Page 18 of For Every Letter

He chuckles as he shakes his head. “Pretty sure I’m the one who won the jackpot.”

I love how he thinks that. I sigh. “I love you.”

He wraps his arm around my waist and tugs me to him. “And I love you, darling. What do you think about moving in with me here?”

“Here, as in the owner’s suite?”

He nods.

“Well.” I tap my chin as I pretend to consider the question. “If I gave up my apartment, I’d have more money to spend on the mortgage and renovation.”

“It is a sound economical decision.”

My nose wrinkles. “But I can’t move in with you until you meet my dad and brothers. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t need their approval. But things are easier if I pretend to want it.”

“My devious Sadie.”

“Devious sounds evil. I prefer the term crafty.”

He barks out a laugh. “You prefer the term crafty? You who nearly burned down this suite when you used the oven.”

“I wouldn’t say burned down.”

“And what about the flood when you took a bath?”

“Flood is an exaggeration of the facts.”

His body shakes with laughter. “I love you, Sadie. Life is never going to be boring with you around.”

“Me and Smuggler’s Hideaway. I can’t wait to show you the island. You’re going to love it. Oh, and I need to introduce you to Caleb. He struggled after he got out of the Army. Maybe you two can talk about it.”

He sobers. “Are you worried about me?”

My nose wrinkles. “I’m worried you left the Army before you were ready. You didn’t mention it once and then – bam! – I’m out. Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy you’re home.”

“Home. I like the sound of that.”

My heart skips a beat. “You are home, aren’t you? This isn’t a pitstop on your way to somewhere else?”

“My darling Sadie.” He brushes the hair off my face. “I thought I made this clear. Wherever you are is my home.”

“Sorry. I promise I’m not usually this needy.”

“Be needy all you want. I’ll reassure you until I’m blue in the face.”

There’s a knock on the door. “Sadie!”

“Good. Because that’s my dad on the other side of the door.”

Ben’s eyes widen. “Shit. And I’m naked in bed with his daughter.”

He rolls out of bed but forgets to remove the sheet and ends up falling to the floor with a loud thunk. I lean over the bed to look at him. “And now you’re on the floor naked.”

His cheeks darken. “Don’t make me spank you.”

My body tingles at the idea.

He groans. “And now I’m thinking about spanking your naked ass while your father is standing outside waiting for us.”