Page 89 of Newly Tied

“Don’t you know everything about me?”

“Apparently I didn’t, but I do now,” I murmured.

“Yes,” he said, and his eyes, as he looked at me, were warm.

I glanced away because it was a lot of honesty. “You better take me to Costco and buy me more supplies.”

“I have lots at my place, so I can give you some. Or maybe since you’re going to be spending lots of time with me, maybe don’t worry about it.”

I was quiet.

“Hey.”

When my gaze met his, I found him staring. We were both having trouble and needed a reset. We had to get back to being us.

“Can we be done with you bein’ worried and me bein’ unsure?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yeah. Let’s be done.”

“I know you,” I said, reaching out to cup his cheek. “You know me. We’re good.”

“Yes,” he said, inhaling a breath through his nose. “I was rougher with you than you were with me.”

“You were,” I agreed, drawing him forward, the two of us separated by the stupid thirteen-gallon garbage can.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

I shook my head. “No, you did not. The beggin’ and whinin’ should have clued you in.”

“Was that you?”

“Hard to have been anyone else.”

He grunted.

“So, then, yes, I would very much like to ride you in my bed next time.”

“Or my bed,” he countered. “I mean, either or.”

“Yes. Either or.”

And now he was looking at me and I was looking right back.

“Would it be all right if we went to bed now and lied down?” he asked softly, stepping around the can to wrap me in his arms. “I would like to kiss you.”

“I would like that,” I told him. “And maybe you could drop the towel in the laundry basket on the way.”

“Yeah, good call.”

TEN

There was some kissing, more snuggling, and very soon after, napping. When we woke up, it was a little after eight thirty and we had to get moving if we were going to stop and get food before showing up at the party.

“Or we could not go,” Lang said from the shower as I was drying myself off. No way could both of us fit in that stall. “And by the way”—he gestured around himself—“reason number 867 why my place is better.”

“Yes, yes,” I placated him.

“You have all the stuff I left over here, don’t you?”