“If I could tie you to this bed, I would, but your grams is a powerful person. She’d likely hire a mercenary crew to blow in my front door to find you.”
“I wouldn't be so sure about that,” I mutter, making myself get out of the bed. Grams is so team Eros. It’s why she hasn't said a peep about me not having been home for a while. Eros offers me his hand. I take it. He pulls me into his arms and kisses me sweetly. He lets out a groan, stepping back.
“Go or you’ll make me a man not of my word.” He turns me toward the bathroom and gives my ass a smack.
“Hey!” I shout but get moving.
“You enjoy it,” I hear him say from behind me. He’s right. I do. I find when it’s only Eros and me, him bossing me around is a turn-on. I think because I know he’s not only a good man but whatever he’s doing is always guiding me toward something I want. Each day I spend with him only has me relaxing more and more.
It’s scary, and I know I’m past the point of no return when it comes to him. NoI love youshave been said, but I’m pretty sure I’m there. There is no point in running from him. I’d be brokenhearted either way. So here I am trying to appear like I’m not turning into a stage five clinger.
Quickly, I get myself together, even putting on some makeup and doing my hair. I stare at the mess I’ve left on the bathroom counter.
“I’ll get it later,” Eros says, suddenly popping up behind me.
“I’ll clean up when I get back tonight.”
“Don’t worry about it. I want you to eat because I’m guessing you won’t eat again until dinner.” He grabs my hand, leading me out to the kitchen, where he’s made me a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. A mug full of coffee sits next to it.
“Maybe we should reschedule the dinner?”
“I’m not hiding from your parents.”
“You’re a hermit by nature. I read about it online. Now all of a sudden you want to go out to dinner at some fancy restaurant?” Eros hadn’t given two shits that our relationship was leaked on some gossip blog. In fact, he grunted and said good. I hid the thrill I’d gotten over him wanting everyone to know I was his girl.
“My woman owns a fancy restaurant.” I roll my eyes.
Should I be checking in on that place? I’m glad my father didn’t request that our dinner be there. That might have made things more awkward. They demanded to meet Eros after the subject of him and me hit the papers. I actually can’t get a feel for what they think of him. He’s not some bum off the street. The man has skills, and I don’t mean only in the bedroom. His art is priceless, if you ask me.
But if I had to guess, my parents want me to be with some banker or someone with a family last name that holds weight. It’s stupid, but I agreed to go to dinner because the little girl inside of me is still always hoping for a bit of their approval.
“So, what are your plans?” he asks, standing beside the kitchen island in a pair of low-riding sweatpants that are covered in old paint. He is really making it hard to leave.
His chest is bare unless you count the love-bite I left on it. I noticed I do that a lot. I think it’s because I want to mark him, and it’s how I can do it without using my ink. Which is something I very badly want to do. I’ve never put ink on a man before, but there is this need inside of me to put it on him. I shouldn’t be surprised.
The man makes me feel things I’ve never felt before with anyone else. Even the love I have for him is different. It’s wrapped all around my heart like ivy that’s gotten out of control and has now slithered its way inside of it. There is no undoing it.
“I’m going to Mick’s shop to finish a tattoo I’ve been working on for Kelsey. Today it should be complete. I’ve been doing it in stages. I only have some coloring left to do. Then I’ll head back home and find something that is suitable to wear for dinner and meet you at the restaurant. That work for you?”
“I’d rather pick you up.”
“It’s out of the way.” I check my phone to see the time. “Plus, if the ink takes longer than I think, which it normally does, I’ll be running behind, and I’m not sure if Grams is coming.”
“All right,” he agrees, but I know he doesn’t want to. “Who’s Mick?”
“She owns a tattoo shop. I use her space sometimes. Getting jealous again?” I smirk. I should not be eating that up, but I am. Every drop of it. It shows me that he’s as into me as I am him. And that he’s not growing bored of me.
“Always.” He gives me the same answer he usually does when I tease him with the question.
“Here.” I open my phone and share my location with him. His whole face lights up when his phone goes off and he sees what I’ve done. It’s a bigger deal than most might realize, but Eros gets it. I’m a runner, and now I’ve given him a way to always find me.
“All right, I’ll see you tonight.” He leans down and kisses me. His fingers sink into my hair to deepen the kiss. I really hope my parents don’t ruin this for me. They really are the final test. Sometimes I can barely tolerate them, and I love them. I don’t know how Eros will do. His mom is a sweetheart. The kind of mom you dream about having.
I’m not sure he really knows what he’s getting himself into.
CHAPTER21
EROS