“Remy, you don’t have to say that. It’s my role to tell you how amazing you are.”
“Maybe it’s mine too. Maybe we both need to know from each other that we’re doing okay.”
I don’t want to be vulnerable. I really don’t. But she’s doing so much, so I crack open my chest and ask, “How’m I doing?”
“Much better than okay. I’m pretty sure you deserve good things too.”
My heart slams hard against my rib cage, like it’s trying to break out. I want to wrestle the organ, shove it behind the door, lock it up. This woman is doing things to me that I wasn’t expecting. She’s breaking down walls that I’m not sure I wanted knocked down. But I also don’t want her to stop.
I thread my fingers through hers and try to focus on the here and now. “Tonight, I want to show you that you deserve good things. Will you let me?”
She nibbles on the corner of her lips. “What do you have in mind?”
“Spend the night with me again.” I tug on the waistband of her jeans, pulling her close. “I can make you breakfast in the morning. Number four on the list.”
She pretends to give that some thought. “Will it involve a berry bar?”
“If that’s what you want.” I’ll go out tonight and hunt through all the grocery stores in the city to get her every type I can find.
“You’re the one who wants the berry bar,” she tosses back.
I roam my fingers across the soft material of her sweater, covering her waist. She lets out a surprised breath, ashuddery one. I fucking love how simple touches undo her. “I want berries, and I want you.”
She inches closer to me. “We’re supposed to make breakfast together.”
“Then you can wash the berries and I’ll eat them.”
She swats my chest, but I grab her hand quickly and kiss her palm. “I’m hearing a yes.”
She glances at the house, then up at the sky, the stars peeking out in the twilight. “If Thor can come.”
I laugh, dropping my head to her neck. “You like me for my cat.”
She slides a hand down the front of my jeans, squeezing. “And this.”
I snap up my gaze. “Let’s go. Now.”
Eager for the rest of the night to begin, we fly up the steps, then rush inside. My dad’s sitting on the couch in the living room, feet up on the table, reading a book, and petting Thor on the cushion next to him.
“Hey, Dad. I’m just going to steal him from you and get out of here.”
“Sure, take an old man’s cat. Real nice,” he says dryly.
“Lake, you’re so mean to take the cat,” Remy chides.
“See if I’m mean when he wakes you up at five-thirty, knocking things off counters, asking to be fed,” I say.
“Fair point. You can have him,” my dad says.
But before I can grab the feline, Gavin strides through the house, nodding my way. “Can you help me with the grain bags in the stables before you go?”
“Course,” I say, even though I’m itching to get the hell out of here.
“Good. I can chat with my son’s new girlfriend while you dostrapping manthings,” Dad says, and my heart twists with guilt. I’m going to disappoint him when this ends. But I’ll dealwith that when it comes. For tonight, I need to show Remy I’m more than a caveman, more than a dragon.
But first I head out to the stables and help my brother move some fifty-pound grain bags. Gavin can lift them solo, but it’s safer to carry them with someone than to risk injury.
When that’s done, I return to the house, where my dad’s saying to Remy, “So he showers you with gifts. That’s very good to know.”
