Eva smiled, head falling to the side, braid falling over her shoulder, as he moved his attention to her neck. He either was being noncommittal on purpose or he was misunderstanding her. Now the question was, did she let it go for now, or make sure he understood her?

"I mean it," She gasped quietly, fingers loosening from their hold to wander under the collar of his shirt. His skin was warm against her fingertips and she was incredibly distracted. Maybe this wasn't the right time, but they were being honest with one another. "I want you to stay in Irvingly with me." She whispered in his ear. Falling for him was inevitable, but what she really wanted was for him to stay in her new little hometown. They could set down some roots, keep the zoo going, they could take off for projects that interested them together. No need to worry about unrealistic promises or expectations.

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The internal debate between staying and leaving Irvingly was one he had been unsuccessfully having for weeks now. (Mainly unsuccessful because the idea of willingly leaving her was ridiculous.) Which was why Beau pulled himself from the lust fueled moment to better understand what she was asking. Eva wanted him to stay with her, but what did that mean? Merlin, why had she waited until now when he was so easily distracted to bring this up?

Deciding staying was a conversation they could have in the morning, Beau decided on a simple, easy answer, "I'll stay as long as you'll have me." And it was the truth, even if he was growing increasingly convinced he would have to move out of the house. Eva and he had disrespected her father and cousins enough since returning from Arizona.

  

More satisfied by that answer, Eva rather thought that there wouldn't come a time where she wouldn't want him around. Fortunately his response didn't kill the mood either and that felt even more satisfying in the moment.

Framing his face with her hands, Eva pressed a slow, easy kiss to his lips, easing back only briefly to murmur, "Good." That was settled. Now to enjoy the rest of the evening for the nice, slow burn that she anticipated it would be.

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