Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
He chuckles. How in the world is me standing naked with nothing but a towel the optimal time to ask me such a question, especially while he’s fully dressed in a tailored navy-blue pinstripe suit and looks like he walked out of a magazine? How is this fair? Or neutral territory? Or make sense to anyone but him?
It doesn’t need to make sense to me because it did to him. He’s such a romantic.
“I’ve been thinking about this all night,” he says, “for the past month even. I want the three of us living together.”
“We practically do now.”
“Practically is not the same thing as sharing an address. We live apart and bring our stuff back and forth.” He takes hold of my waist, but his gaze grazes over my body, specifically my breasts. I’ve discovered that my breasts are his Achilles’ heel. I wield the power with care, though.
Sliding my hand down the front of his suit jacket, I pick a piece of lint from the lapel. “Having this conversation on a Monday morning before caffeine is a lot to take in.”
He lifts my chin until we make eye contact again. “I’ll buy you a new coffeemaker, the best on the market. I want our stuff under the same roof.”
“You’re bribing me with fancy coffee?”
The corner of his mouth slips upward on the right side as he chuckles under his breath. “I am. My shame knows no bounds.”
“I’m the opposite. I have all the boundaries holding me here.” I’d laugh, but there’s too much truth in that confession. I can’t make a rash decision, though my heart hasn’t led me wrong yet when it comes to him. “There’s a lot to consider. Pro: Lugging Max’s and my belongings between the two places is a real drag. Con: I like my apartment.”
“Pro: You love my apartment and the amenities.”
“Those are nice, especially the dry cleaning and the pool. Max loves the pool.”
“Another pro,” he says, checking it off in the air.
“Con: Both are in great neighborhoods with easy access to restaurants, groceries, and parks.”
“How are those cons?”
“It’s two pros, not cons. One in each column.” I try to tally the pros and cons, but I’ve lost track. “Wait, where are we with pros for mine?”
Chuckling, he replies, “We were doing pros and cons of moving in together, not which apartment, but I like where your head is.”
“I knew I wasn’t awake enough for this.” Tilting my head, I ask, “Should we start over?”
“No, let’s keep going and see where we land.”
“Financially, your apartment is worth more than mine. If we sell it, you’ll make a profit. If we move in there, it gains more value over time, but I have no stake in it.”
Pulling me fully into his arms, he says, “That’s just it. I don’t want mine and yours. I want ours. Together.”
“Mine is owned by my mom.” I don’t know why I feel less for admitting that. She got a huge settlement from the divorce and still owns company shares. She gave me the apartment for Max and me to live in, and I cover the mortgage. There’s no shame in that.
He’s looking at me, and I can tell his thoughts are plentiful. Finally, he says, “What would happen to it if you moved out?”
“I don’t know. Maybe she’d sell it, but that leaves me no safety net.”
“I understand that you want to be secure in your surroundings, in your investments, and to build your assets. Are you building it in your current situation?”
I know my mom will sign over the apartment one day. We’ve meant to do that for a while now but haven’t gotten around to it. So I answer truthfully, “No.”
Rubbing my shoulders, he says, “I never want you to feel beholden to me. If you’re with me, it’s because you want to be. I don’t have the answer for you. This is a decision you need to make. But one thing I won’t strip away is your independence and safety. I like your apartment, but there’s nowhere to grow from here. I have an office space and two other bedrooms outside of the primary. I bought this to serve my life for years to come. If you move in with me, you won’t need to pay me a dime. If you want to build your financial portfolio, that’s your money to do with as you please.”
“I wouldn’t want to live for free. That means it’s your apartment, and I’m just moving in. I want a stake in my home.”
Kneading my breasts, he smirks. “We can negotiate. I’m open to hearing your terms.” I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist them for long.
“Why are you offering me anything I want?”
“I’m a changed man because of you. I don’t want to shuffle our stuff back and forth anymore. I want to be with you all the time. I want to settle down.”