Chapter Seventy-Eight

Chapter Seventy-Eight
Everett

Aubrey and I have barely left bed since she arrived and found me here. We are making up for lost time. I am so happy to be back home with her because I was missing her in a way that was hurting. Her head is on my chest and her hand on my bare stomach, two things that are comforting to me. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here. I am eager to continue our relationship without any need to hide.

“Any luck with finding a new place?” I ask, caressing the small of her back.

Aubrey groans at my question. I will take that as a no.

“No, not yet. Everything is so expensive, and I don’t want Hugo paying out so much money for me for a place to stay. Anything cheaper, he doesn’t think is secure enough. I am due to pitch a tent in their back door or something.” She snickers.

“There is another option,” I say nervously.

Aubrey rolls onto her stomach, resting her chin on my chest and glances up at me. “There is? What? Sleep in my car?”

I shake my head. I am not sure how she is going to react to the next words that are going to escape from my lips, but here goes. “No, you could move in here with me. I have the room. You would be safe here.”

It may be too soon, but I want to put the offer out there. I wouldn’t see her stuck. If she isn’t ready for that, I will understand. I won’t push. If she says no, I will get her a place. Hugo won’t need to. It is my job to take care of her now. He doesn’t need to. Hugo can focus on his family and let me worry about Aubrey.

Aubrey sits up quickly and looks at me, confused. ‘What? Are you serious? You want me to move in here with you? Isn’t it too soon for that?” she asks softly.

Sighing, I sit up and run my fingers through my hair, not sure how to take her response. “Yes, I am serious. Either that or you let me get you another apartment. It isn’t Hugo’s job to take care of you anymore. It is mine. The choice is yours, baby girl. Move in here, or I will buy you an apartment, whichever you are more comfortable with.”

My asking her to move in so freely is just another thing that shows me things with Aubrey are different, and I am in it for the long run. Everything about us is real because never in my life have I asked or wanted a woman to move in with me.

I don’t want her to feel pressure or like she has to because I am asking.

“Can I take the night to think about it? I am not saying no, I promise, it is just a big step.” I can hear the nervousness in her voice, worried about how I am going to react.

“Yes, of course, angel. Take as long as you need.” I smile and kiss her softly.

She relaxes once she realizes that she has nothing to worry about. She smiles back, and we lie back, not ready to leave bed. We don’t have anything planned; there is no rush for us to make a move. We don’t want to move since it has been a while since we have been this close. I have no idea how Hugo will react when I tell him that he isn’t needed any longer. Well, not for the housing situation. I don’t mean he needs to stay out of her life. I would never do that. They are family. He is my brother, and I like they have a close relationship, but certain things he doesn’t need to help with now. That is what I am here for. I can not only take care of Aubrey, but I can protect her too, probably better than he can, since my morals aren’t quite as perfect as his.


Aubrey and I are relaxing in the bathtub after finally parting and getting out of bed. We had exhausted ourselves in the best way possible. We are ready for bed, and it is the only reason we made a move. We had to clean up and change the sheets before settling in for the night. I can’t wait to have Aubrey wrapped in my arms while I sleep again. It has felt like months, even though it has only been weeks.

Aubrey is resting back against my chest, struggling to keep her eyes open. I chuckle as I watch her eyes close over. She is cute when she is sleepy.

“What are you laughing about?”

I kiss her shoulders. “You’re nearly falling asleep in the tub. We should get out now, get you to bed.”

She nods and moves forward to let me climb out. I do before offering her my hand to help her out. Her energy is nearly non-existent. I reach for a towel and wrap it around her before getting one for myself.

Slipping my arm around her, I guide us back to the bedroom and sit her on the edge of the bed until I grab something for her to sleep in. I take out a tee and some boxers, handing them to her so she can change while I do the same.

“Everett, did you really mean it when you asked?” she asks in her cute, sleepy voice.

I stroll over to the bed and kneel, so I am on eye level with her. “Yes, I meant it. Why? Didn’t you believe I meant it when I first asked?”

“Honestly, I just wanted to double-check in case I imagined things in my after-sex state.” She giggles.

Her words make me laugh, too. I peck her lips. “You weren’t imagining things.”

Aubrey smiles brightly before she braids her hair and climbs into bed, waiting for me to join her. Hopefully, when tomorrow comes, I will have my answer, but I will let Aubrey bring it up first.

I slip into bed, and the second I do, Aubrey cuddles into me, and I wrap my arms tightly around her before commanding the lights to turn off. “Rest well, beautiful. I love you.”

She nuzzles her face in my neck. “Goodnight, handsome. I am happy to have you home. I love you too.”

In a matter of seconds, Aubrey is sound asleep. She really was exhausted. I won’t be far behind her because I am just as tired. I look forward to waking up to Aubrey right next to me, something I have missed the last couple of weeks.