Page 71 of Requiem & Reverie
“I would love this baby with everything in me … but I didn’t want you to feel … trapped. I know this is all temporary with us.”
“We were never temporary. I knew from the start I wanted you, and it’s only gotten worse, the longer I’m with you.” He pushes to his feet and reaches down to lift me up from the floor. “Been thinking, Star Wars. How do you feel about living in New York?”
“Oh. Well, this is my parent’s house. And … I have my studio here. And … Oli has school.” Tracing my fingers over the tattoos and scars on his chest, I keep my gaze away from his. “Any chance you’re interested in renting the in-law suite in the back?” Lips stretched with a smile, I glance up to see the color has returned to his face.
He cocks a brow. “It’s still available, then?”
“It is.”
“How much?”
I sigh and wrap my arms around him, lifting up to kiss him. “Perhaps we can strike a deal.”
Palms gripping my sides, he gives a squeeze and groans against my mouth. “What kind of deal?”
“How about a couple massages, diaper duty a few times a day, and sex on occasion, and we’ll call it fair trade?”
“How ‘bout sex a few times a day, and diaper duty on occasion?” He lifts me up into his arms, gripping my bottom as the shower beats against my back. Burying his face in my neck, he kisses me there and licks the water dribbling down my skin. The sensation sends a zap of pleasure through my body, and I close my eyes, mouth gaping. “That’s a fair deal.”
“For now.” I suck my bottom lip into my mouth, trying to ignore the tickle of his five o’clock shadow, while his tongue sweeps across my collarbone. “We can work out the kinks later.”
He smiles against my skin. “Baby, you haven’t even met my kinks yet.”
“Should I be scared?”
“Let’s just say, you better remember that safe word.”
Pinning me to the wall, he kisses me tenderly this time, and I almost think it’s someone else, as soft as he is.
“Like I said. Nothing is confirmed,” It occurs to me what this could mean if it is. Voss and I would be creating our own little family. A new baby that’ll be half of him and half of me.
As if those same thoughts are filling his headspace, the brief contentment in his eyes dims to something grim. “This baby …. What if it turns out fucked up, just like Simon? What if ends up with all that darkness inside?”
“Then, we’ll be sure to shower it with so much love and light, it’ll never know darkness and hate. It’s half of you, Voss. Odds are, it’ll be pretty awesome. Maybe a little deviant, but I can deal with that.”
His eyes narrow on mine. “Did you just call me awesome?”
“I think I did. Slipped out, I guess.”
Still holding me against the wall, he nuzzles his face in my neck again and kisses my throat. “If this baby is even half as amazing as you, then I’ll be one lucky son of a bitch.”
“Yes, you will.”
“Before we do this, I need to tell you something, Star Wars.”
“Oh God, you’re not married, are you?” My blood turns cold at the thought.
“No. Definitely not.” Stroking a hand down over the top of my head, he grips a fistful of hair, tipping my head back, and runs his lips over my throat, kissing my jaw. “I’m going to take care of you and Oliver. From now on, you don’t worry about money, or any of that shit.” His kiss trails lower, to my collarbone. “You concentrate on taking care of my baby and doing the things that keep you happy, because I’ll tell you what.” He nuzzles against my shoulder. “There isn’t anything more beautiful than when you’re happy.” Forehead pressed to mine, he keeps his gaze cast downward. “I love you, Nola.”
Smiling, I rest my palm against his cheek and rub my thumb over his perfect lips that beg for another kiss. “What a coincidence, Voss. I love you, too.”
“I’m going to New York to tie up some loose ends, but when I come back, we’ll get this family thing going. Sound good?”
“Sounds perfect.”
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Voss
