Page 124 of Made Better Together

“Me too.”

“So you’re going to be at Avery’s tonight?” Rawley’s driving me home from the game, and it feels prudent to double-check. Last thing I want right now is my brother walking into what I have planned.

“Yup. Not that I don’t love you being at the condo, but it’s nice to have the privacy of her house.”

I’m not surprised, especially since Avery’s returning from a three-day trip for a commercial shoot. I’m honestly counting the days until he announces that he’s moving into her place.

Hopefully I’m in a position to get my own soon—I couldn’t afford to take over his mortgage, and no way am I letting him cover for me long term.

In the meantime, it’s huge that Eden and I have the condo to ourselves tonight. I want us to take our time. My research this week has been…illuminating.

Fundamentally, the online guidance emphasized the importance of establishing trust. One of the key things I want to go for tonight, and earn from her in this context.

Which means taking everything even slower. With lots of communication about what feels good, and what doesn’t.

On top of that, it turns out there are entire checklists of possible activities. For people with experience in kink, the lists help communicate likes and dislikes. But speaking for myself, I don’t even know what I enjoy most.

Eden had flagged her favorite scene in the book as one involving food play, so that’s a clue, and where I’m starting us tonight. From there…definitely it’ll be good to have a more thorough perspective from her end.

Which means not pushing things tonight too far, too fast. That’s fine. Because my interest in her—it’s been burning long before this newest discovery. I’m still fucking blown away that I get to have her in my life, period.

“Here you are,” Rawley says as he parks outside the front lobby. “Chez Battle.”

“Thanks, don’t expect all those leftovers to still be around when you return.”

He’d made a massive batch of veggie egg bites this morning. I’m definitely offering them to Eden tomorrow. Tonight, I have other plans to feed her.

Of course he doesn’t know any of this, but still snorts. “Not with your garbage disposal of a stomach. Good thing I can afford you.”

I know he means the comment as a joke, but my stomach twists. Once these practice squad checks start rolling in, I need to take care of things myself.

“Have fun. Say hi to Avery for me.”

Walking into the building, I greet the lobby attendant, who responds in kind. “Good evening, Mr. Battle. There’s a grocery order waiting here for you.”

Just as I planned—I’d called it in while waiting for Rawley after the game.

“I’m going to check one thing, and then I’ll be back down to get it.”

I grab an elevator, but head to the roof instead of Rawley’s floor. When the doors open, it’s empty as always. The rooftop is open to anyone in the building, but the people who pay for these expensive condos aren’t exactly the type to hang out in communal spaces. Each residence has its own smaller balcony anyway.

Still, the building management company has the rooftop set up for use. Cozy outdoor couches are centered around a sturdy-looking coffee table, and in a corner is a hot tub. Rawley swears he’s never seen people use it.

The space is perfect for what I have planned. I pick up the groceries from downstairs and then get organized.

An hour later, the building attendant calls me and lets me know that Eden’s here.

I head back down to collect her. When the elevator opens on the ground level, she’s already smiling in my direction, waiting for my arrival. She’s wearing a sleeveless pale blue dress with a white cardigan thrown over it—simple, effortless, and natural. Perfect for Eden. The glow of her skin and brightness in her eyes light a matching flare in my chest.

She’s all mine tonight.

“You look beautiful.”

“Thanks.”

“Come with me.” I take her hand and start guiding her back to the elevator. “We’re heading to the roof.”

“Oooh, intriguing.” I give her hand a squeeze as we step in.