Coming up behind her, I wrapped my arms around her and lifted her off her feet. Then I sank onto an armchair and settled her on my lap.
She snuggled in, like a kitten, pressing her face to my neck. “I feel so guilty.”
I ran a hand down her hair. “You have nothing to be guilty about.”
“Ava-Jane and those other poor women are out there, somewhere, having horrible things done to them.” She hugged me tighter. “And I spent the night with you, having the best sex of my life.”
Tipping her head back, I kissed her. Soon, she was clinging, pressing into me as she kissed me back.
“You’re doing what you can for your friend. Wewillfind her. That doesn’t mean you don’t get to live your life, okay?”
She nodded.
“Now, I have something for you.”
Her face brightened. “A gift?”
“Yes.” Rising, I set her on the couch, trying not to notice the length of her bare legs. She really needed to get out of that nightie before I fucked her on the couch.
I went to the bookshelf where I’d left the box of things I’d had delivered yesterday. I handed it to Lili.
She studied the brown box with bemusement, then opened it.
She gasped. “Cole…”
I watched as she opened the kit inside. It was packed with semi-precious stones of all shapes and colors, coiled lengths of delicate wires, and lots of tools that were way too small for my big hands.
She stared at me. “You got me a jewelry making kit.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “You’ve got time now, and you told me how much you liked it. I thought you could make some stuff.”
She flew at me. I caught her, then she wrapped her legs around my waist and peppered kisses over my face. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
My chest swelled. Fuck, you’d think I’d given her a new car. “You’re welcome, sunshine.”
“I can’t wait to get started.”
“Good.” I set her down and tucked a loose strand of her red-brown hair behind her ear. I realized just how much I’d do in order to put that look on her face every day.
“I’m going to order us some dinner.”
“Mmm.”
I leaned against the kitchen counter and crossed my arms. Lili had claimed my dining table as her workspace and it was now covered in jewelry making stuff. She’d put some old newspaper down, had beads grouped across the surface of the table, and her head was bent over where she was carefully making…I wasn’t sure. A necklace? A bracelet?
She’d been busy working all day. I’d forced her to stop for lunch, but she’d instantly returned to her work, losing herself in it.
“You want Italian or seafood?”
“Sounds good.”
My lips quirked. I’d order seafood.
There was a knock at the door. I headed over and opened it to see Nash and Landon.
“Hey.”
The guys walked in, both wearing serious faces.
