I brush a tear from her cheek. “I’m dead serious.”
She shakes her head, her gaze dropping to the front of my jeans and the outline of my erection. “I didn’t know.”
“I tried to find you.” I shove a hand through my hair. “I never gave up hope that I
would. I was harassing Eldred every few weeks. Eventually, he would have given up your location.”
Her mouth drops open.
I know that it’s news to her. I haven’t brought it up before now because damaging their sibling bond isn’t my intention.
I didn’t see the need to confess that I still call Eldred. He rarely answers. That doesn’t deter me.
“You talk to Eldred?”
“I try.” I huff out a laugh. “He’s usually too busy to take or return my calls.”
“I need to call him.” Her gaze darts back to the coffee table where her phone is. “He had no right.”
“He loves you,” I say because I know that her brother was only trying to protect her. “He thought it was his place to keep you safe.”
“From you?” She taps her hand on my chest. “I’m the only one who gets to decide whether I talk to you or not.”
“You’re talking to me now.” I cup her hands in mine and bring them to my mouth. I plant a soft kiss on her palm. “We’ll talk until we’ve said everything that needs to be said.”
She looks directly into my eyes. “We will.”
I tug her back into my chest, wrapping my arms around her. “I’m going to go so you can sleep.”
She nods.
I plant a kiss on the top of her head. “I’ll call you soon.”
“Tomorrow, Gage?” She tilts her head back to look up at me. “Call me tomorrow.”
I press my lips against hers in a slow kiss. “Tomorrow it is.”
Chapter 33
Kate
“Marry him,” Tilly says, clapping her hands in glee. “He waited for you. Oh my God, he waited for you. This is so romantic.”
“Once he gets his hands on you, you won’t be able to walk for a week. Five years of pent up sexual need is inside of that man,” Olivia jumps in, tossing me a wink.
“That’s hot.” Tilly fans her hand in front of her face. “The sex is going to be incredible.”
I glance down at Arleth sleeping in her stroller. “We shouldn’t be talking about this in front of the baby.”
“The baby is dreaming about her favorite stuffed bear.” Olivia pats a hand over Tilly’s forearm. “She loves that bear, Tilly. Thank you again for that.”
I sip on the lemonade I ordered after we were seated at an outdoor table.
Olivia called me just after seven this morning with a million questions about Gage. Tilly had texted her on the way home from my apartment last night.
I told her I’d meet her for lunch. She’s the one who invited Tilly to join us at one of her favorite restaurants. It’s just down the street from Alexander’s music school.
“When are you going to take him to bed?” Olivia doesn’t pull any punches. “That needs to happen today.”