Zander grabbed her bag and they walked out of the airport. “You okay leaving your vehicle here?”
“I’ll grab my truck on the way back. I can afford six bucks a day.” She smiled. “Shooting Gerard’s courses made all the difference.”
“I hope that job lands you twenty more.” After ushering her into his Range Rover, he snagged one more kiss before setting off toward Starry Cove.
“What did Gerard say when you showed him the shots?”
“He loved them. His wife did, too. She had a better eye for what would work, so she selected most of the photos. He’s already recommended me to two of his friends who own golf clubs in Arizona and California.”
“Nice.”
“If they hire me, I’m hoping I can steal you away for a few days.” She caressed his thigh.
His body heated from her repetitive touch. “I’d be happy to help you.”
“No help needed. I want to take you on a getaway…and play.”
He flashed her a grin. “I’ll play with you.”
“I can’t wait,” she said. “I’m dying for you, baby.”
“Me, too. But we’ve got some business to take care of first.”
“Making me wait for the good stuff, huh?”
He drew her hand to his lips and kissed her soft skin. “I promise it’ll be worth it.”
“You sound pretty confident in your lovemaking abilities, Mr. King. Are yousureyou want to make such a bold claim?”
He chuffed out a laugh. “All the credit goes to you. You bring out the best in me.”
“You charmer you, but I think you have something to do with it.”
He jumped on the Dulles Greenway, heading west. “Did you see Sheldon’s email about Kyle’s remains?”
“Yeah. I like your idea about scattering his ashes in Starry Cove.”
“We’ll do it together.” He held her gaze an extra second before turning back to the road.I’m about to propose we do a lot of things together.
“How’s Kent doing?”
“He’s cut back from sixty hours a week to forty, and he’s taking better care of himself. He and Megan want to have us over for dinner this weekend.”
“Sounds great. What did you tell them about us?”
“Us. I like that.”
Smiling, she shifted in her seat. “Well, we co-own a hundred acres of land, a B&B, oh, and a huge Victorian home. You’ve video chatted me almost every day, you text me all the damn time, and you’ve shared your bad-boy fantasies with me, one of which I was happy to assist you with from afar.”
He grinned at her. “I did share those with you, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did, and they werespicy.” She caressed his whiskered cheek with the back of her fingers. “Did your friends comment on our unconventional relationship?”
“Kent is thrilled for us. Megan couldn’t get over the change in me. She can’t wait to meet you.” He glanced over. “They both agreed with me that our family history is our business. I want you to know if word got out, I would address it. I’m not easily intimidated. You mean more to me than any backlash that might come our way.”
“As an artist, I’ve been subjected to reviews of my work for years. Some criticize my photographs, while others love them. I learned early on, I can’t let their opinions rule my emotions or my life.Youmake me happy. And my happiness is more important than the opinions and biases of others.”
“Well said.”
