Page 96 of Rooster

“I’ve been trying to take this thing with us slow, but that’s not working for me anymore.”

A mix of disappointment and fear crossed her face as she asked, “It’s not?”

“Nope.” I pulled her closer. “I think it’s time for us to take a step forward, and not just a little step. I’m thinking a big one, like a really big one, and I think we should take it sooner than later.”

“Okay, I’m lost.” She looked as puzzled as ever. “What are you talking about?”

“I think you and the kids should move in with me.”

“Woah, I wasn’t expecting that.” Her brows furrowed. “Do you really think we’re ready for that?”

“I know it’s soon, but yeah, I do.” I could see the doubts flickering in her eyes, so I added, “We got a good thing here, Maggie. We can keep doing this whole dating thing if you want, but it’s not gonna change anything. We’ll still have a good thing. Or we could take that step and start our lives together.”

“I gotta say, it’s pretty tempting.”

“Then, let’s do a trial run,” I suggested. “You guys come and stay with me for a couple of weeks. The kids are off for Christmas break, and things are slowing down at the salon, so this is as good a time as any.”

“When would you want to do this?”

“Tonight.”

“But what about the Christmas tree and all their presents?”

“I’ll take care of that. You won’t have to worry about a thing.” I could see the wheels turning in her head, so I gave her a little push. “Come on, Maggie. It’s not going to be perfect. Hell, there is no perfect. There will always be struggles. You just have to figure out who you want to struggle with, and I want to struggle with you. Day in and day out. It's you.”

“I want to struggle with you, too.”

“Is that a yes?”

Maggie

“You’re serious about this?”

“As a heart attack.” Ronin’s lips curled into a sexy smile. “I want you in my house and in my bed, and I want you there tonight and every night after.”

I wanted to say yes. I really did, but I wasn’t sure how Nathan and Samantha would feel about leaving the only home they’d ever known. “I should talk to the kids first and see how they feel about it.”

“I’d be good with it.” I turned and found both Nathan and Samantha standing in the kitchen. “I think it would be fun.”

“Me, too.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, as long as you are,” Nathan answered.

They all three stood silently, waiting eagerly for my response, and before I realized it, I was nodding and saying, “Yes, we will come stay with you.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear.” Ronin looked over at the kids and said, “Go pack a bag and be sure to grab your snow gear. We’ll hit the hill later in the week.”

“Awesome!”

They bolted down the hall and disappeared into their rooms, leaving me alone with Ronin. “We’re really doing this?”

“Looks that way.” He motioned his head towards my room. “You best get to packing. Won’t be long before the kids are packed and ready, and you don’t wanna keep them waiting.”

“Yeah, you’re right about that.” I eased up on my tiptoes and gave him another quick kiss. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Don’t get carried away. I’ll get the guys to come grab some more tomorrow.”

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