Savior

My end goal hadn’t changed the day Erik came storming into my life—just the way I got there.

But being connected to someone was new to him—to me too, but for different reasons. I hadn’t had an opportunity to be in a relationship. Erik actively chose not to be in one. He’d never had a girlfriend. Hell, he’d never even let a woman stay at his place. Until me.

The newness of our situation made it feel unstable.

He could change his mind at any moment. He could decide having a relationship wasn’t for him. He could decide I wasn’t enough woman for him, that he missed the variety he’d had before. I’d rather move out on my own than be forced to when he was done with me.

I knew leaving was the right decision to make.

But none of it felt right.

I flopped down on an actual couch, not one that could be maneuvered into fifteen different shapes and could double as a bed. “What about this one? Could you see yourself claiming me on this couch?”

He shuddered. “God, no. My sister has that couch.”

I laughed and tugged him down with me, curling up against his side. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and kissed my forehead like we weren’t sitting in the middle of a store.

“Maybe I should go see her place. She obviously has great taste if we like the same couch.”

“I could arrange that. She lives five floors below me. And don’t act like you like it. You hate this couch.”

I did hate it.

“How did I not know she lived in the same building?”

My head moved with his shoulder’s rise and fall. “She doesn’t venture out too much. She lived with my parents until about a year ago and I think moving into my building allowed her some freedom and still feel close to home. I honestly think she forced it because she wanted Ian to see her as an adult and that can be hard to do when you live in a pink room with frills and your mom still packs your lunch.”

“That sounds awesome. Will you pack my lunch for me?”

“Not a chance.”

“Your mom sounds amazing.”

“She is. She wants me to bring you to dinner some time. It’s been a while since I’ve gone to a family dinner and the last one she gave me hell for leaving you at the apartment.”

The moisture evaporated from my mouth. A family dinner? The thought gave me a mixture of panic and excitement. Would I stand out like a sore thumb, an obvious interloper who had never had a family meal? Would I fall right in line with the laughter and jokes? Each image brought forth a new emotion. I didn’t want to focus on either since it probably wouldn’t happen and changed the subject.

“How does it feel to have your little sister crushing on your friend?”

He huffed a laugh. “It’s fine. I know nothing will happen because she isn’t right for Ian and, while she won’t admit it, Ian isn’t right for her. But he makes her smile, so I never say anything.”

“You’re a good big brother.” I know he didn’t believe me since he blamed himself for not finding the twins sooner and saving Sofia, but I wanted to remind him as much as I could that he was a good man.

“Speaking of siblings,” he segued. I stiffened in his arms and he rubbed his hand along my shoulder to comfort me. He knew I didn’t like talking about it, so it must be important if he’s bringing it up. “Have you heard from Leah at all?”

“No.”

He gave a single nod and left it at that. Part of me wanted to ask more, wanted to ask why he brought it up but was happy enough to let it go when he stood and clapped his hands. “Okay, so no furniture today.”

“I guess another day.” I stood and walked into his waiting arms, losing myself in his warmth wrapped around me.

“How about we head home. We can order dinner in. You can strip down naked and I can feed you before we watch a movie.”

“I need to be naked for this?”

“There may be some sex in between each event.”

“I am okay with that plan. Will you be naked too?”

“Definitely.”

“Then, what are we waiting for?” I grabbed his hand and started dragging him behind me until we were jogging and laughing the whole way.

We talked about our night on the drive home and by the time we were parked in the garage, I was ready to run upstairs and pounce on him as soon as we were alone.

And then my phone rang.

I pulled it out and my stomach churned at the name on the screen. Unknown. No one had my number except Erik and Leah.

Erik saw and a muscle twitched in his jaw. I hit the side button to mute the ringing and was about to shove it in my pocket when he demanded, “Answer it.”