Page 214 of This Bitter Sweet Temptation
The next morning,we wake up and fuck slowly in the morning light, basking in the warmth of each other.
Then he orders a quick grocery delivery and makes us huge omelets while I sit at the table, idly talking about the next art project I’d love to do with Kit.
I’m no idiot. I know we haven’t figured everything out yet.
There’s still so much we don’t know about how this will work, and there are a ton of details.
Like whether I’m going to move in permanently, whether we’re going to take it slow or keep moving at the speed of light.
I know what I prefer.
Once I’m in, I’min.
I’ve never felt like this about any man before. And after everything that just happened, I want to put the storm behind us and move on.
Let Holden pave over the horror and loss with happy memories.
I just need him to agree. To recognize that we can be happy.
That’s always been the tricky part.
He’s just plating up our food when the unit’s intercom rings. We both tense. Holden’s gaze flashes to me.
“Expecting someone?”
“No.” I shake my head. The fear I’ve been pushing back comes racing to the front of my mind.
Holden’s hand goes to the waistband of his pants, the bulge that tells me he still has a gun there.
Before, I’d be scandalized.
Now, though, I’m glad he’s packing. My heart hammers in my chest.
He moves deceptively slow as the intercom buzzes again.
“I’ll get it,” he says, voice nice and easy, like he’s soothing a skittish animal. He stops by me briefly, smoothing a hand over my hair and kissing my forehead.
Then he walks over and presses the button for the speaker. “Yeah? Who is it?”
“Is Cleo Blackthorn there?”
I recognize the voice, an older man.
“Dad?” I gasp.
Holden looks at me as I mouth‘send him up!’A second later, I unlatch the door and throw it open.
My father storms in, stops, and stares. The way we’re both in our pj’s, Holden shirtless, gives it all away.
Oof.
My cheeks flare.
Dad looks Holden up and down, his eyes sharp and assessing.
“Suppose I should thank you. Guess you’re the big hero who kept my daughter safe, after all,” he says, dispelling any doubt I had about what he knows.
“Guess so.” Holden shuts the door, his voice equally cool.
