee and I learned at Dr. Underwood’s. Lee wasn’t the only one with a Spidey sense for hinky behavior. No matter what the authorities believed, Dr. Underwood seemed to be involved in her husband’s shady business up to her perfectly arched eyebrows. Chatting up Dr. Underwood’s receptionist was more revealing than I’d expected.
I rushed through a trip to the grocery store after work, picking up ingredients for dinner. Swinging by Lee’s for the last of my things only took a few minutes. The door to his office was closed, and I used it as an excuse not to disturb him. He’d lost a lot of work time thanks to my laptop ransom. I could give him a few extra hours to focus. Now that Dr. Underwood had released him to drive, he could join me in his own time.
