Chapter 40
40
Millie
By the sound of the heavy machinery outside, I know it’s morning before I even open my eyes. Keeping them closed, I flip through memories of last night. Our time together was a dream, and I’m not ready to wake up.
Ezra told me he loves me. And I let him come inside me. I opened the floodgates—pun intended—by taking that next step in our relationship, and I’m certain that he won’t want to stop.
I can’t blame him. It was unbelievable, having all of him inside me. I don’t know what kind of magic his seed is laced with, but just the memory of that moment has me needy and squirming under the sheets.
He stirs beside me and lazily drags a hand up my thigh. “Mmm,” he groans in that morning voice I want to record and play every day while I’m away. “What did you dream about that’s got you so wet?” He whips back the sheets, and the cool air of the bedroom instantly assaults me. He parks himself between my legs and rests his chin on my belly. “Morning, gorgeous.”
Suddenly, being awake has its perks .
The person who said exercise was the best way to start the day was sorely mistaken. I’d kill to be woken up like this for the rest of my life.
And my heart rate is definitely up. Surely that counts as exercise.
“Now sit on my cock and tell me you love me.”
I turn off the shower, instantly registering the sound of Ezra’s voice. That means his mom and brother have arrived. Releasing my dry hair from a claw clip, I give it a shake. Quickly, I run my fingers through it, then apply a little bronzer and mascara. My cheeks are still flushed from my wake-up call, so I skip the blush.
“Millie, my love,” Dawn calls when I emerge from the bedroom. “How are you?”
I eagerly accept her embrace, letting her powdery rose scent soothe me.
We spoke two nights ago, yet I find myself filling her in on the everyday occurrences since then. Somewhere along the way, we bonded over unlikely animal friend videos. I send her one of a duck and a fox, and she sends me one of a squirrel and a deer. It’s our love language.
Over breakfast, she pummels me with questions about the show. Her enthusiasm is so contagious and intoxicating that I’m suddenly wildly invigorated to be back on stage, performing in front of a live audience.
“Oh, Kane. Go get that thing for Millie,” she instructs, abandoning the dishes at the sink.
When he returns, he places a small black velvet box in my palm .
“Bro, you better not be proposing to my girlfriend.” Ezra shoves him with brotherly affection.
“Dude.” He pushes back. “I’m gay, remember?”
We’re all still chuckling as I open the box and discover a necklace with a gold star pendant nestled between two small diamonds. “It’s beautiful,” I gasp.
“Tell her what it means,” Dawn stage-whispers to Kane.
He clears his throat. “Oh, uh, sure. The star is you?—”
“Because you’re a star.” Dawn clasps her hands over her chest, her face alive with delight.
“And the diamonds on the side represent me and Ezra.”
My breath hitches and my heart pangs in the sweetest way. Despite my best efforts to remain stoic, tears prick the corners of my eyes.
“It’s perfect. Thank you. I love it.” Stepping forward, I tug Kane down for a hug. “I love you,” I tell him, tossing a wink to Ezra over his brother’s shoulder.
He squeezes me in return. “I love you too, Mills.”
Ezra rubs at his beard, the crease between his eyebrows deepening, making me wonder if he’s heard those words from him yet.
I hug Dawn next, and she’s all too eager to latch the necklace.
“Way to make me look bad,” Ezra teases, clasping Kane’s shoulders from behind.
“You’ve gotta up your game, old man,” he volleys back.
“Old man, huh?” Ezra quirks a brow. “You better sleep with one eye open, punk.”
“Enough, you two,” Dawn scolds, her face still lit with joy. “Will you kids be fine if I head out, or do you need supervision?”
I frown at her. “You’re leaving?”
“Yes, sweetheart. I’ll say my ‘see you later’ now and give you all some privacy.”
Tearful hugs are exchanged— again —and then Dawn is off, headed for the train back to Brooklyn .
We’re so lost in soaking in our time together that when I look at the clock, my heart lurches. “Shit. I’ve gotta go.”
Kane wanders into the kitchen while Ezra watches me frantically throw toiletries into my bag. When I’m done, he hands me a motion sickness band and an external charger wrapped in a bow. “It’s not diamonds.” He gives me a tentative smile. “But at least you won’t throw up and your phone will stay charged.”
“ Ha ha .” I give him a mock glare. He’ll never let me forget the time I showed up at JFK with a dead phone battery. “I love it. You’re so thoughtful.” Chest aching, I pinch the star at my collarbone. “Your family is lovely.”
“They’re your family, too, you know. You told me you love me, so now you’re stuck with me.” He kisses me on the lips.
“I knew you were a stalker,” I tease.
He clears his throat, his expression going serious. “I’ve never told a woman I love her before.”
Breath catching, I blink up at him. “Never?”
He hums. “I told plenty of girls in high school, but I didn’t mean it.”
“Ezra Theo Miller,” I scoff, desperate for a little levity. “You call those women up right now and apologize.”
He tugs me into his chest. “I don’t have their phone numbers. That was back in the olden days before everyone walked around with cell phones.”
“How old are you?”
With a chuckle, he smacks me on the ass. “None of those counted. I didn’t know what love was until you.”
My heart thumps against my sternum as his words register. Lord, this man knows how to make me swoon. “And now that you know?”
“I’m never letting you go.”
“See? Stalker ,” I deadpan. If I don’t mess with him, I’ll crumple into a blubbering mess. I’m going to miss this .
“Shut your mouth and kiss me.”
“How can I shut my mouth and ki?—”
He cuts me off with his tongue shoved down my throat and only pulls away to call me a “little shit” before devouring me again.