Page 135 of Their Naughty Student (Office Intrigue Duet 6)
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.
Ah. Once again, Edge was worried about what Zeke would say.
“And if he pitches a fit?” I asked.
Edge grinned. “Let him. It won’t change a damn thing.”
I returned his smile. “No. I guess it won’t.”
Edge straightened. “Now, what do you say we relocate to my apartment. It’s … bigger.”
There was no denying that. “The bed’s not all that bad.”
Those blue eyes sparkled. “Your point?”
“Maybe we should get some use out of it in the meantime.”
Before we could fall onto the bed, there was a knock on the door.
“Expecting someone?” Edge asked, frowning.
“No.”
I crossed the room in a second. Not bothering to look through the security hole, I opened it.
And there, standing in the hallway was the most beautiful woman in the world.
“Hey,” I greeted, stepping back out of the way. “I thought you were havin’ dinner with your friend.”
She smiled sweetly as she walked inside. Her eyes shot over to Edge and she grinned. “I cancelled.”
“Yeah?”
Jamie nodded, her gaze swinging around the room. “You really do need to find a permanent place.” She smiled at Edge. “Hey.”
“Hey back.”
Jamie waited until I was standing in front of her, her expression serious. “I have to say something. I need to get it off my chest. And I want you both to know, your reactions won’t matter. I mean, they will, but they won’t. I still need to tell you both—”
“I love you,” Edge and I said at the exact same time.
Jamie’s dark eyes widened the size of saucers, then she shook her head, grinning. “No. No, no. You weren’t supposed… That’s my line. I came over to tell you that… Wait … what are you doing?”
I stalked her, Edge moving with me.
“I love you,” I repeated.
“I love you,” Edge stated.
