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“Maybe is better than no.”

“I’m thinking I can write anywhere. And Fen adores me. I’m not sure how he’d feel about a manny or a grandmumnny.”

“A what?” I laugh the words.

“I’m just saying, let’s see how things go with us over the next couple of months, and after you shoot this film and I finish my residency, if we’re still having conversations like these, then I think we can make it all work with your schedule and mine.”

I lean down to kiss her. Something soft and lingering. When I pull back, her eyes stay closed for a moment. “I love you,” I say, because I can now, because we crossed that threshold last night and I’m no longer afraid of it. “I don’t say that lightly, Keegan.”

“I know you don’t.” She opens her eyes. “I love you too. That’s why this is terrifying.”

“My mum told me the best things are worth risking everything for.”

“I thought she told you to never fall in love.”

“Apparently I was wrong.”

She rolls her eyes and snorts a laugh. “Good thing she didn’t tell you that before or who knows who you’d have ended up with.”

Her hand slides down my chest, finding the scar just below my ribs from a stunt gone wrong years ago. The baby monitor crackles again, and this time there’s a small whimper. We both freeze, waiting to see if it develops into a full cry. After a moment of silence, we exhale in unison.

“He’s a seriously good sleeper,” she observes.

“He’s the best.”

“That’s sweet.”

“I mean it.”

She kisses me then, slow and deep, her body shifting against mine. My cock stirs again, and I’m amazed at how quickly she can affect me.

“So,” she says when we eventually part, her eyes bright with a mixture of fear and excitement. “Back to Boston by the end of the week.”

“Yes,” I agree. “Just the three of us with the entire world all over us. Not so bad.”

“When do you move into your new place? Did you already buy it?”

“Not yet. I’m not sure when that’ll all come together.”

“You and Tinsley will be inseparable now. More than you already are. You’ll have sleepovers constantly.”

“Likely. But three’s a crowd in a bed.”

“Huh? I’m not moving in with you. Not that you asked or anything, but after living with you for ten days, I’m sure you can understand. Besides, we’ve only been real for a hot beat.”

“Perfectly reasonable.” I try to keep my voice light. “You want a safety net. I respect that. But just so we’re clear, I am asking you to move in with me. But it can be at your own pace.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I prefer charming or persuasive or even devilishly sexy works as well.”

“Ridiculously charming, then.” She stretches, catlike, against me. “Let’s see how things go once we’re back on dry land. And let’s figure out who’s outing you to the press.”

“We will,” I tell her resolutely. “And when I do, there will be hell to pay for them.

“Yeah?”

I trace patterns on her bare shoulder. “I’ve spent my career playing men who go after the thing they want most. The treasure, the girl, saving the world, whatever. But they’re always chasing something. It’s part of their inner conflict and makes for a good story on screen.” I meet her eyes. “But I’m not chasing anymore. I’ve found what matters, and it’s all right here in this hotel suite. Now it’s just about protecting it, and I won’t let anyone fuck with you or with Fen. I won’t.”