Page 66 of Love At Peace

“Well, yeah, the bed is a priority.” Fergus winked at me. “With a stud like him...?” He bumped his hip to mine.

“Oh, hush,” I teased.

He was right though. Now that Roarke and I didn’t have to fight so much about being together. Now that I wasn’t trying to keep him at arm’s length. And now that we were a couple in love and starting a new chapter together buying a house and living together, I let Roarke in.

Completely.

Hours later, after we thanked our friends for the help, Eric and I took out the garbage. He was much better with his ankle, and his memory had returned. Seeing the footage from the Rosarios’ camera served as a trigger to make him remember it all, and there were a good few days when he was livid, wanting to hurt David worse than what he would likely get in prison.

“I still can’t believe he wanted to use me to get to you,” he said as I walked him back to his truck.

“I can. He stooped to anything to get what he wanted.”

“Well...” He exhaled long and hard, surprising me by pulling me in for a hug. It was awkward, but heartfelt. “I’m glad you came home and got away from him. I’m sorry you went through all that.”

“Thanks, Eric.”

He nodded. “And given how you grew up, with your mom and dad, I can see why you struggled to fit in when you came back, after David’s control.”

“Just make sure I don’t stay too stubborn and keep everyone out as much.”

He smiled. “I bet this New Year’s is one you’ll never forget,” he said as he got into his truck.

“Damn right it is,” I said.

I came back to the porch where Roarke stood waiting for me. “What was that about? Eric hugging someone?”

I laughed. “I know. He’s so awkward but he tries. He was just saying that this is a New Year’s to remember for you.”

“It is.” He wrapped his arms around me until he hoisted me over his shoulder. “And I’m going to give you one more reason to want to remember it.”

I cracked up, laughing as he carried me to the bedroom. Between kisses and frantically getting our clothes off, neither one of us seemed to care that the bed wasn’t assembled. The boxes and bags weren’t unpacked.

We were in that newlywed phase where we couldn’t get enough of each other.

Rabid for that sweet release, we fell to the floor together and christened the bedroom.

“One room down,” he said as we lay together, sweaty and catching our breath, “and nine more to go.” He smacked my ass lightly.

I lifted my head from his chest. Staying right where I was, draped over him, I smiled. “Nine more to go?” I arched a brow. “You plan to have sex in that tiny little pantry or something?”

He smiled. “Yeah. Of course.”

I kissed him and sighed. “You’re crazy.”

“For you,” he replied. He sobered quickly though, glancing at his jeans that lay discarded on the floor. “If that’s Gavin texting to nitpick about how we moved that dresser again...”

I laughed. He was a good guy, and I was so happy he’d be all right.

When David shot him, he missed anything that would’ve been life-threatening. That was the real cincher in getting him charged and put behind bars. The call that had still been running between Gavin and Roarke’s phones was evidence against my ex. Coupling that with what Nevaeh testified, he was done for. No connection, no favor, and no bribe would save him now. He was facing the music for drugging women, for fraud, for attempted murder, assault. I think they were throwing on a few more things from previous crimes, too. All I knew was that he was officially, thoroughly, and undisputedly a thing of my past.

“Hmm.”

“What?” I asked when Roarke put his phone down.

“Nevaeh texted. She’s grumpy about her room.”

I rolled my eyes. “At least she has her own room. I’d be grumpy about a communal bathroom.”