London Falling (Falling #2)(64)

“You waited for me?” His gaze searched mine. There was something strong and definitive behind the question.

“Yes. I don’t want to be without you,” I admitted.

“Christ, London, I just may be in love with you…“ I placed my finger over his lips to shush the words I wasn’t ready to hear. It was too much, too quickly. It had only been a couple months since we met and less since we last were intimate. There were things we needed to do and say before we went there now, if ever.

“There will be time for those words but right now, I’m scared.” I felt the tension creep back into my body. His hands rubbed up and down my back, the silky fabric added a lovely caress to the movement of his strong hands.

“I know Beauty. And we have a lot of it. Time that is. But things between us are going to change. Considerably.” His gaze warned me almost as much as his words did.

“What things?” I tipped my chin, prepared to defend my life and choices, even though I’d probably concede anything right now to keep this man a significant part of my world.

“For starters, no more spending the nights with clients.” His eyebrow lifted as he gauged how the demand hit me.

Really, I had already started work on making that change but he didn’t know that. “Done! Next?”

“No working weekends?”

Now that was ridiculous. How the hell would I get my work done in the six weeks’ allotted time if I didn’t work weekends? I was already booked into next year. There was no way I could change that now. “Not possible. Collier. I have a schedule to keep. This could affect my livelihood.”

“Not if you’re living with me, it won’t,” he said calmly, with no more emotion than if he asked about the weather or to ‘please, pass the salt.’

“Okay, you went from weekends to me moving in with you? Are you insane?” Seriously this man was two steps away from entering the looney bin if he thought I was ready for a leap that grand.

“Certifiable.” He grinned, then kissed my nose.

“Hopeless.” He dragged his cheek along mine sending shivers of desire to dance along my skin.

“Desperate.” His tongue traced my lips then dipped into my mouth. We kissed a few more moments, just enjoying the intimacy after so long.

“Seriously, you’re not asking me to move in, are you? I’ll work on the weekend thing, but I’m not ready--”

This time his finger covered my lips. “I know, my love. Take off two weekends a month as a start. You need time with me and your family.”

“Okay,” I conceded needing to give in somehow. “I’ll work two weekends a month and I’ll make sure the reveal is part of that timeline.” He smiled wide and hugged me close. “God, you smell so good. Like fresh baked cinnamon pastries. I could just eat you up.” He licked, kissed, and bit along the column of my neck and down to my shoulder. Forget the wedding; I just want to find a nice quiet room with a bed so we could properly have makeup sex.

“Anything else?”

“I want you staying with me at my flat as much as you’re capable. Ideally, I’d also prefer it if Tripp moved out of your apartment.”

Hold the phone. Huge warning bells clanged. Sirens blared and big flashing lights skidded this love train to an immediate halt.

“Excuse me? You want me to kick my best friend in the whole world out of his home?” The words came out tight. I tried to step away from his comforting embrace. I felt anything but comfortable right at this moment. He wouldn’t let me move an inch.

“Yes. I’d like for the two of you to not live with one another, but I know that would be exceedingly difficult on you.”

“Difficult? Talk about life-altering.” The mere thought made me nauseous.

“Right, life-altering. Exactly what I’m proposing with you. A life-altering arrangement. I don’t want you as my fling, my back door trollop, London. I want you as my mate. My girlfriend. And in the future more.” The word ’more’ had my skin beading with a cold sweat. I opened my mouth to respond but he moved on. “I understand you’re afraid, so we’ll start small. First, we’ll be exclusive. You will be my significant other and I yours. We will spend evenings at one another’s homes as desired. No requirements, no set dates. Just when we have the ability.”

A giant weight lifted off my chest, fully understanding what he was proposing. This I could work with. A little more time for him, a little less time at work and with Tripp. I’d make Tripp understand.

“I can see all of this swirling around in that beautiful head of yours. Do you think you can try?” His tone was sincere, so filled with love and hope that I knew for him, I could try anything.

“For you, for me… “ I placed my hand over his heart. “For us, I will try.”

“I can’t wait until this pomp and circumstance is over and I have you back at the hotel, in my arms.” Collier nuzzled my neck and slid his hands around my waist, holding me close.

I whispered in his ear, “It doesn’t matter where we are, Collier. When I’m near you, it’s the only place I ever truly want to be.”

As we kissed, a door behind us slammed.

“The evil bitch better back off or so help me God!” Oliver screeched as he tore down the hallway. When he got to us, his face was flame-red and his hair a mess.