Page 271 of Burn Bright

“That’s more for me. It’s…therapeutic.” I am more curious now. “Do you think they allow pets in here?” I stride over to the desk and sift through the welcome packet. The rules are typed in bold print. Impossible to miss. “No animals allowed. Welp, there goes my hopes of being a porcupine mom.”

“My apartment doesn’t have those restrictions.” Ben stays against the dresser. “You want to be a porcupine mom, you can keep him at my place.”

His place.He’s officially claiming his brothers’ apartment as his own now, and it’s comforting to hear him firmly plant his feet in the soil and not be so quick to uproot himself. I meet his gaze. “Only if you’re the dad.”

“I’d hope there wouldn’t be another father in the picture, Fisher.”

Happiness pinches my cheeks. “Maybe not a porcupine.”

“Whatever you want.”

It floods me. I can’t stop staring at him. “A bird, maybe.”

His smile shines like a beam of sunlight, and I know this is it. This is the pet we will someday have together. A beautiful little bird.

I glance back at the welcome packet and spot the wordcurfew.Shit, I forgot I need to explain this to him. “Kiki told me about the strict policy for guests.”

“I was informed.” He jerks his head toward the door. “I can’t spend the night. Guests get kicked out at ten p.m. sharp.” He looks me over. “That bother you?”

I shrug. “It bummed me out at first, but considering it applies to all members, I like the security. It’s nice knowing there aren’t strangers creeping around here. And it feels like everyone in the House looks out for each other.” Ben knows I’ve never had that until him and his family. “But it does complicate our situation.”

“You can just sleep at my apartment whenever you want to.” For the first time, his eyes traverse across my new room. Sweeping the space. Really taking it in.

I watch him linger on the single bed, then the corkboard, the pretty wainscotting—but I can’t read his mind.

At all.

I wonder if he wishes we had to go to our plan B. “You’re disappointed that we’re not living together.”

“What?” His brows knit together. “You think that?”

“It’s a hypothesis.” I lift my shoulders again.

“Fisher…” He closes the distance between us, bending a little to pick me up around the waist, just so we’re more eye level. I wrap my legs around him and hold his neck. “Let me disprove it,” he breathes. His eyes fall deeply into mine, and before he even says it, I see it. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”

My chest inflates with a deep inhale, soaking in his words.

“Your accomplishment sends me on a high,” he says strongly. “You living with me isn’t as good as this. It was a backup plan for a reason. It wasn’t the preferred outcome right now, butthisis, and you better celebrate. There better be more happy dances I get to feel. Because I’m not going anywhere.”

“Say it,” I implore.

He smiles, knowing me, knowing what I want, and he says, “I’m still here.”

I will never get tired of hearing that. Or feeling how his fingers slide up into the back of my hair. I love the way his gaze descends upon me, drinking in all my reactions.

Even if I have a massive scowl.

He places my ass on the desk and dips his head to kiss me once, twice. Sensual, stroking, fiery kisses.

I warm all over and tell him between them, “Feel special, Friend, because you’ve been the sole witness to my happy dance—holy shit!” I see a roach scamper across the desk, and I catapult myself off the furniture. My knee collides with Ben, and he lets out a painful groan before placing a strong hand on the desk.

“Shit, fuck.” I wince for him, my hands on his elbow tentatively. “That was your dick?”

Ben’s brows knot. “Yeah,” his voice is rough gravel. “That was my dick, Fisher.”

“Fuck,” I curse again. “Is it okay? Should we check it?”

His eyes grow dark and heady at the suggestion, and his gaze drips down my body. “You asking me to take off my clothes, Friend?”