Page 196 of The Silver Fox Brother

"Whatever happens with them doesn't matter."

Winter adjusts the ice against my jaw.

"This may get ugly."

"It may," I agree. "But we'll handle it together."

She leans her head against my shoulder and I wrap my free arm around her waist.

We sit like that for a while, just holding each other in the silence of my destroyed living room.

Then Winter shifts slightly and her hand comes up to my hair. Her fingers move through it gently, carefully, like she's trying to soothe me.

I look down at her and our eyes lock.

There's something so vulnerable in this moment. So open. So real.

The words come out before I can stop them.

"Move in with me. Officially."

Winter's hand stills in my hair. "What?"

"Move in," I repeat. "We're having a baby. I love you. It makes sense."

"Knox—"

"I want to take care of you," I say, looking down at her stomach.

"Make sure you're safe at all times. Both of you."

Winter pulls back slightly, her expression conflicted.

"I just..."

"Unless you don't want to," I add quickly.

"I want to," Winter says. "But maybe we should slow down. I already gave up an apartment before to move in with my boyfriend."

The words sting but I understand what she's saying.

"You can keep the Greenwich apartment," I tell her.

"I'll pay for it. It's yours if you love it. You don't have to give up anything for me."

Winter's eyes widen slightly. "Knox—"

"I mean it," I say. "If having that apartment makes you feel secure, then keep it. I don't want you to feel like you're giving up your independence by being with me."

A small smile crosses Winter's face.

"That's very generous."

I cup her face in my hand. "We're having a baby. There's no slowing down."

Winter laughs despite everything, the sound breaking through the tension. "Fair point."

I lean my forehead against hers.