Page 118 of Crimson Love

“Yes. But I was naked and on the edge of an orgasm. That’s not the real me. This is the real me who freaks out at things like ... realtors and land and the future.”

A smile pulls at my lips. “You did not preface that this morning when I made a promise to open up your future to new dreams. Stick with me. You’ll get used to it.”

“When exactly did you schedule this appointment with a realtor? After sex this morning and before your post op appointment?”

I come clean because there’s no way I’ll lie to her. “Yesterday. But I’m not about to turn down an opportunity to show you a dream. Try to come to terms with that on the drive back to Winslet so you don’t look like a deer in the headlights when we look at the first house. It’s important that you’re with me. I want you to want our future home.”

“I don’t know. But remind me to talk less during sex. I can’t be held accountable for what I say when you do all those things to me.”

“Knowing that you’re agreeable during foreplay is helpful. I’ll tuck that away for another day.”

She frowns and bites my name. “Jett.”

I smile. “Baby.”

She sits back in her seat. “Okay, okay. Let’s look at land when I don’t have a proper coat or boots. I’ll freeze ... it’s fine.”

I put the truck back in drive and pull out into traffic. “You can wear my coat, and I’ll carry you.”

She gapes at me. “There’s no way I’m letting you carry me for at least another six months. Maybe a whole year.”

“Little do you know. I carried you into the hospital when you were poisoned.” I reach over, grab her hand, and pull it to my lips. “And you just talked about the future. I’m proud of you.”

She reaches for the dashboard and cranks up the radio. “You’re impossible.”

I grin as I turn onto the highway. “Stick with me. I’ll make you a dreamer eventually.”

Lennon

W e’re halfway back to Winslet and it doesn’t matter that I’ve put on the radio. Jett is having none of it. He’s rapid fire questioning me about houses. And he won’t take no for an answer or allow me to ignore him. I finally give in and start answering.

“Gas or electric range?”

“We had electric on the boat, so I guess gas. I don’t need any bad memories in the kitchen.”

“Do you like long baths or steam showers?”

I sigh. “A bath sounds nice. I had enough natural steam in Florida for a lifetime.”

“How big of a closet do you need?”

“I have two pairs of shoes and have only shopped at thrift stores since I escaped. Unless Harlow keeps giving me clothes, I need two square feet.”

“White walls or color?”

“Why can’t we have both?”

“True. Hardwoods or tile?”

“Again, why not both?”

“Shit. I need better questions. How about a white picket fence or privacy fence?”

“I’ve never had a fence. You’re stressing me out.”

“This is not stress, baby. This is fun.”

“This is so not fun.”