There’s that word again, love, making me want to say it back to her but in a different way.
But we have something amazing here, and I don’t want to threaten that.
Chapter Twenty
Kyra
The night is so much clearer out here in the countryside. The stars glitter from a clear sky as Kayden pulls the car up outside the cabin. It sits next to a lake, the star and the moonlight bouncing off the water. The cabin is at the very edge, built on stilts, with a rustic inviting look.
“I can’t believe you only came here once.”
“I know.” He smirks over at me. “I’m the epitome of a wasteful billionaire. If it’s any consolation, I let the local children’s groups use it whenever they go on retreat trips. I’ve also let a few charities use it over the years, most notably a women’s refuge. Sorry… I don’t mean to sound like I’m bragging.”
“You’re not. You don’t.”
“I just want you to know I don’t take any of this for granted,” he says. “When you come from nothing like we did, you can’t afford to let that happen. Ever. I want our children to know how lucky they are.”
I lean against him, resting my head on his shoulder as my arms slide around his body.
I’ll never get tired of feeling how solid he is, brimming with protectiveness and security, making me feel like he’ll never let anything bad happen to us.
“They will, Kayden. We’ll make sure they do. Heck, I feel insanely lucky. It wasn’t that long ago this all would’ve seemed like a dream to me. It still does, a little.”
He slides his fingers through my hair. “You better get used to it. You’re never going to have to worry about money again. I promise you that.”
“You know the phrase, a weight has been lifted? Well, I think I just experienced that. It feels like an actual weight has been taken off my shoulders. But I feel guilty too.”
“Why?”
“Well…” I lean back. “Why do I get this get out of jail free card? Why do I have to stop worrying about money when so many people my age don’t?”
“I understand,” he says. “I felt much the same when my business started to take off. So many of my old Marine buddies aren’t doing great. I do what I can to help them, of course, and I’ve employed many of them in the security wing of the company. But some are too proud. Some have become alcoholics. It’s difficult, knowing there are people out there not as fortunate as you. But you’re a good person. You deserve this. And, anyway, do you really think I’d let my woman go without the best?”
His words bolster me. I smile away the anxiety, shaking my head. “Stop letting me ruin this adventure. Let’s take a look inside.”
He grins and, together, we climb from the car. He goes to the trunk and collects our bags, grabbing them both in one giant hand and carrying them toward the steps. I follow at his side, amazed at how easy it is to forget about the show and all that mess.
Out here, with nothing but the wind and the stars and the quiet for company, it’s like I can pretend no one else exists. It’s just me and Kayden.
“Don’t let me check my phone,” I murmur as we ascend the steps. “I can’t imagine the shit storm that’s going down online right now.”
“Okay, how about this? If you check your phone tonight, I’m throwing it in the lake.”
I giggle as we reach the top of the steps, shooting him a look. “You’d have to catch me first.”
He sets the bags down, a playful twist to his lips. “You don’t think I can?”
I take a step back, feeling suddenly giddy, caught up in the moment. “I’m faster than you think.”
“We’ll see about that…”
I spin and dart to the other end of the decking. Kayden chuckles as he chases after me. We act like total idiots as we run around and around the cabin, and then I stop, panting with a smile on my face.
“Okay, okay, you win.”
“And my prize?”
I look up at him, beating down the voice that tells me I’m not sexy enough, I’m not good enough, or that I’m simply not enough full-stop.
“How about a kiss?” I ask grinning.
“That’s what I was hoping for.”
He grabs my hips roughly, pushing his lips against mine. Our mouths fuse together in that familiar and yet exciting way.
It’s like every kiss is our first.
Our tongues seek each other out eagerly, nerves buzzing around my mouth, down my neck. My nipples harden and tingle, my sex aching. Deep inside, my core pulses in rhythm with my heart, telling me that it’s time.
He breaks the kiss off, peering closely at me. “Are you hungry? We could eat out here and then…”