I lean up on my tiptoes and press my lips to Gilleon's, sliding my tongue into his mouth and taking control of the kiss. My arms come up and wrap around his neck as his hands find my hips, fitting there like they were made for it, like we were made to be together like this.
“I thought you'd be back late,” I tell him honestly, wondering how we're going to kill the few hours between now and our date. I could think of a few ways … “But I'm glad you're here now.”
“I wanted to be here for the delivery,” he says and I glance up at Gill's face, at his still smooth cheeks and his half-smile. “Are you sure you still want everything delivered here? I could have it taken to a storage unit?” Gill's voice is calm, but his hands clench tight, fingers digging into my hips, as he waits for an answer. By all rights, I should ask for the majority of our stuff to go into storage until Cliff, Solène, and I decide if we're staying for sure, but …
“It's fine.” I force a smile and try not to let myself think too long or too deeply about this decision. I haven't officially decided to take Gill back … but I'm strongly considering it. “I miss my clothes.” Gill grins and leans forward like he's considering kissing me again, but he stops short, letting go of me and taking a small step back. We're in a weird place, me and him.
“I'm sorry about your furniture,” he says and I shrug. All those old pieces that belonged to my mom, I sold those to friends. There was always the very real possibility that I'd never get anything from my apartment back, and I wasn't willing to take the chance; Katriane and Jacqueline will take good care of it all. Hell, I could probably call them and—once they got over screaming at me for disappearing, and for moving—I could probably buy it all back from them and get them to ship it for me. Expensive, sure, but I should be able to afford it now. If it weren't for the whole 'trying to kill me and Gill' thing, I'd almost be glad that Karl was after us and not the authorities. Not having to go quiet and stay quiet with my friends and family … kind of priceless.
And I was willing to give it all up for Gilleon.
I cough into my hand and shake my head.
“Don't be sorry, Gill,” I say, turning to go back inside when he reaches out and takes my wrist.
“Dinner,” he says and then grins at me. “Six o' clock, for real this time?” The sparkle in his eyes tells me he really doesn't mind if I decide to change my mind and stay in—as long as he's invited, of course.
“You better not flake on me,” I tell him as he lets go, fingertips scorching across my skin. “Because I have a scalloped lace midi dress sitting sad and lonely in my closet.” I pause as Gill's grin softens into a loving smile, so at odds on his strong, rough face. All of that strength, that muscle, that power, it's all mine. Or it could be. If I'd just let myself have it.
I take another deep breath.
“Thanks for calling Leilani,” I say and then pause, wetting my lips, fully aware that Gill's eyes are following the movement. “She's not in any danger though, is she? I mean, I didn't tell her where I was or anything, but just phone calls should be okay? For Anika, too?”
“I'd never let anything happen to your friend or your sister,” he tells me and then reaches out to swipe some hair from my face. My breath catches at his wild beauty, at the strong, wide silhouette of him against the darkening stormy sky. “I think Karl and Max are going to reach an agreement soon. It's almost over, baby, almost over. I promise.”
I return Gill's smile, take a step back, and go inside.
If I stand out here with him any longer, I might lose my nerve and throw in the towel, even before hearing what he has to say about my mother's death.
At this point, it feels like the only thing I'm really fighting against is Gill's future and my own happiness.
“Knock, knock,” Cliff says from behind me, pushing in the partially cracked bedroom door and giving me an almost sad sort of smile. My stepfather's emotions are written all over his face, scribbled there in black ink. You're making a mistake. I look right back at him and force a smile of my own. “Gilleon says you're going out tonight?”
“Yup. Dinner—again. Hopefully we don't get chased by bad guys this time.” The words come out like a question as I grab my dress for tonight and withdraw it from the closet. Cliff watches me for a moment before running his fingers through his salt and pepper hair, the gesture so very like Gilleon that for a moment, I see Cliff as he probably looked thirty years ago.
“I guess you'll be discussing … things?” I lay the dress on the bed and glance over my shoulder at him, one eyebrow raised.