“The cursing or the punch?”
“The twins’ delivery.”
She’d be right. Black eye aside, holding those tiny babies in my arms mere moments after they took their first breaths was the greatest experience of my life thus far. A little girl with her mother’s red hair and my blue eyes floated through my mind as I imagined holding my own bundle of joy. It would be the only thing to top that day. Well, and making Waverly my wife.
Life goals.
8SEXCAPADES
Waverly
“Kidnapping an officer of the law is a federal offense, you know?”
“I’ll let you cuff me when we get there.” He took his eyes off the road long enough to waggle his eyebrows at me.
“Something tells me that wouldn’t exactly be a punishment.”
“Only one way to find out.”
Rolling my eyes, I shifted in the passenger seat of his Audi. I wasn’t a fan of surprises and if my bouncing legs were any indication, it showed.
“Relax.” Covering my knee with his hand, he squeezed. “We’ll be there soon.”
“And where is there again?”
“Nice try, baby.”
Gah!
After the dumpster fire of a week, we went out for dinner and drinks at Birds of a Feather to celebrate surviving ’til Friday. The gang was all there; Shayne, my team, Henley, and Jade. Only Nelson and Sammy hadn’tjoined us. It was the first time many of us had been back to our old haunt. The place brought back a lot of memories; not all of them good. Thankfully, Keaton’s crew was able to transform the old sports bar into a tropical oasis. It looked nothing like it did before.
When we missed the turnoff for Finn’s house, he finally told me we were going away for the weekend. I should’ve known something was up when Shayne asked whether I liked the beach or the mountains better. The damn traitor was in on my surprise, even going so far as packing a bag for me. I’d get her back eventually.
Forty-five minutes later, we pulled up to a cabin in the woods. Okay, cabin was an understatement for the two-story, A-frame with a wraparound porch. A secluded, luxury villa would have been a more appropriate description. The tiny cottage sitting to the left was presumably for Joel and Noreen, who were following behind us. At least Finn took his security seriously.
Finn carried our bags toward the staircase. “Why don’t you grab us a drink out of the fridge. I’ll put these in the master, then fire up the hot tub.”
“It’s stocked?”
“The fridge? Of course. What do you take me for, an amateur?”
“So I’m not the first woman you’ve kidnapped?”
“You’re the only woman I’ve eversurprisedwith a weekend getaway,” he hollered over his shoulder, quickly disappearing from view.
Spinning around, I went in search of liquid courage. I’d need it to get over myself. My past relationships barely lasted until the “staying the night” stage, let alone a vacation. Since I was currently living in his home, I’d say we surpassed the first milestone and had reached the secondin record time. The whole going away together thing was new and terrifying territory for me. Hence, my need for alcohol.
Grabbing two bottles of beer out of the fridge––which was indeed stocked full––I popped both tops off and took a healthy swig. With nothing left to do, I took our drinks and moved to the glass sliders I passed on the way to the kitchen. Hopefully, they led to the porch or even a deck. Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the surrounding forest, as soon as I slid the doors partially closed behind me, followed by a rumble of thunder. Seconds later, the heavens opened up.
Mountain weather was bipolar. One minute it was clear skies, the next, all hell broke loose. I didn’t even remember hearing about a chance of storms.
“Well, it was a no-go for the hot tub anyway.” Finn came up beside me, taking his beer from my outstretched hand while I leaned against the railing, twirling the neck of the other bottle between my fingers.
“Why’s that?”
“I couldn't get the heater to turn on.”
“Mother Nature had other plans for us, it seems.”
