He wasn’t going to say I love you or push her in any way, not yet. No matter how much he wanted their future together to start now, he had to give her time. And he had every intention of staying true to that mission, but then she let out a shaky little sigh, a softer version of the sound she made when she came, and something inside him snapped.

Kissing her, he put every desperate hope, every foolish dream, and every sacred promise into it. There was more, so much more, but it would take a lifetime to show her every way she made him a better man. He tilted her head back, deepening the kiss as she let out little moans of pleasure that shot straight to his dick. Breaking the kiss was the last thing he wanted, but he had to do it.

“You were amazing down there,” he said.

She pressed her fingertips to her kiss-swollen lips as she moved around him and closed her front door, leaning her back against it as the dogs disappeared into the living room. “I didn’t mean any of it,” she said, looking up at him as if she was afraid he’d missed her signal. “Not even one single part of it.”

Unable to stop himself from touching her, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “So the line about constant advice from me that you never ask for?” He pulled her closer so she was tucked against him, all of her curves fitting perfectly against him. “And moving your furniture?”

“Oh!” She pushed away from him. “I have to show you!”

She grabbed his hand and led him into the living room. It was as bright and quirky as the first day he’d stepped—well, hobbled—inside, but she’d moved all of the furniture. The bookcases were arranged so Sir Hiss could hop from the top of one to another. The couch had been scooted over to the wall where he’d put it on their wedding night. The oversize chair, though, was still in its original spot. He sat down in it, and instead of having her sit on the ottoman like she had when she’d examined his ankle, he pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her.

Chelle snuggled against his chest, laying her head on his shoulder. “I was going to tell you all about it when I got to Gable House. How I couldn’t hear your advice because all I’d hear was the patriarchal bullshit of my family. I stuffed you in my emotional baggage, and that wasn’t fair.”

“I’m surprised I fit,” he said, dipping his head lower so he could kiss his way down her neck.