taken the time to learn. Somehow, we’d both known we were on borrowed time with each other, and we hadn’t wanted to waste a minute.
I led her down the dock and up the short set of stairs in the embankment to a porch swing strung on the limbs of two large madrona trees. We sat down together, holding hands, our hips and thighs touching.
We’d been given a second chance, and I wasn’t letting her slip away this time. “Now what? We’ve both said I love you, laid it on the line. Where do we go from here?” I’d hit her with my best shot.
“Is there anywhere to go?” Her gaze was shuttered, wary. My girl on the run was back, protecting herself and protecting me. I didn’t need protection. I needed to be the protector.
“In my world, there is.” I stared at our linked hands. “I’m not letting you run away this time.”
“Kaden…it’s too—”
“Dangerous. I know. You’ve told me that one hundred times, but we’ll think of something.”
She gave me one of those pitying looks declaring I was delusional and there wasn’t any easy way out of this.
“We need a plan.” And I knew just the guy to consult. Steele was a planner to humble all planners. If anyone might be able to help us, he could.
“Kaden, there’s no way out of this.”
“Promise you’ll give me a chance to work something out. You want to be with me, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then trust me on this and give me your solemn vow you won’t skitter off to parts unknown.”
“No skittering. I promise.” She crossed her heart, and I chuckled. A second later, she was wrapped in my arms, and we held each other tightly, refusing to let reality invade this happy moment.
Finally, we rose together, and holding hands, we walked to the patio door to her room. We stood in front of the door, neither of us knowing where to go from here. I waited, hoping for an invitation inside. She fidgeted, not making a move to open the door and leave me behind. This was a good sign, from my point of view.
I kissed her softly, my lips lingering against hers, not wanting this night to end and fearing when it did she’d change her mind in the morning and bolt once again.
But she’d promised me. If she was the woman I thought she was, she’d be true to her word. Such thoughts shored up my flagging confidence.
“Can I come in?”
She hesitated and met my gaze long enough for me to see the indecision flash across her beautiful face. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“I think it’s the best idea I’ve had all night.”
Without another word, she turned and unlocked the door, opened it wide, and invited me in. I was grinning broadly by the time I crossed the threshold.
In no time, we were undressed and back at it. We couldn’t get enough of each other, and very little sleeping occurred.
By morning, I was sprawled on my back alone in Lanie’s bed. There was a note on the pillow next to my head, and my phone was blowing up. I dealt with the note first and squinted in the morning light to read it.
Had to start my morning. Some of us have to work. Thank you for the unforgettable evening.
There’d be more unforgettable moments if I had anything to do with it. My phone vibrated again. I sighed and rolled my feet off the bed to sit up. I grabbed the phone from the nightstand and blinked several times as I saw the deluge of messages, all from my teammates and their girlfriends.
Steele: Where are you?
Axel: I heard you didn’t make it home last night?
Easton: He scores!
Caro: Are you okay or more than okay?
Geneva: You’re welcome. ;) You can thank Caro and me later.
Steele: Are you still with her? Everything okay?
I ignored the rest, just more of the same. Steele’s texts made me smile. He was worried instead of giving me shit. Out of pity for our team fretter, I responded to him: It’s all good. Be home soon. Need some advice.
Steele: I’ll be here.
I took a quick shower in Lanie’s bathroom, dressed, and went in search of her. I found her cleaning one of the upstairs rooms that’d been vacated this morning. She was singing to herself, and I paused unnoticed in the doorway to listen. A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. Her song of choice was an old Beatles classic, causing me