The House Always Wins - 39. Chapter 39

CHAPTER 39

I returned around 11am, walking into an empty apartment. I’d half dreaded that he’d be home still, and catch me as I snuck back in to put everything back before he noticed. Finding him gone at least gave me time to prepare for what was probably going to be the most important conversation I’d ever had. I wondered how he’d react, when I told him to keep his money, in return for the one thing I wanted to hear. I just hoped he’d finally come right out and say it.

Remembering that I’d turned my phone off, I let my backpack slide down to the floor and retrieved it. Turning it back on, I almost dropped it when it began to buzz immediately after it powered up; what the...

I heard another sound, a gasp, and looked up to find Michael standing in the doorway of the study. He looked hellish; his hair mussed, like he’d combed through it a lot with his fingers, a shirt on but unbuttoned, not even tucked into his pants; as if he’d just put it on and then forgotten about it. In his hand he clutched his phone. He pressed a button and mine stopped buzzing.

"You’re here," he said, breathlessly, staring.

"Umm...yeah, I’m here?"
Why was he looking at me like that? And why was he so...disheveled?

"Your things were gone...you’re here?” he repeated.

"Michael...”
Shit; so he’d seen I’d taken my stuff. How was I gonna talk myself out of this one?

I didn’t have to.

One second he still stood there, staring; the next he was in front of me, grabbing my head with both hands, his mouth landing in a kiss so hungry, I had no other choice but to yield. Oh, hey! Wow! Okay, not expecting that!

"You were leaving me, weren’t you?" he asked, speaking against my mouth between kisses. "You really weren’t going to say anything? Just leave me like nothing ever happened?"

"I ehr...well, I was," I admitted. He growled softly, his arms constricting around me, I could hardly move. It felt great and scary, at the same time. "Michael, Olivia told..."

"You," he interrupted, "are not going anywhere! You belong here, with me. I’ll lock the elevator if I have to."

My heart began to pound. Oh God, if only he’d say it; I’d never dream of going anywhere, ever again.

"What if there’s a fire?"
He glared. Okay, so maybe not the right time to be cheeky.

"It’ll have to go through me, first."
He groaned.
"Dammit, Jason," he continued, "I could kill you for this. And if you ever hang up on me again, and turn off your phone, there’ll be hell to pay. God...what are you trying to do to me..."
He clearly was angry!

"But you won’t... because..." I prompted. If that wasn’t enough, I’d take Olivia’s advice and ask straight out. I’d go all-in, nothing else to lose.

He damn near exploded.

"Because I love you, you idiot!" He roared, right in my face.

Oh fuck.
He said it! He really said it!

"Didn’t you realize that? I thought I showed you, for fuck sake; what else can I do, other than...”
He paused, going still.
"Jesus, I never said it..."

His hands still cupping my jaw, he shook me.

"Oh God, I’m an idiot. Jason, I thought you already knew! I. Love. You!"

Ah man, my heart was racing now and when he withdrew, and sought my gaze, I could actually see it. His eyes blazed with it.

"You thought I didn’t? Of course I do. I thought I’d been obvious enough! Which is why I didn’t understand...I woke up, and all your things were gone. If you were trying to get me in hospital, you almost succeeded. Damn near gave me a heart attack."

Before I realized what I was doing, I slid my arms around his neck and jumped up, wrapping my legs around him while burying my face in his neck, whispering that I loved him too.
He grunted but held me tightly to him.

"Fucking hell, I was so worried! When I found all your things gone, you have no idea how I felt. Like I lost it all."

Leaning back, I looked at him, interlacing my fingers behind his neck and grinned wide, so stupidly happy.

"Say it again."

"Kiss first," he demanded, smiling and appearing a lot happier than a minute ago. Relieved.

So hell yeah! I’d kiss him silly, if he wanted. Planting one on him, I began to laugh when I felt us moving, his mouth hungrily taking over. But once it ended, him having sat down on the sofa with me astride him, he said it again.

"I love you so fucking much, it hurts."
Pulling me closer, he glared.
"And I’ll never let you out of my sight again! You little deceiver, using your tricks on me like that."
I grinned.

"Sorry?"

"Not forgiven!"
He softly bit my nose.
"But you can make it up to me."

"Deal. What do I have to do?"

"Marry me."

"Huh?"

"I’ll forgive you if you marry me. I know you don’t believe in it, but I do. And I mean it, Jason; I really don’t ever want to lose you. I want us tied together, legally. Forever."

Wow.

"Can I think about it?"

I tried to keep a straight face when he growled again, failing. I already knew my answer anyway.

"You have five seconds."
Biting my lower lip, I counted in my head. At four, he blew up.
"JASON!"

"Fine! Yes! Jeez!"

"Even if you don’t believe in it? You’ll do that...for me?"

Abso-friggin’-lutely! Because it tied him to me, too! Forever!

"Yes! But you can forget about the stupid dog. I don’t do doggy."

"I know for a fact that you do," he winked, "but fine. No dog. I’ll take a husband in return."

At that, he let go of me and pumped the air with both fists.

"Jackpot!"

I grinned and nodded.

"Ahuh. I guess the house always wins..."

"And don’t you dare forget it."

The End.

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