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“So you’re saying it’s safe, then?” I grinned, thinking again how lucky I was to have a man who looked that fine in a suit but then could peel out of those clothes and look devastatingly handsome in his jeans and flannel. I hadn’t been a hard hat girl before, but I knew from experience how handy that tool belt was in certain moments. The memory burned hot in my mind, making my cheeks flush as I bit my lip.
Liam’s bright eyes followed the motion, his throat working as he cast a long, meaningful look over my body. My spine arched, as if encouraged by his look alone. Then again, he didn’t seem to mind.
“Stop worrying. I want you to see something.” Liam held my wrist, tugging me across the precarious floor and into the back room. He swept his hand wide. “Say hello to my brand-new home office.”
My jaw went wide. “Here? Liam, this one is in pretty rough shape.”
He grinned. “That’s what makes it so exciting. We’ve been working on this building for a few weeks. We just started upstairs and are working our way down.”
I walked into the room, the beautiful, old characteristics still so bold under the peeling paint. “It’s going to need a lot of work.”
“The best things take a lot of work,” Liam teased, leaning in for a knee-melting kiss. “Or so I’ve been told.”
I grinned, moving to the window to look out. Liam was right about this place. There was something special here. I curled my fingers together as my chest got tight.
“That’s not all though. Come on.” Liam grabbed my hand, interlacing our fingers as he dragged me back to the staircase. “The first floor will be an office for me. But up here, this is the living space.”
“Excuse me?” I looked around, my jaw practically swinging. The first floor might have been covered in construction dust and stray tools, but the floors above were freshly renovated, the bright lights showcasing an immaculate kitchen and dining room, the shine of brand-new appliances winking back at me as I stared.
“Liam, this…this is amazing.” My fingertips eagerly ran over the edge of the gas stove, the subway tiles of the backsplash. “It’s even more beautiful than the penthouse.”
“I had something special in mind when I built it.”
I smiled, watching as he moved toward me, his face strangely pale. “Liam, what’s up?” I grabbed his hand, moving my other hand to his face. “You got all pale. Is everything okay?”
Liam bit his lip hard, turning the sensitive flesh pale under his white teeth as he stared down at me. “Everything is amazing. More perfect than I ever believed it could be. And I owe that all to you. You gave me the jolt I needed to realize that I wanted more from my life and that I deserved the chance to have it.”
I couldn’t stop the smile that pulled at my mouth. “Because you do deserve it.”
“Well, now that I’ve had a taste of what real happiness is, I can’t imagine living without it. Or living without you.”
My head cocked as he leaned back to slide a plain, flat box from the back pocket of his jeans. He held it out to me. With shaking fingers, I popped it open and stared at the shining metal key inside. I look up at him, struck silent. “Liam?”
“The doors are all fingerprint enabled, but there is nothing romantic at all about a piece of technology,” he said quickly, pulling the key out of the box and holding it out between us. “I want you to move in here. I want you to be a part of my day, every morning, every night, every bit of the stupid and brilliant parts. Please, say yes.”
I kept my face still, schooled and blank, as I reached between us and curled my fingers around the key. “Nothing would make me happier.”
With a whoop, Liam swept me up in his arms and swung me around as I laughed and clutched the key in my fingers. The next stage in our relationship swept over us, blanketing me with a joy I wasn’t sure was possible.
At least before him.
Now I knew.
“What do we do now?” I whispered against his lips.
Sparkling gray eyes went dark, a mischievous glint shining in them. “Well, we’d better continue our tour.”
“There’s more?” I looked around eagerly, spotting the staircase.
Liam grinned, swinging his arms under my knees and picking me up bridal style. “You haven’t even seen the upstairs yet. That’s where the bedroom is. I think we should start there.”
Tucked against his chest, I laughed, loving the way the sound echoed off the walls of our new home together, the key pressed tightly between my fingers and over my heart.Ourbedroom. Yes, ours.
It was a bright room, centered by an enormous four-poster bed. As if by magic, the curtains blew slightly, and I was drawn across the room.
I would wake up here, next to him. I would look out these windows and feel this warmth on my face.
I was home.
