glad. I hadn’t planned on stopping anyway. I was going to drive on past their place and pull into mine to see if I could sway her decision. Not that I would ever force her to stay with me. But I was hoping a few kisses might help persuade her. If she decided to go to her grandparents’ place, I was good with taking the couch. Parking my truck in the driveway, I turn off the ignition and angle to look at her. “You hungry?”
“Starving, actually.”
“Come on, let me feed you.” Grabbing my phone and keys, I climb out of the truck and meet her at the bottom of the porch steps. With my hand on the small of her back, we climb the steps, and I give her the code to unlock the door.
“What if I come back and steal you blind?” she asks, pushing open the door.
“You won’t. Besides, you don’t have to steal anything. If it’s mine, it’s yours. I’ll give you anything you want.”
“Those are big declarations, Rip Callahan.”
“They are,” I agree. “That should tell you that this isn't a game to me, Kenna. I want you. I want you in my life, in my house, in my bed. I want anything and everything that you’re willing to give me.”
“That’s… unexpected.”
“Is it? I’ve been honest with you from the day you came home. When I kissed you that night at the bonfire, I knew I was tired of waiting.”
“Tired of waiting?”
“Let me make us some dinner, and I’ll tell you anything that you want to know.”
“Can I help?” Hope blooms in my chest. Maybe we can finally talk, and she’ll listen.
“You can. You can sit your fine ass at the island so I can see you while I’m making you something to eat.”
“I know how to cook.”
“I know you do, baby, but I want to take care of you. It’s been an emotional day, and you just need to relax.”
“What are we having?” she asks, ignoring my term of endearment. Well, she tries too. I saw the flash in her eyes, the one that tells me she’s not immune to me.
“Omelets.”
“Perfect. I always loved eating breakfast for dinner. Gram used to do it pretty often when I was growing up.”
“I think I might have heard you mention that a time or two.” I wink at her.
“Thank you for coming back with me today. It was nice to know I wasn’t alone.”
“McKenna.” I stop what I’m doing and wait for her to set those big brown eyes on me. “As long as there’s breath in my lungs, you will never be alone. Never.”
She swallows hard, and tears once again mist her eyes. Dropping what I’m doing, I dry my hands and make my way around the counter to her.
“I don’t know why I’m so emotional,” she says as I wrap my arms around her.
“It’s been a long, hard day, baby. You have to give yourself some grace.”
“I’m sorry.” She snuggles into my chest.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. Why don’t you go stretch out on the couch? I’ll bring you a glass of wine and dinner when it’s ready.”
“Omelets and wine?”
“We make our own rules, McKenna.” I grin. “Go sit, and I’ll bring you a glass while I’m cooking dinner.”
“Thank you, Rip. For everything.”
“Anything for my girl.” I kiss her forehead and step away from her. I promised my girl a glass of wine, so that’s what I’m going to do.
A few hours later, we’re sitting on the couch. McKenna’s head is leaning on my shoulder, and it’s my idea of the perfect night. When she yawns, I know it’s time to call it quits. “You ready for bed?”
“Yes.” She sits up and stretches before standing from the couch.
“Go on upstairs. You know where my shirts are if you need something to sleep in. I’m going to lock up and turn out the lights.”
“I have clothes to sleep in.”
“Yeah, but I like you in mine.” I grin before turning and walking away to lock up. It would be too easy to get lost in her down here, and if and when I make love to her again, it’s going to be in a bed, and I’m going to memorize every fucking second of it.
“Bathroom’s all yours,” she says a few minutes later as I walk into my room.
“Nice shirt,” I comment.
“Thanks, this really nice guy said I could wear it.”
“Did he now?”
“He did. Something about liking me in his clothes.”
I take slow, gradual steps toward her,