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The hand he’d used to caress her arm switched to her hair as he began to unbraid it. “In the morning after we get up. There’s no rush. We’ll come home Sunday night.”
Closing her eyes, she smiled at his words. “I like when you say that.”
“Say what?”
“We’ll come home,” she repeated as she cleared her head of all the day’s activities and relaxed.
“Me, too.” He paused, his hand stopping. “I’ve loved having you here this week.” He began work on her braid again. “This place has felt like a home rather than just a place to sleep and shower since you’ve been here.”
Content to listen to him speak, she remained silent, her eyes closed.
“Are you still awake?”
At his question she opened her eyes. “Yes, just comfortable.”
“I don’t want you to move back to your place when your brother leaves.”
Attention caught, Addie sat up straight.
“I want you to move in here with me.”
Much like when he’d told her he loved her, Trent’s statement left her speechless. In all the years she’d read about him, she’d never read anything about him living with a woman. Of course that didn’t mean he hadn’t managed to keep such an arrangement under everyone’s radar. “You want me to move in?” she asked just in case she’d misheard.
Trent nodded in response. “If you don’t like it here we can move somewhere else. We don’t have to stay in the city.”
A unique mixture of apprehension and excitement gathered in her stomach. “No, it’s not that. I love it here.” She did love it, not only living in the city but Trent’s apartment. “It’s just we haven’t been together that long.”
“So what? I love you and want you with me. Time won’t change that for me.” A worried look passed over his face but disappeared before she could even blink. “Will it change anything for you?” The confident voice she’d come to know faltered.
“No, and if you’re sure, I’d love to move in here with you. I’ll have to rent my place or something, but that doesn’t bother me.”
At her response, Trent kissed her. A tender kiss filled with love rather than a hungry kiss like he’d greeted her with. “Good. Why don’t we head to bed?” Before she could agree or protest, he stood with her in his arms and carried up to his room.
***
Even with his body sated and Addie next to him sound asleep, Trent remained awake. Fed up with staring at the ceiling, he climbed out of bed and pulled on pair of workout shorts. After a quick stop to grab a container of ice cream from the freezer, he parked his butt in front of the television. A quick scan through his movie collection brought up his favorite Mel Brooks movie, History of the World Part I, a ridiculous over-the-top comedy that required little brain power to follow along. More bored than hungry, Trent dug into the container of mint chocolate chip as the movie started.
By the time the movie hit the Spanish Inquisition segment, he’d finished the container of ice cream and realized he’d spaced out so much during the movie, he’d missed some of his favorite scenes. As the monks on the screen did their song and dance routine, he thought back to his meeting with Marty that morning. As planned, they’d met to discuss developments with his likely opponents. So far Daniel Potter still remained his main competition. Rumors that Harry Thatcher planned to run turned out to be just that, rumors. However, Marty received confirmation that Shelly Runnel intended to run as a Tea Party candidate for the seat in Washington.
His discussion with Marty about his competition wasn’t what kept him awake now. Although pleased that Addie had quit the bakery, Marty had once again discussed their timetable. He wanted their relationship further solidified by the New Year at the latest.
The analytical part of him understood his advisor’s position, but the human side of him rebelled every time Marty mentioned Addie’s name. Sure, he’d gone into the relationship because Marty insisted she was his ticket into the Senate. Now though, he saw her as the woman he loved. The one he wanted to come home to every night and grow old with. Except in Marty’s presence, he never considered the impact she may or may not have on his political career.
Ever since his meeting, when he’d agreed to consider a proposal before Christmas, his conscience had haunted him telling him to come clean with Addie about why he’d first asked her out. The devil in him insisted he keep his mouth shut. If she ever found out, who knew how she would react? And besides, what difference did it matter now? He loved her regardless of his original reasons. Which led him to another thought. If he loved her and planned to spend the rest of his life with her, why not just propose soon like Marty wanted? He intended to do it at some point anyway. She’d already agreed to move in with him. If he did it in, say, a month, it would get Marty off his ass and, if the advisor was correct, increase his chances in the election.
As the French King, played by Mel Brooks himself, interacted with the other characters on the screen, Trent’s mind went back and forth. One minute positive they should stick to the original timetable they’d established for his relationship with Addie, and the next, prepared to hit the first open jewelry store he found and buy the biggest diamond engagement ring he could find.
“Trent?” Addie called from the doorway. “Are you okay?” Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she shuffled into the room, her hair a mess from sleep and her old Suffolk University nightshirt ending just above her knees.
“Yeah, just wanted a little snack.”
Addie looked at the empty ice cream container on the coffee table before sitting down next to him. As if programmed to do so, he placed an arm over her shoulders and pulled her into his side. “A little snack? I just picked that ice cream up yesterday.”
“I guess I was hungrier than I thought. On our way home Sunday I’ll buy you more.” Mint chocolate chip was one of her favorites and a flavor he’d never had until she brought it home to help soothe her sore throat. “I’m ready to go back to bed now. You?”
She nodded. “I only got up to look for you.”
***
