Pushing his chest, I say, “Okay, you need to leave this room now or else I may never let you leave and I think Noah will stop liking me if that happens.”
“Nothing could make that kid stop liking you. He asked me on the phone yesterday if you’d be here today. When I told him you’re living here now, he practically exploded with excitement.” He arches his brow, giving me his “I told you so” expression.
Smacking him playfully, I say, “I get it, you were right, but I still wanted to give him these months to get used to me being around.”
Fury wanted me to move in with him as soon as we got together. He tried his best to boss me into it and hasn’t let up over the past four months, but I held my ground. I didn’t want to force myself onto his son; I wanted us to take our time and get a good feel for each other. I also wanted that time to date Fury. To get to know each other after four years of not being in each other’s life. I was scared that rushing straight into living with him might put too much pressure on our new relationship.
He grins as he moves off the bed. “Let’s be honest. You were still taking that test drive, weren’t you? Making sure I lived up to your expectations.”
I shrug as I stand and head for the en suite. “Maybe.”
He closes the distance between us and backs me up against the wall, his hands all over me. The man can’t keep them to himself. “I’m taking it I passed.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “I guess you could read that into the situation. But don’t forget I still have my apartment until I find someone to take over the lease. Maybe I’m still test driving you.” I grind myself against him. “Maybe you should remain on your best behaviour. For instance, I’m not opposed to having a man slave.”
He groans as I press myself against him. “You play dirty, woman.”
“You love it dirty.”
Letting me go, he backs away, looking pained. “I only like it when I can do something with it.”
Lifting my chin at the door, I say, “Go and see your son. I’ll be out in a minute.”
Reaching for my arm, he draws me close again. He slides a hand along my jawbone and threads his fingers into my hair. “I love you” falls from his lips before he claims one last kiss.
I expect a short kiss, but he deepens it, and if I’m reading him right, struggles to end it. When we finally come up for air, I’m breathless and panting a little. “I love you, too.”
His eyes search mine for a long few moments, and without another word, he exits the room, leaving me a wanting mess of need.
Goddam, it’s going to be a long day.
Five minutes later, after I’ve freshened up, I find Fury and Noah in the lounge room. Noah looks like he’s about to burst with excitement and impatience as he holds the biggest present that was under the tree.
I sit next to Fury on the couch as he says to Noah, “Okay, you can open it now.”
We spend the next twenty minutes opening presents and watching as Noah loses himself in the joy of discovering each present. Fury has spoiled him a little this year. I imagine his ex wouldn’t be too impressed to see how many presents Noah received—because she made it clear to him her thoughts on spoiling their son—but I get it. Fury feels a lot of guilt over being away so much. He told me he knows he went overboard on the presents, but I told him to give himself grace. There’s no perfect way to parent and he’s simply doing the best he can.
As Noah sits surrounded by his presents, seemingly unable to decide which one to play with first, Fury whispers against my ear, “Are you ready for your birthday presents?”
“You bought me more than one?”
“I do recall you telling me years ago that you’re not okay with receiving one present to cover both Christmas and your birthday, so I covered all my bases by buying way more than one present. I figure this might protect me if I fuck up one year and only get you one.”
Something tells me Fury won’t ever fuck that up, but I wanna keep him on his toes, so I say, “Nope. Fair warning: nothing will protect you if you do that.”
He shakes his head playfully. “You know how to work your man hard.”
I loop my hands around his neck. “Am I gonna see these presents or are we just going to sit here and talk about them?”
Scooping me into his arms, he lifts me and says to Noah, “Come with us, Noah. We’re gonna show Zara her birthday present.”
Noah’s head jerks up and his eyes blaze with enthusiasm. Pushing himself up off the floor, he says, “Ooh, trees, trees!”
Fury chuckles and says, “Shh, it’s a secret, remember?”
Noah’s eyes widen as his hand crashes over his mouth.
Fury lets me down and reaches for his son’s hand. “It’s all good, but let’s not ruin the whole surprise, okay?”