I led him toward the large guest room at the end of the hall.
“This place is huge,” he commented as we shut the door behind us. “I’m surprised she likes living here alone.”
I shrugged. “It’s been her home for fifty years. It’s what she knows. But the upkeep gets harder and harder as she gets older. I always wished I was more handy to be able to help her fix things.”
“I can help,” he offered without hesitation as he pulled his T-shirt over his head and tossed it on the ground.
Would I ever not lose my breath at the sight of his gorgeous body on display? Something told me not.
“That’s nice of you.” I smiled. “But you know how she is, she’d probably fight you on it tooth and nail.”
“She’s a stubborn one,” he agreed, pulling me into his arms as we got under the covers. “You didn’t answer my question earlier,” he murmured, his lips against my temple.
I swallowed hard, and despite knowing exactly what he was talking about, issued a quiet, “hmmm?” in response.
“Yeah, baby.” He chuckled in exasperation. “About moving in?”
“Don’t you think it’s too soon?” I hedged with concern. “You’ve barely hit the tip of the iceberg with my messiness, and that includes nearly breaking your neck the other night.”
He’d tripped over my boots in the middle of the night. Had it not been for his downright superhuman reflexes, he would have landed on his ass.
“Keeps me on my toes.” He chuckled easily. “And no, I don’t think it’s too soon. Any other excuses?”
I bit my lip trying to come up with something, and he threw his head back and laughed quietly. He climbed up over my body, peering down at me with happiness shining in his dark eyes. “Babe, I know we haven’t known each other as long as some, but I’m pretty sure I know what I’m getting into.” He winked before his gaze turned serious. “I want it all. I want your things mixed with mine, even if that means they’re on the floor. I want to pick your pepperoni off your pizza and watch you eat pudding with the back of a spoon. I want to have a dog constantly underfoot and a cat that pretends he hates me most of the time, but in reality, I know I’m winning him over.”
I wasn’t so sure about that but remained silent, in awe of the words coming out of his mouth.
“More than anything, I want to come home to you,” he murmured, his gaze beseeching. “You’ve made it a home just being in it, and I know you’ll make it even more so once we put your touch on things.” He dipped his head, pressing his forehead to my chest.
I ran my hands over his short hair, relishing his closeness.
He looked up at me, a newfound determination glimmering in his eyes. “I want… I just want you, Em.”
I stared into his earnest face, seeing nothing but my future staring back at me.
“Okay,” I agreed resolutely. Since that very first night, it had been hard to fathom being apart.
His brows rose. “Okay?” he grinned.
I nodded.
He dipped down to kiss me soundly. “I’m going to make you so fucking happy,” he breathed.
“You already do,” I assured him as he settled beside me, wrapping me up in his arms.
As we drifted off to sleep, my mind shifted to that future, the one I’d never thought I’d have that now lay wrapped around me.
Now that I knew what this felt like, what true happiness was, I’d never let it go.
****
I sat up suddenly, unsure at first what had woken me. I listened intently and then heard the sound of the tea kettle. A glance at the clock showed it was 2:00 a.m.
May.
I lifted the covers and sat up, trying to clear my sleep-laden mind.
Travis large hand splayed across my back. “Okay?”