Everything in its place.
Gasping for air, I pulled away and took both his hands in mine. He swayed forward, chasing my lips. I steadied him as herefocussed, his eyes suspiciously shiny. Then I kissed him on the nose and said, “I might have a solution for your future living arrangements.”
He side-eyed me. “Oh, do you now. And what might that be?”
“Well—” I brushed my thumb along his damp cheek. “—you can’t get an easier drive to the cottage than parking your ridiculously gorgeous Audi right out in front on a permanent basis.” I hesitated at the appearance of a small notch in his brow. “But only if the idea appeals to you. Maybe you’d like to date for a while first. See how we get on. I could?—”
Thaddeus shut me up with a hard kiss, then said, “That sounds perfect.” He grinned up at me. “And what are the odds that I just happen to have my life’s essentials boxed in the car with me. I sold what I didn’t destroy—don’t ask. They stank of Judd and too many mistakes.”
I laughed. “Which reminds me. You didn’t end up selling your company to Phillip?”
He grinned and waggled his brows. “Nope.” He popped thep. “After what that arsehole did with you that day, I withdrew my offer and raised it by a significant amount that I knew he’d struggle to find. Then I shoulder-tapped a friend in the industry who was looking for a similar investment. He outbid Phillip and the deal was done. I expect, long term, that the new partner will subsume T.G. Inc. into their existing business and do Phillip out of a role. But who knows, maybe Phillip will survive and come out smelling of roses. He’s like a cockroach that way.”
I chuckled. “And what about Judd?”
Thaddeus didn’t even pretend to hide his smile. “Judd will find himself collateral damage in the changeover. The new partner has no need of another low-level coder, and I suspect Phillip is tiring of Judd’s drama. He never wanted Judd as a boyfriend. I think it was more about getting one over me.”
I nodded, impressed. “This is all very mercenary of you, and I like it. Who are you and what have you done with Thaddeus Grey?”
He laughed. “A lot has changed in the last three weeks. It’s all still a work in progress, mind you, and I’ll fuck up for sure, but the only person I want to make happy now is me—” He kissed me softly. “—and occasionally you, if that’s something you’d be interested in?”
I kissed him back. “I think I can live with that. But are you sure that you want to move in with me? It’s pretty fast.”
Thaddeus studied me with a glint in his eye. “Never been more sure about anything. How much more are we going to learn about each other by dating first? We’ve already seen each other at our absolute worst, so I say to hell with playing it safe. Let’s go for it.”
“But I might not even still be here in a month,” I reminded him. “The council might win the hearing.”
Thaddeus pursed his lips as he considered that. “Then we’ll start again somewhere else. I’m up for it if you are. In fact, it sounds vaguely familiar, if I’m honest.” He pressed a finger to his lips. “Oh, that’s right. I think I just did that.”
I gave a soft snort and bundled him against me. “Hearing you say stuff like that, as if it’s something we’ll deal with together, I find myself thinking that maybe it’ll be okay. Maybe I will get through it.”
“Maybewewill get through it,” he corrected with a smile. “And we will. So, does that mean we’re good?”
I cradled his face and kissed him like I meant it.
When I was done, Thaddeus stepped back and patted both hands on my chest. “I’m gonna take that as a yes.” He bit his lip coyly. “And my mother wants to meet you, by the way.”
I blinked in shock. “Okay... wow. That came from nowhere. Should I be worried?”
Thaddeus winked. “Absolutely. But she’ll serve you her best food, so you’ll barely feel the pain.”
I was about to press for a little more information when the sound of rustling leaves had me spinning to check the forest behind.
“What’s up?” Thaddeus followed my gaze in time for us both to catch a flash of white moving through the bush. “Oh, look.” Thaddeus stepped around me. “It’s Ghost Dog. You see him too, right? Just so I know I’m not losing my mind.”
“Ghost Dog?” I turned Thaddeus slowly back around to face me. “Is this what you saw the night of the storm?”
Thaddeus grinned. “Yep. And a few times since. I call him Ghost Dog, but I have no fricken idea what it is.” His face creased with concern. “What’s wrong? You’ve gone really pale.”
I took a second to compose myself, then rested my hands on Thaddeus’s shoulders. “The very first time I visited the cottage, I saw yourGhost Dog.”
Thaddeus frowned. “Really? Wow. So it’s not just me.”
I shook my head. “Back then, I saw it as a sign that I should go ahead with the purchase.”
Thaddeus looked confused. “A sign?”
I nodded. “Because before I met James, I had a Cocker Spaniel called Joe.”
