“What a gift that is. To have so many people who love and care about you, a family that can gather for holidays and decorate trees and cabins and just…do life together.” She sighed. “It’s a gift.”
He glanced over and grinned, thinking of the way Lorraine had called him that very thing—a gift to them.
“You’re right,” he agreed.
Justine reached for his hand and sandwiched it between hers. “Ah! I just really love them all,” she gushed, that dreamy life-loving look in her eye. “Your siblings, their spouses, Lorraine, Claudia, and goofy Michael. And those kids…”
He agreed with a nod, appreciating that she was on the same high he was. “Yes, those kids are something else.”
“And don’t you love the way they all shared their stories with us?” Justine asked. “They were so open. I knew they’d been in the media a lot recently, but I hadn’t paid enough attention to know why.”
She shook her head. “To hear that Duke signed up for a reality wedding show and Zander pretended to be him on live TV. And then during the honeymoon.” A laugh seemed to sneak up her throat.
“And Betzy,” Burke added. “She pretended to be engaged too. If anyone understands what that’s like, we do.”
“You’re right,” she agreed. “At least if they found out about our little Piney Falls charade, they wouldn’t think we were that crazy.” She yawned. “Can’t believe how tired I am suddenly. I might rest.” She sighed once more and sank deeper into the seat.
Burke lifted their linked hands and pressed a kiss to hers. “Go ahead, babe. We’ve had an action-packed few days.” But then one last thought came to mind. “Justine?”
“Hmm?”
“I, um…I took on the name Benton after I turned eighteen, and changed my last name—Richards—to my middle name instead. I would have told you sooner, but I was trying to protect the family name, you know? Until they were ready for people to know about me.”
She gave his hand a squeeze. “That makes sense.”
“Good,” he said with a sigh. “It feels good to tell you that. All of it, actually. I’m glad you know who my family is. I’m glad you like them so much. They seem crazy about you.”
“They seem crazy about you too, Burke,” she said. “They’re wonderful. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you.” Emotion coated his reply. “I’ll let you rest now.”
Her eyes drifted shut, and soon Burke was left to his own thoughts. It seemed that life was really coming together, wasn’t it? As if everything he’d wanted—every feasible thing, that is—had been given to him.
He fought off the pessimistic voice that said it was all about to go south now. The whole rise before the fall. He’d lost in life before, hadn’t he?
It was possible that, despite Justine’s affinity for the Bentons, she’d want to steer clear of a famous bunch that hosted a TV show and cycled through the media without fail.
A dart of fear sank deep into his chest.
Burke tightened his grip on the steering wheel and glanced over at her while she slept. Yes, he could lose her, he admitted. And in a moment flat, it could all go awry. But this time, he decided, determination sprouting within him, it wouldn’t scare him away.
“Home sweet home,” Burke cooed.
Justine squeezed her eyelids tight before working to open them. She’d slept most of the way home, something she hadn’t planned on doing, but how could she avoid it when the last few days had been filled with more fun, hope, and joy than she’d experienced in a very long time? The days spent with Burke and the Benton family had been like a dream.
“Hi,” she said softly, shifting in the passenger seat to face him.
Burke moved in slowly, slightly grinning as he did, until his lips were very close to hers. He kissed her then, instantly stirring an interest with those strong, heavenly lips.
Sparks of heat flared low in her tummy as she brought a hand to his cheek, reveling in the feel of his chiseled jaw beneath her palm. How had she not known that kissing could be this good?
Goosebumps rose along the surface of her arms as Burke deepened the kiss, the sound of that raspy whimper at his throat. He pulled back slowly, teasing her lips with the velvety trace of his tongue, then hovered over her mouth just a breath space away.
Yes, this was a nice thing to wake up to.
He paused there as his breath seemed to hitch. As if he was…nervous