The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (127)

“I made grilled cheese.”

“Not hungry.”

“With grilled cheese, it’s not about hunger. It’s about the yummy goodness.”

He didn’t respond, but I wasn’t giving up. I climbed onto the bed and sat cross-legged in front of him. “Let’s make a deal. For one grilled cheese, I’ll tell you a secret. Two grilled cheese, I’ll show you what’s in my pocket. Deal?”

I chewed on my lip. The bed shifted when he moved. There was a click, and then a soft glow chased away some of the darkness.

“It better be a good secret,” he said with a smirk. “I hate cheese.”

“What kind of psychopath doesn’t like cheese?” Way to charm him, Four.

He picked up a sandwich without responding.

“You don’t have to—”

But he was already biting into it. A couple more bites and the sandwich was toast.

“Spill,” he growled.

I handed over the Gatorade, and he chugged it while keeping one eye on me.

I took a deep breath.

I could do this.

It was both impossible and not so impossible to believe I hadn’t spoken the words before.

Here goes nothing.

“I love you.” Damn, that felt good. And right and—

Did he just snort?

With my heart at his feet, I realized that maybe I was too late.

“It’s nice to finally hear you say it back, but it’s hardly a secret.” I was ready to remind him of all the reasons I didn’t say it until now, but he spoke first. “I love you too.”

But even in the dim light, I could see the wariness in his eyes. I gestured to the second sandwich and grabbed the last one for myself. I needed cheesy courage for what came next. I was still nibbling on my first bite when he finished his.

“Show me.” I was beginning to reconsider putting up with his bossiness when he said, “Please.”

Oh, all right.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the platinum ring. He froze when I held it out. “This was my father’s ring. I want you to have it.”

“Why?” he choked out.

“Think of it as your promise to me.”

He studied the ring for a moment. “What am I promising?”

“That no matter what…no matter why…you’re mine.”

Dark honey shone with confusion and then disbelief. “She told you?”

“She told me.”




“I have something for you too,” Ever said as he lazily ran a hand down the naked curve of my hip. He was the first to speak since our big finish. We had just finished making love, and Jay D, to Ever’s displeasure, was soundly sleeping at the foot of his bed.

“If it’s more sex, I think I’m good until Christmas,” I purred.

He snorted. “Like you’d wait that long. I think you love it more than I do.”

“That’s because you’re better at it.”

With an arrogant half smile, he said, “Won’t argue with you there.”

I felt my lips purse as I glared at him. “What you have for me better be diamonds or else you’ll be waiting until New Years to fuck me again.”

He smiled fully this time and kissed the curve of my hip before reaching into his nightstand and pulling out a slip of paper. He stared at it for a moment as if unsure before wordlessly handing it over. I wanted to see what had caused his change in mood, but I had trouble breaking free from his intense stare.

“Read it,” he ordered.

So I did.

APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF NAME OF ADULT

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF COWEN COUNTY, CT PROBATE DIVISION

TIMOTHY L. THOMPSON, JUDGE

IN RE: CHANGE OF NAME OF

FOUR ARCHER





TO REQUESTED NAME


DARREN ARCHER


The form went on, but the explosion of emotions didn’t allow me to see the rest. Fear and hope currently battled for dominance. “I…I don’t understand.”

“After you told me about how your name wasn’t a name, I thought maybe it was time you changed that. I just wasn’t sure this was what you would want.”

“Then why now?”

He shrugged, but I could tell he was nervous. “Since you’re taking a chance, I thought I’d take one, too.”

“I don’t know, Ever. Rosalyn—”

“She doesn’t have to know,” he quickly reassured. “At least, not now.”

Sitting up, I stared with longing at the paper and the name written boldly in ink.

Darren.

Not too feminine or exotic. It was perfect.

“You chose this name?”

He suddenly looked shy. “I also brought an extra form just in case you hated it.”

“I don’t hate it. I couldn’t.” His shoulders relaxed in relief. “But why Darren?”

Softly, he said, “It was the name my mother chose for my sister.”

“Oh, Ever.” I turned and rained what must have been a thousand kisses all over his face. “In that case, I’m also honored.”

“When you’re ready, we’ll file the petition together.”

“Okay,” I simply answered while hiding how much his bossiness turned me on.