“I love you, Valencia.”
Tears spring to my eyes. I throw my arms around his neck, and he lifts me until I’m on tiptoe, our bodies flush together.
In his embrace, I finally find the courage to name the emotion I’ve been subduing. “I love you, too,” I whisper into his neck.
He exhales, and it’s like his entire being relaxes. “Thank fuck.” He pulls back and gives me a relieved smile. “I didn’t know what I was going to do if you responded any differently.”
I choke out a watery laugh. “This feels way too soon. But it also feels ... right?”
“It feelsinevitable.” His fervent declaration ends with a kiss that has me dragging him back to the bed.
After a quick fuck and an even quicker shower, we heat up the food and sit side by side at the dining table in our matching pajamas.
“Did you really enlist Fern’s help?” I ask, piling slices of ham and various side dishes onto my plate.
“I just messaged her for the address.”
I swallow a bite of mashed potatoes. “I’m surprised she didn’t tell you to go fuck yourself.”
Gideon’s cheeks redden and he becomes very interested in his green beans. “She did, actually. And I was forced to admit that I’m in love with you.”
I slap the table in mock outrage. “You told her before you told me?”
He raises a sardonic eyebrow. “Only because you demanded I leave.”
“I’m sorry.” I reach over and take his hand. “My reaction was more about me missing my parents and not wanting to burden you.”
He gives my fingers a squeeze. “If I’d had the courage then to tell you how I felt, maybe you would’ve seen why it was such an easy decision for me to make.”
“I might not have believed you,” I muse. “But I can’t imagine why you would’ve put yourself through all that drama today for any other reason.”
“So you believe me? That I love you?” Vulnerability shines in his eyes, and I nod.
“Good.” His tone turns brisk. “Then you’ll understand why I’m hiring a moving company tomorrow to get you out of that prick’s apartment.”
“Tomorrow is Christmas Day.”
“Fine. I’ll wait a day. But you’re not sleeping there again.”
I sigh at his high-handedness. “Gideon—”
“Please don’t debate me on this.” He’s wearing his lawyer face, which means he’s digging his heels in. “He screamed at you and called you names with his entire family present. And I’ve seen the fights he’s gotten into on the ice. Forgive me if I’m not comfortable with you being there while he still has keys.”
Because it’s exactly the sort of advice I would give to someone in my situation, I don’t argue. “Okay, but I’ll find a new place as soon as—”
“Oh, my God, Valencia.” Gideon plunks his elbows on the table and drops his head into his hands. “What part of me telling you that I want youand your catto move in did you not understand?”
“I didn’t think you meant in two days!”
He raises his head and pins me with a look. “I don’t.”
“Oh, then—”
“I meanttoday.”
I stare at him blankly. “Oh.”
His expression softens. “Look, if you really don’t want to move in yet, or at all, I’ll help you find another option. Because as much as I want to fall asleep with you every night and wake up next to you every morning, the most important thing to me is your safety. Just tell me what you want, Valencia, and I’ll do it. I’ll doanythingfor you.”
