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"Want to get started on that project right away?"
Christopher opens his mouth, but before he has a chance to answer, a beep from the nightstand startles both of us.
"That was my phone. A reminder I have to pick up the kids in about seventy-five minutes." Pouting, I add, "No time for your project right now."
"Not to brag, but I can do a lot in that time."
"I want to go home and change first. If they see me in these clothes, they'll realize I haven't slept at home."
Christopher pulls away. "You don't want to tell them about us?"
My stomach drops as I try to explain my conundrum. I push myself into a sitting position and cover my naked body with the bedsheet.
"I do. It's just that I… I don't know what to tell them. I don't want them to think we're going to start popping out babies soon. They like you a lot, but Lucas and Chloe think about you like a family friend of sorts. I don't want to confuse them, and I also don't want to get their hopes up." I groan, dropping my head in my hands. "I sound like a crazy person right now."
"No, you don't." Christopher runs his palm up and down my back, and the gesture relaxes me tremendously. "You sound like someone who's parenting her siblings and trying to do the best for them. That's one of the things I love about you."
His words fill me with a warm, fuzzy feeling, and I dive right back in the bed, cocooning at his side.
"You say all the right things. How do you always do that?"
"Special talent."
"Inherited?"
"Nope, all mine." He spoons against me, kissing the back of my neck.
"Say, why do you blame all the bad traits on your DNA but take full credit for the good ones? I can't help but be a little suspicious."
"Trust is the base of any healthy relationship," he says seriously, kissing that spot some more, luring a giggle out of me. "By the way, we can tell the kids together if you want. Your call."
"I think it's best if I do it alone."
"Okay. But I want to make one thing clear. When I made that commitment last night, it wasn't just to you. It was to them too."
"No disrespect to your seduction skills, but I wouldn't be in your bed if I didn't think you cared for my siblings.” Last night with him was… I don't even know how to describe it. It's as if my world had been spinning for months, and last night I found my balance in his solid, strong arms. “I want to make you the happiest man."
"I aim to make all four of you happy."
As he pulls me into a hug, I can't help the sense of unease taking residence inside my chest. With a jolt, I realize it’s November, almost two months since I met Christopher. In the short time I've known him, he's become important to me. Too important. If I had to let him go, I'd be devastated.
"You really do give the best cuddles," I inform him as I cocoon against him. Christopher instantly curls an arm around me, pulling me into a half embrace.
When I hear him yawn, I cringe, looking up at him. "Again, sorry for kissing you while you were sleeping. I didn't mean to wake you up."
"If there's one thing you never have to apologize for, it's kissing me." He surveys me, his gaze lingering on my mouth. "Actually, I've changed my mind. How do you plan to make it up to me for waking me up?"
"Letting you go back to sleep?"
"Wrong answer."
"So you're mad at me now?" I ask, grinning.
"Very." Wiggling his eyebrows, he leans into me, placing a gentle kiss on the hollow of my neck, then whispering against my skin, "I require a thorough apology."
"Define thorough."
Christopher pulls back, furrowing his brow as if this requires his utmost concentration.
