I’m just mad I didn’t think of sneaking in first when we all went to bed. I assumed she was tired from the long day of rushing around. But deep down, I had a feeling she wouldn’t want to be alone after everything that happened.
Okay, maybe I’m glad Nash was with her because I wouldn’t have been a calming presence, being nervous as fuck about what I’m about to do today. Telling them I would step in for Tim was such an impulsive decision. I hadn’t fully considered what it really meant when I told them.
It means I have to go on a boat and take us on the ocean, ensuring they stay safe while I try to remember how to navigate a boat again.
It’s been seven fucking years.
I might have obsessively checked the weather forecast last night. There’s a storm brewing on the ocean, but it should pass us by. We should only feel the wind from it, which is okay.
I can handle wind.
At least, I used to be able to.
Nash steps up beside me at the coat rack, grinning from ear to ear as he puts on his jacket. “So, brother, ready for your big comeback?”
I give him a small smile. “You know it’s just until Tim’s back, right?”
I did not give up the CEO position to be with Lio, only to return to the ocean full-time.
I’ve done my time on the water.
“Sure.” Nash winks just as Sloan steps up to us. She looks adorably rumpled, still in one of the white satin pajama sets I bought her.
God, I’d love to just grab her and pull her up to my room, fuck everything else.
But I can’t.
I gave my word.
Nash turns to kiss her and whispers something in her ear, eliciting a smile from her. Then she whispers, “I love you too.”
On his way out to the car, Nash calls into the kitchen, “Bye, boss! Bye, Li-Li!”
I step up to Sloan and cradle her face in my hands, leaning in for a gentle, soft kiss before nipping at her bottom lip. “Behave for me today,” I whisper close to her ear.
I want to tell her I love her, just like Nash did, but I hesitate, wondering if it’s too soon. Before I can decide, she softly says, “Will do, see you later. I love you.” Her eyes radiate adoration as she looks up at me.
“Wow, did you really just say that?” I can’t help but grin, feeling my heart soar with joy.
“Fuck,” she curses under her breath, averting her gaze, but I gently tilt her chin up, encouraging her to meet my eyes again. “I guess I did,” she whispers, a blush spreading across her cheeks.
“I love you too,” I whisper back, sealing my words with another kiss, this one deeper, more fervent. Her hands rise to grasp my wrists.
“Be careful out there, okay? Bring him back to me, just like yourself,” she murmurs against my lips when we break apart.
“I’ll do my best, baby,” I reassure her, but she tightens her grip on my wrists, concern in her eyes.
“Promise,” she insists.
I know I can’t make such a guarantee, but I promise anyway, both to comfort her and to reassure myself. “Promise,” I echo, giving her one more kiss.
Hunter and Lio come out from the kitchen, ready to leave too.
“Sorry you have to go today, but that appointment was made weeks ago,” I apologize to Hunter, who just shrugs it off while I stroke over Lio’s head.
“Don’t worry, we know the drill. Right, bud?” he asks Lio, who grins up at him.
“Can we go whale watching with Uncle Nash this weekend, Daddy?” Lio’s question warms my heart. His wanting me to join their special activity makes me proud.
