Page 138 of Money Reigns
And fuck—
There it is.That look.The one I want to wake up to for the rest of my life. A mix of awe and hesitation, like she’s terrified to believe in something good, but wants to anyway.
Wants me.
“I have to pack the sweater,” she finally says softly, like she needs to say something, anything.
I laugh under my breath and kiss her. Gentle. Deep.
I pull back slightly, brushing my nose against hers.
“You bring whatever you want, my sweet girl. Just don’t forget that you’re already mine.”
Her phone buzzes on the nightstand. The sound is sharp in the quiet, cutting through the warmth between us.
Olivia glances at the screen. Too quick. Too careful.
Her face shifts, barely, but I catch it.
She presses a kiss to my jaw and slips out of my arms. “I’ll take this in the kitchen.”
My heart drops.
Kitchen.
Not here.
Not in front of me.
Something cold claws its way through my ribs as I watch her disappear around the corner. My jaw tightens. I try to tell myself it’s nothing
But I’m not the kind of man who ignores instinct.
And right now, my instinct is screaming.
I stay frozen for a beat.
Then I’m moving. Following.
My heart’s pounding harder than it should, heavier than it ever had, like every instinct in me already knows whatever waits in that call isn’t something I’ll like.
Not one fucking bit.
Chapter twenty-seven
Olivia
Ilean against the counter and swipe to answer.
“Hey, Mama.”
“Hi, Liv Bug,” she says, her voice warm and tired all at once. “You haven’t called in a while. Are you alright?”
Guilt punches me square in the chest.
She’s right. I haven’t called. Not since… not since Warren. Not since my whole life shifted into his orbit.
“Yes, I’m good,” I say quickly, forcing a smile she can’t see. “Is everything okay with the inn?”
