“Hey, I’m not a snob.” I thumped his arm lightly. “As long as you’re there and the neighbors don’t complain about my guitar or your sex noises, we’re good.”

The more I thought about this idea, the more I liked it. A place we picked out together, a fresh start for this arrangement, cementing the partnership. I couldn’t care less what the size or zip code of the place was. After years of bouncing around, I was ready for a home. With Duncan.

“You seriously want to be long-term roommates? Settle for a smaller place?”

“I’m not settling for a thing. I’m getting you.” I made my voice stern but kind. He truly was a prize, even if he couldn’t always see it. “I want this to work. I told Ilene today I’m waiting on booking another tour.”

He legit squawked at that news. “Don’t postpone on my account!”

“No, I’m doing it on mine.” Stroking his jaw, I turned his head toward me so he could see I meant the words. The last thing I needed was Lieutenant Responsible blaming himself for my burnout. “I need time off. You’ve shown me that. I need long runs, video chats with my mom while I try not to burn the place down cooking, and closets with my clothes instead of suitcases. Mainly I need time. Time to think and dream and hope.”

“You make me dream.” He gave me a tender, tentative smile. “And hope.”

“Good.” I pulled him for a long, sweet kiss. He tasted like powdered sugar and citrus and a powerful dose of that hope we were both trying so hard to nurture. He wanted this. As much I did, maybe even more because his sweet, fragile heart had spent a hell of a long time in the deep freeze. And if he was finally going to allow himself to hope and reach for his secret, silly desires, I was for damn sure going to make sure he got exactly what he wanted.

I wasn’t going to take his trust for granted, and I tried to tell him that with my kiss, slow slides of my tongue and lazy licks. I kissed like we had endless hours, but eventually, his little gasps and the way he grasped at my dress shirt gave me an even better idea.

Breaking off the kiss, I lowered myself to the rug, kneeling between his knees and grinning up at him.

“What are you doing?” His voice was heavy, like he’d had something stronger than iced tea with the food. Duncan drunk on my kisses never failed to make my insides giddy, like I had a secret superpower.

“Sealing the roommate deal?” I licked my lips, reaching for his belt. He made such a deliciously sexy picture sprawled on the couch—still in his tuxedo shirt, tie hanging to one side, collar unbuttoned, mouth swollen from kissing, jacket long discarded, legs parted, dressy pants clinging to his muscular thighs. “Like a handshake. But better.”

He laughed, deep and rich. “You don’t look like any lease I’ve ever seen.”

“Good.” I joined his laughter as I undid his narrow leather belt and fly. His pants fabric was thin and slippery under my fingers. The rumpled tux gave him a debauched young CEO or royal vibe that really worked for me. “Now let me have fun.”

“You don’t have to…” He trailed off with a hiss as I withdrew his thick cock. For all that Duncan liked my oral attentions, he always seemed to have a hard time believing that I truly got off on doing this and letting me spoil him for a change.

“Yes, I do. You had a crap day. Let your boyfriend and future official roommate blow you because he wants to and you need it.” I blew a warm breath over the shaft of his cock, millimeters away from licking him.

“I do.” Groaning, he relaxed more fully into the couch, tension leaving his thighs, legs parting more easily. “I do need you.”

He gazed down at me, and there it was, that look I’d envied earlier, the fond affection I’d craved. His entire heart was there in his eyes. I didn’t need words or poetry or anything else. Simply that expression, his strong, rugged face softened so sweetly for me alone.

“Duncan, I love you.” I breathed out the words in an awestruck gasp. I’d known for some time now, but the words refused to be restrained a second longer.

“Oh.” He shuddered, his cock pulsing in my hand. “Fuck. Warn a guy. I almost came right there.”

“Really?” I brightened. “And I mean it. My timing might need some work, but I love you.”

“Your timing is amazing.” Shaking his head, he chuckled, loving expression getting more intense as he studied my face. “Say it again.”

“I love you,” I said slowly, enunciating each syllable, drawing it out to make him tremble again.

Tags: Annabeth Albert A-List Security Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net