“So.” I gave his waist a squeeze. “Youfucking did this, and don’t try to deny it.”
His hands slid into my hair. “I’ll neither confirm nor deny.”
“I don’t understand, though. I’m not living here.”
“Yeah, you are.”
I frowned, meeting his eyes. “Um, why?”
“Because it’s the safest place for you,” he said. “Until this shit with the Beast is truly buried, and until whatever the fuck the FBI has over your head is done, I want you covered. This is the only way to make sure you are.”
“I thought you bought a house.”
“Ididbuy a house.”
“Okay, so why haven’t you moved out?”
“Because it needs a shit ton of renovation, and until we can move into it together, I’m not leaving.”
I pulled away, shaking my head. “See? This is the problem.”
“Tell me the problem, Moonbeam.”
I hated it when he used the ‘talk to the feral cat’ voice. I let out a frustrated squeak. “Weare not a thing. If you want to move into your new house, you should move into your new house.”
He studied me, running his hand through his beard. “Baby girl, we most definitely are a fuckingthing. I get that somethin’s happened and you’re freaked. I’m willin’ to wait for you to disclose on your timetable about exactly what that is, but you and me, we’re gonna move forward because we are abso-fucking-lutely a goddamn thing. Do whatever you need to do to wrap your mind around that. Buy an extra crystal, feng shui your mind, center your chakra, I don’t give a fuck, but you aremine. So, tell me what you want to do with this room, and I’ll make it happen. Tonight, however, you’re in my bed.”
“I’d rather sleep alone.”
“No you wouldn’t.”
“Stop telling me how I feel,” I squawked.
Jesus, he was pushing all my buttons tonight.
“Baby, you’re exhausted, you’re sad, and you’re hungry. I’m two of those things as well. How about we put aside our ongoing argument for twenty-four hours so I can get you fed and rested, yeah?”
I scowled at him, grabbing my bag, and dumping it on the bed. I unzipped it, pulling out my healing gems.
He let out a long sigh. “What are you doing now?”
“This here is pyrite,” I said, waving the mineral toward him. “It wards off negative energy.”
“You know that’s also called ‘Fool’s Gold,’” he retorted.
“Are you calling me a fool?” I snapped.
“I would never,” he droned sarcastically.
I wrinkled my nose, pulling out my kunzite. I closed my eyes as I gripped it and held it to my chest.
“What’s that one for?” he asked.
I opened one eye briefly. “It’s to help you feel joy in a difficult situation.”
“I’m gonna fill the tub while you fondle your rocks,” he said, then I heard him mutter under his breath as he left,“Should be fondlin’ my rocks with all the fuckin’ work I’ve been doin’ around here, but sure, let the shiny stones get all the attention.”
I tried not to laugh as he walked away.