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He nods and crosses to me, lifts me back into his arms and kisses me softly.

“The bed is only a few feet away,” I remind him.

“I like having you in my arms.”

I brush his hair back with my fingers as he moves us to the bed and lays next to me, pulling me to him.

“You’re not trying to seduce me.” It’s not a question.

“I want to hold you.”

“I was just kidding when I said you were bad in bed,” I remind him and pull myself up onto my elbows. He smirks and pushes my hair back behind my ear and then laughs, a full, belly laugh.

“I can’t believe you said that.”

I grin and shrug. “It was funny.”

“You’re funny.” He kisses me and tucks me to his side, my head on his chest. “You should sleep.”

“Okay,” I agree but just lie quietly and listen to him breathe. I can almost hear the wheels turning in his head. “Are you going to tell me?” I ask quietly.

He stiffens beneath me. “Tell you what?”

“What’s on your mind?” I frown but don’t look up at him.

He sighs and relaxes. “It was a busy day.”

“True. Full of job rejections and being thrown in pools.”

He pushes me to my back and gazes down at me while running his knuckles down my cheek. “And you telling me you love me,” he whispers.

I take his face in my hands and kiss him softly. “I do love you,” I whisper.

“I’ll never get tired of hearing you say that you know.”

“Good,” I smile. “I’ll remind you often, in case you forget.”

“I don’t think that’s something I’ll forget.” He kisses my forehead and pulls me against him again as I yawn. “Sleep now, sunshine.”

“Will you sleep too?” I ask as my eyes fall.

“Soon,” he whispers and I feel him smile against my forehead as he kisses me there. “I’ll sleep soon.”

Chapter Nineteen

~Leo~

“What do you have going on today?” I ask Sam as I pour her some juice and dump some sugar in my coffee in her kitchen.

“I have an interview today and two early next week. I didn’t hear anything from anyone for weeks, and now I have a bunch of interviews.” She shrugs and purses her pretty pink lips. “Weird.”

“You’ll be great.” She smiles softly and my gut clenches, the way it always does when she looks at me like that; like she trusts me. Like she loves me. We’ve been back in Seattle for a few days, and I still can’t believe she’s mine.

She’s mine.

“What are you doing today?” She asks and I do my best to keep my face totally straight. She has an uncanny ability to read me, and this is a secret.

“I have some errands to run.” I take a sip of coffee and swallow it over the jumble of nerves in my stomach. “I might meet with a real estate agent.”

“Fun.” She grins. “So you’re gonna move out of Meg’s place?”

“Yeah, she might as well sell it. Her neighbors figured out who I am and the guy next door always wants to chit chat with me when I get home.” I frown and then laugh. “I don’t think I’m a townhouse kind of guy.”

“Probably not,” she agrees and chuckles. “At least it’s a guy who appreciates music and not some annoying young girl.”

“Oh, there are those too. Thank God Will installed the alarm system.”

“Seriously?” Her eyes go round and then she starts to laugh. “That’s hilarious!”

“Sure it is.” I scowl at her.

“It is,” she insists and shakes her head. “Well, then you need a house.”

“Yeah,” I agree and rinse out my mug, set it in the dishwasher and grab my wallet and keys. “I better go.”

“Okay.” She smiles and stands to hug me, wraps her strong arms around my middle and presses a kiss to my sternum. “Have a good day.”

“You too, baby.” I tip her head back and kiss her slowly, rubbing my lips over hers and nibbling the side of her mouth until she smiles. “I’d better go before I pull you back to your bed and fuck you raw,” I growl, smiling smugly when her bright blue eyes dilate with lust.

“I’m up for that.”

“Later.” I kiss her again, grin at the way she sways when I let go of her, and head out of her building.

Half way down to my car, my phone rings. I expect it to be one of the guys, and frown at the caller ID in surprise.

“Nash.”

“Hey, it’s Will,” he clears his throat and I’m immediately put on guard.

“Has something happened to Meg?” I ask and climb into my car.

“No, she’s fine. She’s sleeping. Listen.” I hear him start his car and tap my fingers impatiently on my steering wheel. “Do you have time to meet with me today?”

“About what?” I ask. “I’m kind of booked up today.”

“I just need about ten minutes. I’d rather talk with you in private.”

I check my watch and grimace. “Can you meet me in about ten minutes in Seattle?” I ask him.

“Sure, no problem. Where?”

I rattle off the address and work my way through mid-morning traffic. There is a lot to do today, and not nearly enough time.

I pull up outside the small recording studio near Sam’s apartment and cut the engine. Will pulls up behind me less than five minutes later.

“Hey, man, thanks for meeting with me.” He shakes my hand and glances at the building. “Where are we?”

“Studio.” I grin at him. “I’m working today.”

“Cool, I won’t keep you.”

“We can talk inside.” I lead him inside to find Skip near the entrance. “Can I use your office for a minute, man?”

“Sure, you know the way. This time, don’t wrinkle my papers.” He smirks as I flip him the bird and lead Will to the office, close the door behind us, and lean back against the desk.

“What’s up?”

For the first time since I met him, Will looks nervous.

Ah, hell, this can’t be good.

“So, Meg and I have been together for a while.”

“Not a long while,” I remind him and purse my lips so I don’t smile. He frowns and begins to pace.

“She is just…” He stops and pushes his hand through his hair and I cross my arms over my chest, enjoying his discomfort.