Chapter 24

As soon as they stepped into the apartment, Khai stopped Grace before turning on the lights. He pulled her back and covered her eyes, chuckling. "Before you look, let me just point out that I've had this apartment for two years. Most of that time, I was focused on nothing but rehab. I was lost after leaving the military and had no idea what I might do next. So, I didn't care about décor or style. This is a bachelor pad. I promise you're free to change anything you want."

When he released her eyes, flipped on the lights, and shut the door, she turned to look up at him. "No matter what you've done to this apartment, it will be the nicest place I've ever lived. Remember, I grew up in a small, modest house with my grandparents before moving to the city and leasing a place where I couldn't afford a frame for my mattress. After that, I spent a year and a half naked in a basement and then three months in your cabin. That was the nicest place I've ever stayed."

"Ah, good point. In that case, if you block out Jagger's nice home, this will look luxurious," he teased.

Khai spun her around so she faced the room. "Living room and kitchen. See? Not much. Couch, end table, kitchen table, and chairs." He took her hand and led her to the short hallway, pointing out the office, half bath, and the master bedroom.

Grace released his hand to wander around the bedroom. She dragged her fingers along the edge of his bed and scanned the room. "Your furniture matches," she commented, grinning. "That's already a step up for me."

He stood in the doorway and rambled. "I'll make room for you in the closet and drawers. Most of the bathroom drawers are empty because I'm a guy. I have a toothbrush and a razor."

His chest was tight. He was in love with this woman. He wanted her to feel at home. He wanted her to be happy. Coming here was making everything so real. What if she hated his place?

"Khai…" she said as she approached him. She grabbed both his hands. "Relax. You don't have to impress me. I'm already yours. I don't care about your apartment décor. I only care about knowing I finally have a soft place to fall."

"Always, love. The softest place."

"I know I'm a little off. I'm totally out of my body. I've been existing in limbo for a long time. Even at Jagger and Kally's house, I was floating as if I weren't occupying my body. It's jarring to realize this is where I'm going to actually live. I feel like I need to pinch myself. Are you really here? Did you really save me and bring me home with you like a stray dog?"

He flinched. "You are not a stray dog, love."

"Semantics. Sometimes, I wonder if maybe I fell out of bed that night a month ago, and what really happened was I hit my head. Perhaps I've been lying in a coma all this time, conjuring up this alternate reality."

Khai released her hands to pull her closer, sliding his arms around her. "This is your reality. If you'll have me, that is. I've made it clear how I feel about you, but I hope I haven't pushed you to reciprocate. If I have, tell me to step back."

She shook her head. "Not a bit. I want to be here. I want to belong."

He leaned forward and kissed her. "You belong here, love, with me. Always."

She rose onto her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him back. "Thank you. For everything." And then she glanced over her shoulder. "I'm exhausted. How about if you show me your mattress? Which side of the bed is yours?"

He smiled. "Whichever side you want me on. I'll end up dragging you to the middle anyway."

"Which side has a weapon in one of those thumbprint boxes?"

He pointed to the side closest to the bathroom. "That side, but I can easily move it."

She shrugged. "I guess it doesn't matter. I'll just take the middle."

He nodded toward the bathroom. "Why don't you take a bath while I make a few trips to the truck to get our stuff?"

She groaned. "A bath… Like with hot water and soap?"

He nuzzled her ear. "Tomorrow, we'll order bubbles and whatever girly shit you want, but yes, use all the hot water you'd like, love."

"Sounds luxurious."

"It's just a tub. Nothing fancy." Suddenly, he had an idea, and he grinned excitedly. "On second thought, how about you don't get too attached to this apartment? Let's start looking for a place that can belong to both of us. Something we choose together. You won't feel like a visitor if we move in together."

"I'm gonna need a job at some point," she pointed out.

"Only if you want. Or…" He flattened a hand on her stomach. "We could let nature take its course, make babies, and you could stay home and spoil them to death."

The smile that lit up her face made Khai's knees nearly buckle. She liked that idea.

"In my dreams as a child, that's what I always wanted, but it never seemed attainable, mostly because I never met a Prince Charming to set up house with him."

"Well, I'm no Prince Charming, but I badly want to set up house with you, and then I want to fill it with laughter and chaos. Bottles and diapers, homework and playdates, love and nurturing."

"That sounds like a slice of heaven." She still had that smile.

Yeah, this was heaven, and it was only going to get better from here.