Page 618 of Summer Heat
So, I decided I’m going to do something about that. Tonight.
That said, I do admit taking my time as I walk over to the door.
I’m going to miss that knock.
“Have fun with the guys tonight?” I ask as I open the door with a big smile.
A neon pink paper held up to my face is her silent, befuddled reply.
Grinning, I yank her inside before she gives my security folks a fun show.
I manage to sneak in a quick kiss while she’s gaping at me, but she cuts it short and moves right on to the main festivities. “An eviction notice?! Seriously, Jason? I thought it was a prank until I realized my key no longer worked on the door!”
“Here.” I hand her a key.
She eyes it. “Is this the key to the new apartment lock?”
I frown. Crazy woman. “Of course not. You saw the sign. You’ve been evicted.”
She looks down at the key in utter bewilderment. “Then what in the world does this open?”
“Actually, I’m not sure,” I confess. “Probably an old gym locker. I found it in one of my drawers. It’s more a visual effect. I’ve heard this is the sort of thing that accompanies the gesture.”
“What gesture?”
“The one where I ask you to move in with me,” I reply matter-of-factly.
Her jaw drops.
“Since the penthouse door opens with fingerprint and key code access, I thought this old key would be more romantic than a slip of paper with a bunch of numbers on it.”
She’s still not talking. That’s okay. I’m a patient guy.
She looks from the key to the eviction notice. “You’re certifiable, you know that, right?”
I chuckle and tug her closer. “Takes one to know one.”
“So let me get this straight. Instead of actually asking me to move in with you, you went and changed the locks to my loft while I was out with the guys?”
“Actually, I changed your locks on Tuesday.”
A look of understanding filters across her features. “So that’s why you wanted to stay at the cabin all week. And why you insisted I just go straight to the bar in my work clothes.”
I shrug, thoroughly unapologetic about my methods. I was being romantic, damn it. “I also took the liberty of hiring you movers this week. Only the best of course.”
Her lips twitch, but she holds onto her confounded glare. “That was presumptuous of you. What if my answer is no?”
I drag off my shirt and pick her up by the waist, pleased as fuck when she automatically wraps her legs around me as I walk us over to the master bedroom.
“I considered the possibility of you saying no. Knowing you, there was a fifty-fifty chance you were going to throw the key at my head and kick me in the balls.”
Her body shakes with laughter in my arms. “So, this was a high-risk move then.”
I stop smiling and speak from my heart. “This is the biggest risk I’ve ever taken. It’s also the only one I’ve ever been a hundred percent sure of.” I cup her cheek. “The only one I’ve ever been unwilling to walk away from.”
Her breath catches and a tremulous smile touches her lips.
I carry her over to the master closet to show her my other attempt at a romantic gesture.
