Entangled (Evolve Series Novella 2.5) Read Online Free Page B

the hallway, pulling the door closed behind
her.
    “Hey,” I greet her with a deep, slow kiss. “Whatcha
hiding?” I glance to the closed door behind us when we break apart, much too
soon for my liking.
    “My room makeover. You think I’m gonna let you
steal all my great ideas?”
    “I bet I can guess what color you’re painting it,” I
grin, picking up a strand of her paint-splattered hair and rubbing it between my
fingers. “I’m glad you changed your mind on the softball yellow. It wouldn’t go
with your eyes.”
    “Hmpf.” She pushes playfully on my chest. “Are you
just here to spy? I thought you had a meeting.”
    “I did, but I’d had enough today. I thought I’d
come take you furniture shopping. We can start filling the living room, the kitchen,”
I shrug, “whatever.”
    She slides her arms around my waist and tucks her
hands into my back pockets, squeezing my ass. “I was thinking about hitting
some garage sales this weekend first. You can get some great deals at them.
That’s how I had filled the house for Daddy and me, living on a fixed income. He
never knew, really.  He’d come home to a nice new shirt, or pair of shoes, or
boots, or work gloves, and go on and on like I’d spent way too much on “such a
fine present,” and I’d spent a dollar.”
    The story is sweet, and so is Laney, taking care of
others any way she can…but I can give her better. I can take care of her in the
finest ways possible. And what good is money if not to spend it on the woman
you love?  
    “W-we are not getting your furniture at a garage
sale ,” I sputter like there’s a bad taste in my mouth.
    “Don’t be such a snob, Richie Rich,” she rolls her
eyes, “lots of stuff you find is very nice. And it’ll save money. You’ve
already spent so much. You bought me a house, for crying out loud. I just want
to cut costs when possible.”
    I take my time, running both my hands through my
hair, then down my face, planning my next sentence. “Baby,” I begin,
deceptively calm as I let out a deep breath, “who better to spend money on than
my favorite person in the world? It makes me happy to do things for you. Please
don’t fight me, just let me.”
    Relationships are about compromise, I know this.
Love is patient, love is kind, blah, blah, blah, but this woman is literally gonna
turn me into a saint…or kill me. I’m not sure which will come first.
    “Dane,” she purrs, closing the practically nonexistent
gap between our bodies and running her hands up my chest, “how about we see
what we can find at sales first and then we can buy the rest?”
    Ah, she, too, was calculating a compromise.
    “I’ll think about it,” I grumble. “I’m starving
anyway. Go get cleaned up and we’ll go eat instead.” I pause to slap her butt.
“We can sleep at my house tonight since you have no bed.”
    “Let’s just go to your house now. I’ll clean up
there and cook for you,” she offers.
    “I swear, you’d argue with a fence post. Fine, let’s
go.” My voice chastises, but I wink, letting her know that I really can’t wait
to have her in my space, all to myself.
     
    “ B aby, leave the dishes and come to me.” I push
back the chair and pat my lap. “Helen can get those tomorrow. I wanna hold
you.”
    “It’s no trouble; it won’t take me ten minutes.” She
glances back over her shoulder and smiles.
    “Laney. Come. Here,” I growl at her, so very
tempted to get up and go swat her constantly argumentative ass.
    “Well,” she drawls saucily, slowly moving to me,
swaying her hips temptingly, “since you asked so nicely.”
    When she’s near enough, I reach out and tug on her
hand, pulling her to me. “Why must you always torture me?” I groan against her
neck, nipping lightly. “So sassy.” I turn her to face away from me and lift her
onto my lap. “Feel what it does to me? I think that’s exactly why you do it.” I
move her silky hair to the side and off her neck, nuzzling my face