Page 128 of Billionaire Bad Boy Auction

She traced patterns on my chest, her touch feather light. “So what does that mean for you? If you’re not spending all your time worrying about Seth?”

“It means I’ve got time to think about what I want.” I caught her hand, pressing it flat against my heart. “And I want you, Portia. Not just tonight. Not just tomorrow. I want to see where this goes.”

She bit her lip, her eyes searching mine. “Are you sure? I don’t want to pressure you into anything. But I want you to know I’m here. I’ll be here.”

“Last time I was terrified,” I admitted, my voice rough. “I was convinced you’d wake up one day and realize you deserved better than this town. Better than me.”

“And now?”

I brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Now I realize I was being a stubborn ass. That I should’ve trusted what we had. That I should’ve trusted you to know your own mind.”

A smile bloomed across her face, lighting up her eyes. “Did Dean Jackson just admit he was wrong?”

I growled playfully, rolling on top of her and pinning her hands above her head. “Don’t push it, Watson. But maybe I’ve done some growing up too. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?”

She laughed, the sound warming me from the inside out. “Fine. But I reserve the right to remind you of this moment the next time you’re being stubborn.”

“Which will be when?”

“Probably tomorrow,” she said dryly.

I chuckled, pressing a kiss to her lips. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

We got up and started to dress. Portia slipped her dress back on. I watched her, my chest tightening. She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to tame the waves I’d made a mess of earlier. She caught me staring and smirked.

“What?” she asked, tilting her head.

“Just thinking,” I said, pulling on my shirt. “You’re still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away, but I didn’t miss the way her lips curved into a small smile. “Smooth.”

I grabbed my jacket off the floor and handed it to her. “Here. It’s cool out.”

She caught it. “Thanks.”

We locked up and headed back on my bike. Portia climbed on behind me, her arms wrapping around my waist like they belonged there. Her warmth pressed against my back as I started the engine. The ride back to my place was quiet, the hum of the bike and the cool night air wrapping around us like a cocoon. Portia’s grip on me tightened slightly as I took a sharp turn. I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corner of my mouth.

When we pulled into the driveway, she slid off the bike and pulled off the helmet as I killed the engine.

“Still looks the same,” she said quietly, almost to herself.

“Yeah,” I replied, grabbing her hand and leading her up the steps. “Haven’t had much reason to change it.”

We walked inside together. I knew we had been together for less than an hour, but I was already envisioning her moving in. She could sell her house or keep it, but I knew she loved it here and I knew she would love to live here. Together. Me and her against the world.