Page 63 of Pirates in Calusa Cove

She pressed her finger over his lips.

“I’ve been falling for you, too. It wasn’t this thing that happened overnight. I didn’t wake up one morning and think, God, I love this man. It was gradual. Until it wasn’t, and then it hit me like a ton of bricks.”

He couldn’t help it. He smiled. Wide. And his cheeks hurt.

“But honestly, Keaton. Loving you scares me.”

He frowned. “Why?”

She groaned, dropping her head to the center of his chest. “I’ve never felt real love before. Not anything like this. I’ve had boyfriends, but they never last. I’ve been told I’m too much of a princess, or I find out they’re only interested in Daddy’s money. And Charlie, well, I realized how much I didn’t love him when I got pregnant.”

He reached down and cupped her chin. “I get how terrifying love can be. I’ve only felt it twice, and both times, it made me want to jump up and down like a kidwaiting to open presents on his birthday while at the same time wanting to run away as fast as I could.”

“You feel like that now?”

“A little bit.” He chuckled. “I closed myself off to love because of how painful the loss of it can be. At least, that’s why I thought I did. But now, I realize it wasn’t that at all. I closed up because I was afraid I wasn’t worth it.”

“I wish I could say that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard, but my mother has made me feel as though I’m not worthy of love my entire life. I think I’ve chosen men who aren’t capable of love because of that.”

“Well, aren’t we a pair?” He kissed her temple. Her cheek. The soft spot under her earlobe. And then her lips. “I do love you, Trinity.”

“I love you, too.”

He covered her mouth with his in a passionate, meaningful kiss. He nestled between her legs, wrapped his arms around her body, and held her gently. Nothing about this moment would ever be forgotten. Every word would forever be etched into his brain. Every touch. Every kiss. Every swirl of her tongue in his mouth.

He’d never let it go. No matter what happened. He’d die for this woman.

Emotion poured through him, his heart bursting like a dam giving way. It was as if all the pieces of himself that he thought had been lost forever were suddenly found.

The sound of the door lock moving caught his attention.

He jumped, smacking her shoulder.

She groaned.

“Shit. I’m sorry.” He reached for his weapon.

But it was only her father.

Monty stepped through the front door carrying bags of food. “Looks like I interrupted…something.” He laughed. “Please, don’t mind me. Go back to whatever you were doing while I put the food out.”

Trinity blushed and buried her face in his bare chest.

His bare freaking chest. Not to mention, he’d never buttoned his pants, and she was wearing his clothes.

They both probably smelled of sex. Thank God Monty had brought garlic bread because now his house smelled like that.

“I should go put a shirt on,” he mumbled before kissing her again. It was going to be hard not to put his hands and mouth on her every chance he got now.

“Yeah, it’s rude to be at the dinner table like that,” Monty teased.

As awkward as he’d felt a few days ago, it had all disappeared. Monty was a ballbuster, and Keaton loved that about the man. He also respected him and enjoyed his company. The two men had gotten to know each other, and Keaton at least believed Monty thought Keaton was a decent choice for his daughter.

With that thought, Keaton strolled to his room feeling more alive than he had in years.

CHAPTER 13

Later that night,Trinity tucked her hands under her cheek and stared at Keaton. Her life had done a complete one-eighty in less than a week. She’d harbored feelings for Keaton ever since she’d met him, and if she were being totally honest with herself, it was one of the reasons she and Fenton would have never worked out.

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