65. Two Conditions
two conditions
. . .
Sadie
Sadie’s Guide to Hostage-Taking Being Taken Hostage Forming a Partnership with Your Hostage Embracing the Hostage Lifestyle Not Freaking Out Escaping Being Taken Hostage (Again) Falling for Your Hostage, Tip #39: If you play your cards right, you might never have to let your hostage go.
Despite Davian’s newfound enthusiasm for lumpy dog beds, we did not have sex on the dirty shelter floor a second time after I remembered there were now security cameras in the lobby—even after he assured me he’d take care of the footage. I was bound to achieve my goal to stop jumping him in public one of these days.
But we did snuggle and trade kisses until my heart was so full I thought it might burst.
There may have been some tasteful grinding, too.
I blamed the horny demon.
Eventually, our cuddling was cut short when it was time to feed the dogs breakfast.
“What time does Emily usually get here?” Davian asked as he helped me to my feet.
I straightened his borrowed jacket on my shoulders and blinked up at him, trying to think of a reason he would ever need to know our receptionist’s work hours. “Not for another half hour. Why?”
“Just need her to put the papers together for an adoption.”
My brow wrinkled, and I was slightly concerned for his sanity as I looked around the empty lobby. “But there aren’t any visitors. No one’s here to adopt yet.”
Davian’s lips twitched. After a long moment of him watching me expectantly, it hit me.
My jaw dropped. “… You? You’re here to adopt a dog?”
Davian’s answering smirk told me he was enjoying this far too much. “I’m here to get my girl, but I understand she’s a package deal.”
My heart skipped a beat at being called his again, but that took a backseat to what else Davian was saying.
“…You want to adopt Bear?” I asked, struggling to wrap my mind around that.
“I want us to adopt Bear,” he corrected, the amusement in his eyes growing. “Together.”
“Shared custody?” The words sounded robotic, but I had no idea how to feel. It felt dangerous to hope. “That’s… Wow. That’s big. But that might be hard on him to move between homes, and my housing doesn’t allow dogs?—”
“It’s a good thing you’re not going back to that shithole, then.”
The simple statement broke my brain.
That wasn’t… He couldn’t possibly be… I swallowed around a suddenly dry throat. “Are you trying to ask me something?”
His smirk only grew more insufferable as he closed the distance between us, settled his hands on my hips, and lowered his voice. “I think it’s my turn to take you hostage. Move in with me?”
A nervous laugh escaped me. The idea of moving in with a man I’d just met was crazy— ludicrous , even—but it was also unbelievably exciting.
And I’d get to keep Bear.
A rush of emotion clogged my throat, cutting off my laughter, and I couldn’t find any words. My heart threatened to explode.
Davian must’ve taken my silence for hesitation, because he squeezed my hips. “I want you safe, Sadie. Besides, living together has its own benefits for our crime partnership—the most selfish one that I want you in my bed every night. And every morning.”
Well, then.
My body had no business getting hot all over at those words.
“It’s a big step,” I hedged. I couldn’t imagine what my parents would say about me moving in with a man I’d just met. Let alone one in the mafia.
And Gladys would have a field day with this.
“Think of all the baking you could do with those stand mixers you like so much,” Davian added, his tone cajoling. “And you can swim in the pool every day.”
A warm, fuzzy feeling took root in my chest.
Thinking about baking in his gourmet kitchen whenever I wanted to was a lovely thought. I wasn’t too proud to admit his pool was a major selling point, too.
But most of all, I wanted to sleep in Davian’s arms again tonight. And maybe all the nights after.
“Okay.” I grinned, throwing caution to the wind. I’d never been one to hold back before, so why start now? “Let’s do it.”
His grip flexed on my hips, but Davian cleared his throat before I could get too excited.
“Before we make this adoption official, I have a couple conditions,” he said.
Suddenly suspicious, I squinted at him. “What kind of conditions?”
“Bear doesn’t sleep in our bed.”
I frowned. “But he has nightmares, Dav.”
Davian made a face. “What nightmares can a dog possibly have?”
“Well, there’s the recurring one where he’s chasing a squirrel, but it’s always just out of reach. Then he starts shaking, and I think that means the dream squirrel mutated into a giant squirrel monster and turned the tables on Bear.”
Davian stared at me.
“…How about only when he has nightmares?” I offered diplomatically, but I still crossed my fingers behind my back.
Just in case.
Davian’s eyes narrowed just the smallest hint. “Fine, then we’re getting a bigger bed.”
That was crazy. His bed was already huge!
But I smiled. “What’s your other condition?”
I must be seeing things, because I could swear Davian actually hesitated a moment before his lips formed a thin line.
“Bear’s the only pet,” he said. “No others. I’m sorry, Sadie, but we can’t have the compound turning into a zoo. It’s too risky with my work.”
Well, that wasn’t much of a sacrifice, considering I hadn’t been allowed any pets at my apartment. Bear was more than enough, and my smile grew into a grin. “Deal.”
I held out my hand to shake on it, but Davian only used it to pull me closer before leaning down with that wicked glint in his eyes. He sealed our agreement with a kiss that made my knees buckle.
It was thorough and hungry and so very Davian when he wrapped his hand around the back of my neck to deepen the kiss.
I wanted a million more just like it.
He pulled back too quickly for my liking, before placing one more short sweet kiss on my lips that was equally addictive.
“Let’s make it official, then I’m taking you out for ice cream,” he said, lowering his voice.
I blinked. Ice cream for breakfast?
He really did know me better than I thought.
“But Bruno’s doesn’t open until eleven thirty,” I said, having memorized The Sprinkled Scoop’s schedule years ago.
The mischievous glint in Davian’s gaze immediately put me on alert. “I already called him. He’s making an exception for his favorite customer.”
My brows shot up, but I wasn’t sure what was more surprising—the size of Davian’s ego or that it still managed to surprise me. “Making celebration plans before you even asked me? Someone was confident.”
He intertwined our fingers and tugged me toward the reception desk. “Bruno’s was my backup plan in case you needed more convincing. I’m not opposed to bribery.”
I gaped at his back as Davian led me across the lobby, shaking my head in disbelief the whole way.
But I couldn’t believe my luck.
When I accidentally started down the path to a life of crime, I’d never expected to end up in my hostage’s arms—let alone falling for him. But as Davian held me close while we signed Bear’s adoption papers, there was nowhere I’d rather be.
And if I had the chance to do it all over?
I would take him hostage again in a heartbeat.
~ fin ~