The last thing she would do was complain in front of Blake.For one, he wouldn’t take her on any more long rides until she was used to it, and he’d also spend the night feeling guilty that her body ached.
She needed him to get over what happened in their childhood.Children, especially teenagers, do stupid things they regret later.
The bullying sucked, but she remembered he’d never physically hurt her and had, in fact, punched a few guys for touching her.Now she just had to remind him of that if he brought it up again.
She turned off the shower, reached for a towel, and dried off before putting one around her head to absorb the water.
She slathered on her lotion, brushed her teeth, and found a comfortable outfit.
He’d had someone bring in everything in her SUV, except for the things in the locked box in the back.She’d ask Blake to help bring that in later.
The reflection in the mirror caught her by surprise.She had color from the sun that day, but the happiness that lightened her eyes caught her off guard.
She couldn’t remember feeling this lighthearted.Her mother’s face popped into her head.
She would mourn her for the rest of her life.She’d loved that woman more than anything.There would be a few nights she’d let the tears fall, but she wanted to feel happy at that moment.
A grin crossed her face when she pulled on baggy yoga pants, black socks, and a t-shirt.She would definitely feel relaxed.She second-guessed herself.What if they dressed for dinner?She’d look like an idiot.But then she decided that if she saw him dressed up, she’d return and change.
Right now, she wanted to feel relaxed.She dried her hair until it was damp and then put it up in a messy bun.She put some moisturizer and no makeup on her face.
A glance in the mirror made her smile.Blake was getting the Hanna he’d never seen before, and she wondered how he would take it.
She guessed it wouldn’t bother him, but she would still look for his reaction when she saw him.If he was serious about her and had told her the truth, he needed to see every side of her because she wouldn’t change.
Hanna walked downstairs and froze halfway when Blake came around the corner and looked up at her.
If she thought he’d find her unattractive, she was mistaken.From the look on his face, he still found her appealing.
“I was just coming up to get you.”
“I’m sorry.Am I late?”
“No,” he said and grinned.“I just missed you.”
She smiled.
He held out a hand.“Come here.”
She walked down the steps until she stood in front of him on the first step.What grabbed her attention was the fact that he was still taller than her.
Her breath shuddered in her lungs when he cupped her face and took her mouth in a kiss that showed her, without words, how much he desired her.
She was clinging to his neck when he raised his head.
“Damn, woman.I don’t ever want to stop kissing you.”
Hanna stared.This seemed like a pivotal moment in her life, and she could go one of two ways.She could return to Austin and be alone or stay with Blake and feel happy and loved.
It was a no-brainer.She would figure out what to do with her job and sell or move her things here, but that could be done.
She exhaled.“I don’t ever want you to stop kissing me.”
The look on his face made her smile.He’d grasped what she’d been trying to say and was thrilled.
“I hope you mean what I think you're saying, baby.”
“Let’s talk about it later, okay?”She didn’t want to have this conversation where Dottie could hear.As much as she liked the woman, this was private between her and Blake.
