Page 24 of Hidden Obsession

“And?” I chuckled.

“I’ll buy it. They can live there. The schools in this area are better anyhow.”

“Baby—“

“I didn’t have shit until you came into my life. You’ve given me everything, and I will do anything to convince you to move in.”

“But buying a house?”

“Okay, fine.” He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s already mine.” He shrugged, and my eyes widened.

“Hollis!”

“Real estate is a good investment.

“Okay, but what if you change your mind and⁠—“

“I won’t.” With anyone else, I would have called bullshit. But Hollis said what he meant and never did anything he didn’t want to do.

“It’s fine if you don’t want to move in just yet, but you will, little flower.” He frowned, and whatever walls I still had standing around my heart tumbled down. “Either way, the house is there, and they could move in tomorrow if they wanted to.”

“There is no way my mom would be able to afford the rent or⁠—“

“It would be the same she pays now,” he cut me off. My nose stung with unshed tears.

“Hollis.”

“And since I’m probably putting way too much out there and already freaking you the hell out, I should tell you, you’re going to marry me one day, too.”

“You want to marry a stripper?” I asked and shook my head, but his fingers held my chin, forcing me to keep my eyes on him.

“You’re more than a dancer,” he said. “Whatever you want to do, you can. I’ll help you. You want to go back to school, I’ll help by paying for everything.”

“I’m not a gold digger!” I exclaimed, feeling vulnerable.

“You’re not. Never said you were. What you are though is mine. And I take care of what’s mine. I’ll pay for it. I’ll be up when you do an all-nighter, brewing you coffee and bending you over your desk so you can study flashcards while I finger you slowly.” My breath hitched.

“You’re ridiculous.” I laughed softly, shaking my head.

And as crazy as it was, as wild and absurd as everything he said sounded, I could picture it.

Our life together.

And I wanted it.

One that would be a little easier not because of his money alone but because the two of us would work ourselves to the bone to help the other make their dreams come true.

“Okay,” I whispered and watched my beautifully unhinged man blink.

“Okay,” he repeated slowly.

“I love you, too.” I bit away a smile and winced. “I should have started there. I love you and… and I like everything you’ve said.”

“But?”

“No buts.” I shrugged. “I want to build a life with you, too, Hollis Porter. Through the good and the bad and everything in between.”

“You’re moving in.”