Page 101 of Moonlit Colorado

“You didn’t have to?—”

He gave me a scolding look, like he was saying,You think I don’t know that?

I reached into the bag and pulled out a small box. It was a new phone.Brandnew, the latest model that I never could’ve afforded. I’d bought my last one used, and it was such an old model it was practically a museum piece.

“Dane…”

“Don’t make a fuss about me buying this for you. You agreed to let me pay for everything on this trip, and we’re still on the trip.”

I still wanted to protest a little bit. Simply because I didn’t expect him to do things like this. He had no obligation to swoop in and fix things for me. Yet he kept doing it.

Except now, we were more than friends. More than a weekend fling. So I brushed aside any remaining discomfort and let myself get excited. “Thank you. This is beyond…anything.” I tilted my chin, and he got the message, leaning in to kiss me.

Then he took the box from my hands and opened it. “I picked the powder blue to match the dress you wore to the rehearsal dinner. Because you looked so stunning in that. But if you prefer, we can switch it out for a different one.”

“No, I love this one. I’ll just have to get it set up.”

“All taken care of. Your old number is transferred over. Same with anything that was on the cloud. You were great about backing that up, so you shouldn’t have lost much.”

“How did you manage all that?”

He shrugged. “I’ve got a guy. But fair warning. If you thought I was spoiling you already, you have no idea what you’re in for.”

I put my arms around his neck and thanked him again. For everything.

After putting on a T-shirt, I crawled under the covers. I didn’t want to show it, but I was worn out and didn’t feel so well anymore. I pushed my face into the pillow.

Then I felt warm fingers sliding through my hair. “Do you need a pain pill?”

“I took ibuprofen. I’ll get through it.”

The mattress compressed as Dane lay down behind me. “I knew guys in the Army who’d be whining nonstop in your shoes. You’re tough.”

“My brothers don’t think so. But I told them I don’t regret getting involved last night, even if it drew Vincent’s attention. I think they’re starting to get it.” I’d had that conversation with Callum, and then a similar one with Ashford after we discovered the photos and video were in my cloud storage. Dane had sent the files to the NYPD detective, as well as Teller back in Silver Ridge.

Dane pressed a kiss to the back of my neck. “I know how strong you are. Howbrave. But I still can’t stand seeing you hurt. It’s…” His hand circled my wrist, not like he was trying to keep me in place, but like he needed to feel anchored himself. “It’s intolerable to see the people I care about suffering and not be able to stop it.”

I knew he was thinking of his mom. When Dane wanted to make something happen, he didn’t hold back, but there were some things that nobody could control.

I pulled his arm forward so it draped over me, ignoring the slight twinge in my ribs. Taking his hand, I placed it over my heart. It beat against his palm. “You’re making me feel better just by being here,” I said.

“I’m not hurting you?”

“I promise, it’s the opposite. I want you close.”

Dane fitted his body against my back and held me. His legs tangled with mine beneath the covers. He’d stripped down to just his boxer briefs, and I felt the hard ridge of his erection as he kept pressing gentle kisses to the side of my face. “Sorry,” he said, pulling back his hips. “Can’t help it.”

“I don’t mind.” I liked knowing how much he wanted me, even if I couldn’t reciprocate right now. “I want to feel all of you. As much as I can.”

He made a growly sound, tongue darting out to suck my earlobe. “You’ll feel all of me again. As soon as you’re better. I know the original plan was for us to head back to Silver Ridge on Monday, but I’d like you to stay here with me for a while. Flying with a concussion could make your symptoms worse.”

The doctor had said something along those lines.

I did want to stay, at least for now. It would be hard to get my work done whether I was here or in Silver Ridge, given my concussion. Same with my volunteer work. If I had to do nothing and heal, I was fine doing it here. So long as I was with Dane.

“I’ll stay for a while. But you don’t need to get back to the ski resort? You said there was a lot to do there. The ski runs will be opening for the season soon.”

“The staff in Silver Ridge is more than able to handle it. I’ll do my part by phone and Zoom. But you’re more important. I plan to be at your beck and call. You’re going to get sick of me.”

---