Chuckling, I stand, coming chest to chest with her. Her soft, warm hand flattens against my lower stomach. Holding back a groan, I swallow and meet her eye.
“I don’t care about the rumors,” she says again. “I just… I thought—I don’t know.” She shakes her head at herself and a lock of hair falls loose.
Brushing it behind her ear, my thumb lingers on her cheek. “I thought it was a private moment, something just for us.” My confession makes her shoulders visibly relax. “Just because we’re dating for the town, doesn’t mean every moment we share has to be theirs. This new arrangement gives us more time, which is why I’m not in a rush.”
Nodding, she lets out a pent up breath and crawls into bed. After I pull back the comforter, she watches me settle into the spot next to her. I’m immediately enveloped by her sweet honey butter scent—it’s ingrained into her sheets, her pillows, my fucking soul.
We both lie back, turning on our sides to look at each other and she slides her hand closer to me. “Good night, Liam.”
I interlace our fingers. “Good night, honey.”
She’s about to say something else when Rosie starts whining and trying to jump up on the bed. It’s a few inches too high for her, and I usually keep stairs at the foot of the mattress so she doesn’t hurt her back.
“Oh my God,” Calypso groans and turns away from me. I’m leaning over, ready to tell Rosie to go back to her bed on the floor when Calypso adds, “Just bring her up—but she better stay by your feet.”
Rosie looks at me likeyeah right, but I scoop her up anyway.
We’re silent after that, each of us falling asleep easily in the new comfort of our temporary home.
Chapter Nineteen
Calypso
My hair tickles my cheek before a familiar, calloused hand brushes it back.
Blinking awake, I find Liam sitting on my side of the bed, already dressed for the day. Groggily, I look at the clock.
Six-thirty a.m.
“Is everything okay?” I ask in a raspy voice and push to sit.
Gently, Liam holds my waist and guides me back to my pillow. “All good, honey. Nothing to worry about. I’m just leaving for work, and I didn’t want you to wake up to an empty house.”
“Oh,” I murmur and settle back in bed. His hand is still on my stomach, warming me through my t-shirt. “It’s early.”
He nods. “I started leaving at this time to see you.”
My brows crinkle. “Are you not going to come in anymore?”
It feels silly—desperate. We live together, at least for the next three weeks, so there’s no reason for Liam to rearrange his day for a few extra minutes with me.
He smiles. “I’m still going to visit as often as I can. It’s the best part of my day.” I relax a little. “ButnowI have to be home in time for dinner.”
I do my best at acting annoyed but I’m too tired to give it my best effort. “I’m not cooking for youeverynight,” I insist.
He chuckles and leans over me. “Never expected you to, but I’ll be here to help on the nights you do want to cook.”
“And to use your card on the nights I don’t,” I tease.
“Exactly.” He kisses me softly. “And tell me how I can help with bills—groceries, electricity, any of it.”
I shake my head and wrap one of my arms around his neck. “Not happening.”
It’s the first time we’ve discussed finances since he moved in a few days ago. My mortgage is low, and if he’s only here for a few weeks, there’s no point in worrying about stuff like that. I wouldn’t expect it from anyone.
“It is.” He presses his lips to mine again before I can argue. “We’ll start with ordering dinner tonight, though.”
Tonight.
