been tempted to say those words to her, but actively had to stop myself. It was supposed to be just sex, but if I was honest, it hadn’t ever been like that. Even if I’d been trying to convince myself that it was the whole time. I’d almost fooled myself into thinking it was just about her body, but deep down I knew it was more.
“I mean it. I’m not joking, Jared. I’m in love with you. Me acting weird at dinner wasn’t about what we did in the bedroom. It was about what I’d realized after you left. About how much I love you. This isn’t just sex for me. And the timing is horrible because I’m trying to—”
It was my turn to cut her off, stopping whatever bullshit excuse that didn’t matter, as I pressed my mouth against hers. She moaned, returning my kiss as she fisted my T-shirt. And whatever she was going to say was forgotten, opening her mouth and letting me inside to explore like I wanted.
She nibbled at my lips, my own teeth fighting back as we kissed, sucked and bit. It was hot and deep, and probably not romantic enough considering what she’d just said but I didn’t care. It was us.
“I love you, Presley.” I pulled away from her mouth so I could say the words and leave no doubt. “In love with you. Love you. I don’t know the best way to put it, but I know that these feelings are bigger than anything I’ve ever had. And the thought of being without you makes me fucking crazy.”
“Wow, that’s a relief. I was so worried you were going to say thanks but no thanks. I told you I wouldn’t make things more, and here we are. To be fair, you did warn me, and I did get attached.” She laughed.
“Just as well, because the feeling is mutual. You want to go out there and tell Tibbs? I think we should celebrate this loving feeling by stopping the sneaking around. I don’t want to lie to him anymore, Presley. And I want to be able to kiss you whenever I want without worrying about who is going to see it.”
It had been on my mind since I’d left the house, disappointed that she’d been with my family, but they hadn’t known she was actually with me. My mother would have lost her goddamn mind, been on the phone to Angela Tibbs and planning the fucking wedding. And while the idea had originally scared the hell out of me, I no longer gave a shit. I didn’t see a future without Presley in it, and if picking wedding cakes made our mothers happy, then who the hell cared?
“Can you give me a few days?” She winced, her hand on my chest slipping right across my heart. “My dad just left for Chicago for business, and I want to tell them all together. I know he’s your best friend, but I need to tell my parents first. After everything I put them through with Lewis, I think they deserve to know I’ve finally found a good one.”
Hearing the asshole’s name jacked up rage in me that wasn’t healthy. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that he was going to pay, and if Shapiro couldn’t find him, we’d track him down some other way. But none of it was ever going to land on her, Presley’s days of dealing with cocksuckers over.
“I will never hurt you, Presley. I need you to know that. Never. I don’t even know the full extent of what that shithead did, and I already want to kill him. But I can promise you right now, I’d die before hurting you.”
“I know.” She smiled, the light in her eyes enough to quell whatever doubts I might’ve had. “Which is why I want my parents to know and for them to see us together. Because there isn’t a doubt in my mind that you mean every single word.”
There was a buzz on Presley’s desk, her cell blasting an alert of an incoming text. She mouthed an apology, picking it up before flashing me the screen.
Big bro taking a piss and I’m done being social. Get lover boy out here for the handover or I’m telling him you’re pregnant and naming the kid after him. Choice is yours. And P.S. Yes, you could fire me but you’re not going to. Not tonight. B
“Guess you should go out there.” Presley rolled her eyes.