Chapter 347: Moving In With Kayla

Nathan’s POV

I was driving now.

After we said goodbye to David and Holly, I took Kayla straight to my place to grab a few things.

She refused to come inside of course…arms folded, chin up, staying in the passenger seat like stepping into my apartment would somehow infect her.

Fine by me.

Ten minutes later, I came back out dragging two large suitcases behind me.

The second she saw them, her mouth dropped open so wide I almost laughed.

“Are you insane?” she burst out, pushing her door open halfway. “Why do you have two suitcases? Isn’t this supposed to be like a temporary arrangement?”

I kept moving like this was completely normal, loading them into the trunk. “What?”

“Nathan!” she snapped. “You’re supposed to be bringing an overnight bag. Not your entire wardrobe!”

I shut the trunk calmly and got back in the driver’s seat.

“You shouldn’t mind these things. It’s not that deep,” I said, buckling my seatbelt. “I just want my stuff in the house just in case we get a surprise inspection or something.”

She stared at me like I had grown horns.

I sighed dramatically. “I once heard of a case like this. A couple faked their marriage. Officers handling the investigation paid the wife a surprise visit and found no trace of the husband’s belongings in the home.”

Her eyes widened as she listened.

“That’s how they got caught,” I finished smoothly. “So really, you should see this as a formality. I’m just taking extra measures, Kayla.”

She looked horrified and deep in thought.

Meanwhile, inside my head, I was already calculating how to come back tomorrow and move the rest of my things in without making her suspicious.

Because one thing Kayla didn’t understand yet…

She was stuck with me for life.

I was like a stain that wouldn’t wash out.

And now we were pulling into the underground garage of her apartment building.

As soon as I parked, she turned sharply in her seat and pointed a finger at me.

“Rules.”

I leaned back casually. “Go on, honey.”

I could literally see her biting her lips to stop herself from cursing out when she heard me call her ‘honey.’

I almost laughed at how cute she looked when angry.

She went on to say her rules. “No touching my things. No making noise at night. No barging into my room. No sharing of bed. No eating food you didn’t buy. No inviting people over. No weird habits. No nonsense.”

I nodded like I was listening.

Truthfully?

I was barely hearing a word.

Because under the yellow garage lights, she looked unfairly beautiful.

Her hair was slightly messy from the long day. Her lashes thick and soft. Lips moving while she scolded me. That annoyed little crease between her brows.

God.

I could’ve watched her complain for hours and still find it insanely hot.

Her hand suddenly waved in front of my face.

“Nathan!”

I blinked.

“Were you even paying attention?”

“Yes,” I lied instantly.

She narrowed her eyes. “Repeat what I said.”

“...No nonsense.”

She sighed like I was the burden the universe had assigned her.

Minutes later, we were inside her apartment.

I stepped into the living room and slowly looked around.

Still boxes everywhere.

Some unopened, some half-torn.

The kitchen looked bare.

The dining area had almost nothing set up.

She’d moved in…but she hadn’t settled in.

Kayla dropped her bag and yawned tiredly.

“Remember this clearly,” she said, pointing down the hallway. “My bedroom is off-limits. You take the couch. You use the guest restroom down there.”

She pointed again.

“I have mine in the master bedroom.  Don’t ever…ever, come into my space. I don’t want to see you anywhere you’re not supposed to be.”

I frowned thoughtfully.

“Then where will I keep my things?”

She blinked. “What?”

“My clothes should be in the room too. Just in case officers pay a surprise visit. What are they supposed to think if they see my suitcase unpacked beside the couch? That I’m squatting with my wife?”

She crossed her arms. “Aren’t you a police captain? Officers can’t just barge in here without you knowing.”

“It’s not my department handling it,” I said solemnly. “I wouldn’t know.”

That was absolute nonsense.

She rubbed her forehead. “Okay, fine. Keep your things in the room.”

Victory.

“But,” she added sharply, “you only enter when I grant access.”

I placed a hand over my heart. “Yes, ma’am.”

“And you’re still sleeping on the couch.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’m leaving very early tomorrow. I need to get things done at the bakery.”

Then she yawned again, already half-dead with exhaustion.

“I need rest.”

Before I could respond…

Bang.

Her bedroom door slammed shut in my face.

I grinned.

Cute.

Then I rolled up my sleeves.

For the next few hours, I worked.

I fixed loose fittings.

Changed bulbs.

Hung the chandelier still sitting boxed near the wall.

Set up the kitchen.

Arranged the dining space.

Installed shelves.

Moved furniture.

Unpacked items she clearly hadn’t had time for.

I worked like a girl trying to prove herself to her mother-in-law. Trying to prove that she’s worthy of her son.

Sweating, lifting, adjusting, cursing under my breath.

I even ordered a few extra things online that got delivered late…plants, runners, decorative pieces, kitchen organizers.

When I finally stepped back, chest heaving…

The place was breathtaking.

Warm.

Elegant.

Alive.

I looked around proudly at my work.

Then I realized something was missing.

I exhaled.

A wedding picture.

I wanted one right there.

Centered.

Visible.

A real home needed that.

And tomorrow?

I already had a plan for how I’d trick Kayla into taking one with me.

Then guilt crept in unexpectedly.

I paused.

Was I taking advantage of her?

Doing all this while she thought this was temporary?

Using the pretense of a fake marriage to force my way into her life?

The thought made my chest tighten as I sat down on the couch and dropped my head back.

I exhaled slowly then I immediately started justifying myself.

I’m helping her.

Protecting her and her son from Caleb.

Improving her place.

Making life easier for her.

And if she happens to fall in love with me…

Well.

That’s hardly a crime.

Somewhere in the middle of those thoughts, I dozed off right there on the couch.

My phone ringing jolted me awake.

I grabbed it groggily. It was from one of my officers.

A case at the precinct needed my attention.

I cursed softly and stood. I quickly turned towards the bathroom to take a quick shower.

After I was done, I stepped out of the guest bathroom with only a towel around my waist.

I considered throwing my clothes back on, but then, a bold idea hit me.

Slowly, I turned toward Kayla’s bedroom door with a grin.

She must be awake by now.

She somehow slept through the entire living-room transformation I did.

I walked over and knocked softly.

No answer.

I didn’t hesitate or knock again. I just pushed the door slightly and it opened.

She hadn’t even locked it.

I stepped inside and looked around, but the bed was empty.

My stomach dropped.

Did she leave while I was asleep?

Then… The bathroom door opened and Kayla walked out wrapped in only a towel with water still dripping down her shoulders.

She froze the moment she saw me standing in the middle of her room.

Then screamed. “NATHAN! GET OUT!”

She lunged at me, trying to shove me backward.

In the chaos, her hand caught my towel… And yanked.

It dropped with any restraint. I didn’t even bother grabbing it.

I didn't cover myself. Didn’t move. I just stood there…butt naked…looking at her. Watching her scream a second time as her eyes landed lower.

Oh yeah.

She’d be in love with me in no time.