Page 178 of Their Naughty Student
His arms came around me, a signal for my body to soften, my chest to expand.My heart slammed hard against my ribs.I didn’t stop kissing him, even as he took over, controlling my mouth as he backed me against the dresser.
Edge pulled back, his hands cupping my face as he stared into my eyes.“You don’t have to say it back,” he finally said.“I just needed you to know how I felt.”
“I love you, too,” I whispered.“Always have.Always will.”
He visibly relaxed then, his hands becoming gentler as he pulled me into him again.My arms went around his neck as we fell into one another, physically and emotionally.
The firestorm of emotion took a little time to settle as we feasted on one another.When it did, I didn’t feel as though I was standing.More like walking on a cloud.
Reality sank back in when I caught sight of the hotel room.
“It’s still here,” I told him.
“What’s that?”
“This crappy hotel room.”
Edge laughed.“Yes.It’s still here.”
We both reached for our beers, took long pulls from the bottle.My mind whirled with new sensations, peace, love.Belonging.
I sighed.“I guess—”
“Move in with me,” Edge blurted.
Peering over at him, I grinned.“I mean, I get that it’s nothing fancy, but…”
Edge laughed.“I’m serious.Move in with me.We’ll get a bigger apartment.There’s a penthouse available.”
His words were said in such a rush, I could tell he wasn’t thinking as he spoke.
“A penthouse?”
“For sale in my building,” he clarified.“We can buy it, have it redone.”
“Redone?”
“Yeah.”He smiled sheepishly.“I figure if Jamie’s gonna move in with us, we’ll need more closet space.Maybe an office for her to study in.”
My heart damn near came out of my throat.“The three of us?Move in together?”
Edge’s eyes dropped to the dresser.“You’re right.It’s impulsive.Stupid suggestion.Forget I—”
I reached for him then, jerked him close, and held on.“It’s a brilliant idea,” I whispered against his ear.“Let’s buy a penthouse apartment, move in together.”
Edge hugged me, his cheek against mine, and I felt his sigh, the weight that fell from his shoulders.The man was being spontaneous, and I realized how much it was costing him.
When we released one another, the silence settled between us.It wasn’t uncomfortable, though.More like acceptance that didn’t need words to clarify it.
“I love her, too,” Edge admitted.“Haven’t told her yet.”He cut his gaze to mine.“I want to, but I needed to tell you first.Because…” He swallowed.“Even if Jamie doesn’t love me back, it doesn’t change what this is.You and me.I love you, Cav.Want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“I want the same thing,” I admitted.Although even as I said it, I knew Jamie would be a part of this.She was meant to be here, with us.“When do you plan on tellin’ her?”I asked, picking up my beer.
Edge did the same, moved over to the window, stared out into the darkness.“Tomorrow night.”
I nodded.
“I need to talk to Zeke,” he finally said.
